SWR 455s on the Hounslow loop

[90sWereBetter]

Are there any scheduled services for SWR 455s on the Hounslow loop services nowadays, or are these completely booked for 450s? Would be nice to get a 455 through Chiswick and Isleworth before they are finally withdrawn.

I appreciate they still appear on the southern part of the loop between Clapham Junction and Twickenham as part of the Kingston loop services.

 

[SWT_USER]

Very few if any. 8.455 can't be used on Weybridge services and there aren't many services that actually do the loop these days following SWR's service cuts.

They do pop up on Windsor and Reading services fairly regularly though as SWR have offloaded so much rolling stock they don't have anything else.

 

[TEW]

On a weekday:
2V49 1707 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2S73 2222 Waterloo to Weybridge

On a Sunday:
All the PM only Waterloo-Kingston via Hounslow and Twickenham services.

Also common when services are terminating at Hounslow due to engineering work.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Dec 2023 ==

Very few if any. 8.455 can't be used on Weybridge services and there aren't many services that actually do the loop these days following SWR's service cuts.

They do pop up on Windsor and Reading services fairly regularly though as SWR have offloaded so much rolling stock they don't have anything else.

8-455s haven't been permitted to call at one of the platforms at Datchet since the line was resignalled so they have become far less common to Windsor.

 

[SWT_USER]

On a weekday:
2V49 1707 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2S73 2222 Waterloo to Weybridge

On a Sunday:
All the PM only Waterloo-Kingston via Hounslow and Twickenham services.

Also common when services are terminating at Hounslow due to engineering work.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Dec 2023 ==


8-455s haven't been permitted to call at one of the platforms at Datchet since the line was resignalled so they have become far less common to Windsor.

Thanks for that, I was unaware. Presumably because the usable length of the platform is now shorter?

I guess the upshot of that means they are now more likely on Reading services (for which they are totally unsuited due to lack of toilets).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

On a weekday:
2V49 1707 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2S73 2222 Waterloo to Weybridge

I assume that’s a four car then. I wonder how busy it gets.

 

[cactustwirly]

On a weekday:
2V49 1707 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2S73 2222 Waterloo to Weybridge

On a Sunday:
All the PM only Waterloo-Kingston via Hounslow and Twickenham services.

Also common when services are terminating at Hounslow due to engineering work.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Dec 2023 ==


8-455s haven't been permitted to call at one of the platforms at Datchet since the line was resignalled so they have become far less common to Windsor.

What about the signalling means that 455s can't call there?

 

[43096]

What about the signalling means that 455s can't call there?

I assume it is something like the new signal position means the car stop boards are slightly further back, so an 8-car set has the last car off the platform at the rear. Not a problem with an 8-450 as ASDO means the last car won't open doors, but 455s don't have ASDO.

 

[Ian Hardy]

455708 is currently on the 2R43 1705 Hounslow to London Waterloo
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y03750/2023-12-10/detailed

then it comes back on the 2V51 1820 London Waterloo to Hounslow via Brentford so if you are quick you can get a 455 on Hounslow Loop.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Dec 2023 ==

5731 is going to be on the 1S55 1750 London Waterloo to Hounslow (via Brentford) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y00934/2023-12-10/detailed#allox_id=0 and then later it becomes the 2R55 2005 Hounslow to London Waterloo via Brentford https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y03768/2023-12-10/detailed#allox_id=0 then it becomes the 2V63 2120 London Waterloo to Hounslow via Brentford https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y04249/2023-12-10/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[TEW]

I assume that’s a four car then. I wonder how busy it gets.

It's an 8-car as it then runs empty to Wimbledon Park Depot. The problem platform is Virginia Water in the up direction.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Dec 2023 ==

I assume it is something like the new signal position means the car stop boards are slightly further back, so an 8-car set has the last car off the platform at the rear. Not a problem with an 8-450 as ASDO means the last car won't open doors, but 455s don't have ASDO.

Exactly this. I assume the signal has been moved back because of the proximity to the level crossing and different standards now.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Exactly this. I assume the signal has been moved back because of the proximity to the level crossing and different standards now.

Heard about this a while ago, and thought yet another restriction for the planners and controllers to have to be mindful of. Truth is, as 455's are (theoretically) on their last knockings, there's no way any money will be spent now on extending the platform at the Staines end....

 

[TEW]

Heard about this a while ago, and thought yet another restriction for the planners and controllers to have to be mindful of. Truth is, as 455's are (theoretically) on their last knockings, there's no way any money will be spent now on extending the platform at the Staines end....

It did happen a month or so ago on a weekend that an 8-455 was on a Windsor diagram and the Datchet calls were removed.

 

[AY1975]

Very few if any. 8.455 can't be used on Weybridge services and there aren't many services that actually do the loop these days following SWR's service cuts.

I presume you are referring to the Waterloo-Waterloo via Hounslow service, which I think used to be all day but is now largely peak hours only or at least it stops after about the mid to late morning.

They do pop up on Windsor and Reading services fairly regularly though as SWR have offloaded so much rolling stock they don't have anything else.

Are any Reading services currently officially booked for 455s?

I also started another thread just over a couple of months back on short platforms on the Hounslow Loop: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/hounslow-loop-short-platform-query.255373/

 

[MasterPhillips]

Are any Reading services currently officially booked for 455s?

Yes, the 21:20 from Waterloo to Reading is booked as a 455. Then forms the 23:09 back to London Waterloo from Reading. Which is the last London Waterloo services from Reading.

 

[yorkie]

Reopened for @SWT_USER to provide an update / ask a query

 

[SWT_USER]

Thank you, @yorkie

I was on this service yesterday: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L61888/2024-07-10#allox_id=0

Has something changed to enable 8 coach 455's to work Weybridge via Hounslow services? I understood it wasn't possible due to lack of SDO on these units and a couple of short platforms.

Hopefully it's not going to become a regular occurrence.

 

[Siemens Staines]

I believe 2S73 is still booked 2*455 as per @TEW reply in #3 above. The difference is that this service runs ECS directly from Weybridge to Wimbledon Park and does not return as a passenger train via Chertsey. AFAIK the restriction is 2*455 calling in the Up direction at Virginia Water.

 

[SWT_USER]

I believe 2S73 is still booked 2*455 as per @TEW reply in #3 above. The difference is that this service runs ECS directly from Weybridge to Wimbledon Park and does not return as a passenger train via Chertsey. AFAIK the restriction is 2*455 calling in the Up direction at Virginia Water.

Thanks, that explains it. The 10 minute delay picked up on that service presumably waiting for the main line platform rather than the bay. I thought both platforms were short at Virginia Water.

 

[TEW]

I believe 2S73 is still booked 2*455 as per @TEW reply in #3 above. The difference is that this service runs ECS directly from Weybridge to Wimbledon Park and does not return as a passenger train via Chertsey. AFAIK the restriction is 2*455 calling in the Up direction at Virginia Water.

Indeed, that one is still booked 8-455. Also on Weekdays:
2R15 0845 Waterloo to Waterloo via Richmond and Brentford
2V45 1607 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2V49 1707 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond

 

[Siemens Staines]

2V45 1607 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond

I thought that this one was booked 2*458/5, or is this a forthcoming alteration with the gradual reduction in the number of 458/5 diagrams?

 

[TEW]

I thought that this one was booked 2*458/5, or is this a forthcoming alteration with the gradual reduction in the number of 458/5 diagrams?

Ah yes, you're right. It is currently booked 10-458 but switches to 8-455 in a few weeks.