SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[Sun Chariot]

Are these the ones that were removed as part of the /4 conversion project?

Yes, in post #2034 you can see the "bonded" windows which the 460s had, vs the framed windows of the 458s when new.

 

[150249]

Thanks for this. Is it possible to confirm that status/location of these?
I think (?):

• 5704 and 5726 at Long Marston
• 5740, 5847, 5855, 5907 and 5918 cut by Sims Newport
• 57822, 5736 and 5917 unsure

Can anyone help?

TIA

Were 704 and 726 not cut up?

 

[47444]

I don’t think there are any 455s at Long Marston.

5722 went to Newport
Half of 5917 went to Newport half went to Beeston someone told me.

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2025 ==

5736 was carted off to Newport for the chop in two batches some time in the 2nd quarter of 2022-I have dashcam footage somewhere of it passing me on the M25!

Thanks

 

[Jamesrob637]

Anybody have any idea how many centre cars have been scrapped, be it at Stoke-on-Trent or elsewhere?

 

[The_Train]

Looks like 455906 has bitten the bullet and been sent to Unimetals

 

[Siemens Staines]

455906 was in passenger service less than a month ago. It's last passenger working appears to be vice 701 on 2J92 on 14.01.25

Realtime Trains | 2J92 0752 Surbiton to London Waterloo | 14/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 2J92 0752 departure from Surbiton to London Waterloo on 14/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

Ref Post 2044 & "Centre cars" - I think you are talking about 458s, this string seems to be about 455s.
The 458 centre cars have indeed been carted off for scrap to SCD Middlewich - this place is not rail connected but has taken quite a few rail items of late (including locomotives).

 

[Mr T]

Just been past Wimbledon and there's a 455 coach on a lorry and another one in position to be loaded. Would these be the other coaches from 5906 or a completely different unit?

 

[The_Train]

Just been past Wimbledon and there's a 455 coach on a lorry and another one in position to be loaded. Would these be the other coaches from 5906 or a completely different unit?

I'd seen info suggesting 2 carriages had previously moved so it would make sense for these ones you've seen to be the other half of 5906

 

[Mr T]

I'd seen info suggesting 2 carriages had previously moved so it would make sense for these ones you've seen to be the other half of 5906

Thank you.

 

[Bikeman78]

455906 was in passenger service less than a month ago. It's last passenger working appears to be vice 701 on 2J92 on 14.01.25

Realtime Trains | 2J92 0752 Surbiton to London Waterloo | 14/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 2J92 0752 departure from Surbiton to London Waterloo on 14/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Are there any others in imminent danger? I guess 5906 was due a C6 overhaul.

 

[Deepgreen]

Just been past Wimbledon and there's a 455 coach on a lorry and another one in position to be loaded. Would these be the other coaches from 5906 or a completely different unit?

I continue to bemoan the fact that scrap coaches (that are presumably not so damaged as to be un-railworthy) can't/won't be moved away by rail in batches rather than on various huge lorries. The railway seems to have become so inflexible.

 

[WarrenTManager]

It wasn’t going to be fit for rail after it was robbed.

It has to be justified if there is a want to send a running unit by road as at the moment a four car is cheaper by rail, I believe. But it is fought for at times if parts are wanted to keep service going that then makes them unrailworthy. And at the moment they won’t go in batches as they fall off in dribs and drabs.

Get negative posts for short forms, get negative posts for harvesting spares and needing lorries. It’s an incredibly thankless forum at times.

 

[gmaguire]

Get negative posts for short forms, get negative posts for harvesting spares and needing lorries. It’s an incredibly thankless forum at times.

With us just being enthusiasts, we don’t know how things really work. That’s why it’s nice when someone like you can fill in the blanks for us. A big thank you for your contributions.

 

[D7672]

Other 2 cars of 5906 went to Beeston for scrapping

 

[The_Train]

With us just being enthusiasts, we don’t know how things really work. That’s why it’s nice when someone like you can fill in the blanks for us. A big thank you for your contributions.

I second this. I know there are a small percentage of enthusiasts who think they know everything and will even argue with rail staff over things, but I love to learn about the inner workings of rail operations and @WarrenTManager certainly helps with that with his insightful posts on here

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Get negative posts for short forms, get negative posts for harvesting spares and needing lorries. It’s an incredibly thankless forum at times.

Insightful posts from yourself on here, yes I and other SWR locals are very thankful of - SWRs woeful service, however, nope not thankful at all, and neither have we any cause to be. Why on earth would short forms be a positive thing? And spares are only needed because they’re six years late delivering the replacement stock. Its justified criticism of SWR. Not of the workers trying to solve SWR’s mess. Just SWR in general.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Yup we appreciate you keeping these units in service.

 

[gmaguire]

A couple of interesting observations:

Today and yesterday 2O09 0700 London Waterloo to London Waterloo was 4-455 vice 8

Also today 2K41 1527 London Waterloo to London Waterloo was 458530 vice 8-455

I haven’t been on a 458/5 in ages and the trains weren’t crowded so I’m not complaining.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Today and yesterday 2O09 0700 London Waterloo to London Waterloo was 4-455 vice 8

No idea about the diagrams of today, but in my era this was a Clapham Yard start, and later (as I understand) a Wimbledon Park start, and so if short of serviceable units from previous evening for whatever reason, the thinking on the ground will (likely) have been, better a 4 car than a cancellation.

 

[gmaguire]

No idea about the diagrams of today, but in my era this was a Clapham Yard start, and later (as I understand) a Wimbledon Park start, and so if short of serviceable units from previous evening for whatever reason, the thinking on the ground will (likely) have been, better a 4 car than a cancellation.

That makes sense. Yesterday there were problems because a person was hit by a train. 2O09 was terminated at CLJ because of that. Not sure about the day before though.

 

[Bikeman78]

It's getting pretty desperate. There were at least two solo 455s today, including 5902 on the 1712 to Shepperton. It left a lot of people behind at Clapham Junction. Only six late at Shepperton and one late coming back. Ironically, the 701 on the 1743 via Richmond had a far worse run. The 1742 via Norbiton was held at Teddington for 15 minutes. Most bizarre.

I've been tootling around on the 455s for two days. Far from falling apart, most of them seem fine. I've been on around 40 units. One had one cold coach, and another had a rust patch below the windscreen. Other than that, they were all warm and running well.

 

[Goldfish62]

I've been tootling around on the 455s for two days. Far from falling apart, most of them seem fine. I've been on around 40 units. One had one cold coach, and another had a rust patch below the windscreen. Other than that, they were all warm and running well.

I hardly think you can make a judgement on their condition just by riding on one! Clearly those in the know say they're struggling, particularly in respect of sourcing parts, and they haven't been sent away for corrosion repairs just for show.

 

[nctd2306]

I've been tootling around on the 455s for two days. Far from falling apart, most of them seem fine. I've been on around 40 units. One had one cold coach, and another had a rust patch below the windscreen. Other than that, they were all warm and running well.

I think when you look at the ever decreasing availability and the number of units that are considered long term out of use, it becomes apparent how badly they are struggling. I can think of at least four units yet to work this year, one was recently scrapped, and many others don't seem to be able to last a week without multiple "days off" out of use.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I think when you look at the ever decreasing availability and the number of units that are considered long term out of use, it becomes apparent how badly they are struggling. I can think of at least four units yet to work this year, one was recently scrapped, and many others don't seem to be able to last a week without multiple "days off" out of use.

Maybe it would appropriate to say that when they’re in service they are *really* in service but when they’re out of service they are *really* out of service

 

[Siemens Staines]

I think when you look at the ever decreasing availability and the number of units that are considered long term out of use, it becomes apparent how badly they are struggling. I can think of at least four units yet to work this year, one was recently scrapped, and many others don't seem to be able to last a week without multiple "days off" out of use.

I make it five that have not worked passenger services in 2025, 455711, 455715, 455742, 455871, 455904 although the latter has worked an ECS.

This morning looks like it has been the worst it has been for some time for availability, with only 51 455s in service for their 60 diagrams, with seven 4v8 and one 5v8. This is in no way a criticism of those struggling to meet this challenge, but I think that it is a more a reflection on the lack of their replacement fleet.

Train Formation Updates
06:39 London Waterloo to Dorking due 07:33
07:48 Dorking to London Waterloo due 08:48
09:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 10:09
10:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 11:37
11:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 12:23
12:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 13:10
13:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 14:08
14:33 Woking to London Waterloo due 15:22
15:33 London Waterloo to Guildford due 16:39
16:58 Guildford to London Waterloo due 18:16
18:24 London Waterloo to Dorking due 19:17
19:32 Dorking to London Waterloo due 20:25
22:24 London Waterloo to Dorking due 23:14
23:32 Dorking to London Waterloo due 00:28
00:42 London Waterloo to Strawberry Hill due 01:21
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455741)

06:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 07:13
07:20 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 07:57
08:04 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 08:43
08:50 London Waterloo to Woking due 09:38
10:03 Woking to London Waterloo due 10:52
11:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 12:09
12:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 13:37
13:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 14:23
14:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 15:10
15:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 16:08
16:33 Woking to London Waterloo due 17:22
17:33 London Waterloo to Guildford due 18:39
19:04 Guildford to London Waterloo due 20:07
21:04 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 21:40
21:54 London Waterloo to Guildford due 23:02
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455902)

06:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 07:40
07:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 08:24
08:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 09:13
09:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 10:08
10:33 Woking to London Waterloo due 11:22
11:33 London Waterloo to Guildford due 12:39
13:04 Guildford to London Waterloo due 14:08
14:17 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 14:53
15:04 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 15:40
15:50 London Waterloo to Woking due 16:40
17:03 Woking to London Waterloo due 17:52
18:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 19:09
19:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 20:37
20:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 21:24
21:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 22:10
22:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 23:08
23:37 Guildford to London Waterloo due 00:36
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455721)

06:28 Guildford to London Waterloo due 07:48
08:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 09:09
09:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 10:37
10:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 11:23
11:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 12:10
12:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 13:08
13:32 Woking to London Waterloo due 14:22
14:33 London Waterloo to Guildford due 15:39
16:04 Guildford to London Waterloo due 17:07
17:17 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 17:54
18:04 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 18:40
18:50 London Waterloo to Woking due 19:41
20:03 Woking to London Waterloo due 20:52
21:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 22:09
22:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 23:40
23:50 London Waterloo to Woking due 00:40
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455848)

06:50 London Waterloo to Guildford due 07:47
08:04 Guildford to London Waterloo due 09:10
09:17 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 09:54
10:04 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 10:40
10:50 London Waterloo to Woking due 11:38
12:03 Woking to London Waterloo due 12:52
13:03 London Waterloo to Guildford due 14:09
14:34 Guildford to London Waterloo due 15:37
15:47 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 16:23
16:34 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 17:10
17:20 London Waterloo to Woking due 18:12
18:32 Woking to London Waterloo due 19:22
19:33 London Waterloo to Guildford due 20:39
21:04 Guildford to London Waterloo due 22:07
22:17 London Waterloo to Chessington South due 22:53
23:08 Chessington South to London Waterloo due 23:46
23:53 London Waterloo to Guildford due 01:00
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455725)

07:02 Woking to London Waterloo due 07:45
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455737)

06:18 Epsom to London Waterloo due 06:56
07:06 London Waterloo to Hampton Court due 07:43
07:53 Hampton Court to London Waterloo due 08:33
08:54 London Waterloo to Guildford due 10:02
10:45 Guildford to London Waterloo due 11:55
12:06 London Waterloo to Hampton Court due 12:43
12:54 Hampton Court to London Waterloo due 13:31
13:54 London Waterloo to Guildford due 15:02
15:28 Guildford to London Waterloo due 16:46
17:06 London Waterloo to Hampton Court due 17:45
17:54 Hampton Court to London Waterloo due 18:31
18:54 London Waterloo to Guildford due 20:12
20:45 Guildford to London Waterloo due 21:55
22:06 London Waterloo to Hampton Court due 22:43
22:54 Hampton Court to London Waterloo due 23:31
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8. (455705)

05:30 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 06:49
06:57 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 08:21
08:30 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 09:51
09:57 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 11:16
11:30 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 12:49
12:57 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 14:16
14:30 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 15:49
15:57 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 17:16
17:30 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 18:51
21:20 London Waterloo to Reading due 22:42
18:09 Reading to London Waterloo due 19:33 (typo 2C60 vice 2C80)
00:40 London Waterloo to Guildford due 01:23
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 8. (458530)

 

[nctd2306]

Lucky that it's a Friday and fewer people will be going into the office, during the midweek there's no way they could get away with that

@Siemens Staines has 455718 worked this year? That's another one I haven't seen in service for a while

 

[Siemens Staines]

Lucky that it's a Friday and fewer people will be going into the office, during the midweek there's no way they could get away with that

@Siemens Staines has 455718 worked this year? That's another one I haven't seen in service for a while

Yes, but only just. 455718 was last in passenger service on 06.01.25

Realtime Trains | 2C16 0709 Reading to London Waterloo | 06/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 2C16 0709 departure from Reading to London Waterloo on 06/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[nctd2306]

Yes, but only just. 455718 was last in passenger service on 06.01.25

Realtime Trains | 2C16 0709 Reading to London Waterloo | 06/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 2C16 0709 departure from Reading to London Waterloo on 06/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks, seems like it might be a while until we see it again then.
Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago, I rode 455727 to work and it's motor sounded out on its feet (or wheels perhaps ), it then appeared to break down later in the week and hasn't been out since, possibly awaiting repairs to the motor did it have some other issue?

 

[adc82140]

This could be relieved a little by getting the remaining 458/4s in service. What's the issue holding that up?