SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[bb21]

No use having them if the engines keep throwing a wobbly though

Ouch, cheap shot that was

 

[Tourveg]

Thanks for updating the list! Was trying to keep track of how many SWR 455’s had been scrapped now.

One minor thing I’ve spotted, 455907 was scrapped back in August 2022. It was the first unit to head to Newport by rail.

Here is my video of the move scrapping 5907 at Patchway.

 

[fb2126]

Which 455s are going next Tuesday?

Realtime Trains | 5Q76 1035 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) | 28/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q76 1035 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) on 28/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2025 ==

Which 455s are going next Tuesday?

Realtime Trains | 5Q76 1035 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) | 28/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q76 1035 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) on 28/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

*Monday sorry

 

[nctd2306]

Which 455s are going next Tuesday?

Realtime Trains | 5Q76 1035 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) | 28/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q76 1035 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) on 28/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2025 ==


*Monday sorry

I've seen it reported that it's 5915 and 5919 (RIP a unit most would consider "mega")

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Does anyone have the last workings for 5915 and 5919 please?

 

[Leoliontrains]

I've seen it reported that it's 5915 and 5919 (RIP a unit most would consider "mega")

5915 is going to be a hard one for me to watch go, one of my favorites, once they are gone there will be barely any 455/9s left, a dying breed indeed

 

[Siemens Staines]

Does anyone have the last workings for 5915 and 5919 please?

I do not know the exact last workings, but the last dates I have down for these two in passenger service are

5915 08.07.25
5919 12.07.25

According to RTT 5701, which was last reported as donating spares (#2,434) has returned to service today.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I do not know the exact last workings, but the last dates I have down for these two in passenger service are

5915 08.07.25
5919 12.07.25

Thank you

 

[bb21]

I do not know the exact last workings, but the last dates I have down for these two in passenger service are

5915 08.07.25
5919 12.07.25

According to RTT 5701, which was last reported as donating spares (#2,434) has returned to service today.

5915 last journey was 5Y67
5919 was 2G23 when it failed at Surbiton. - then worked back to depot via Hampton Court as 5Z50, the absolute last headcode for unit if you must.

Dates as stated.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

5915 last journey was 5Y67
5919 was 2G23 when it failed at Surbiton. - then worked back to depot via Hampton Court as 5Z50, the absolute last headcode for unit if you must.

Dates as stated.

Thanks @bb21

 

[Razorblades]

I've seen it reported that it's 5915 and 5919 (RIP a unit most would consider "mega")

Apologies for my ignorance, but what could be remarkable about a particular Class 455? Genuine question.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Apologies for my ignorance, but what could be remarkable about a particular Class 455? Genuine question.

Other posts on the forum have suggested that 455 919 had particularly loud motors.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

I've updated the withdrawals list on the front page.

But, just to add for the benefit of members claiming I "can't be bothered" or "haven't got the willingness" to update the list, I do want to add that it was created in 2021, when COVID was still around and I was an 18-year old student with two classes a week. It is now mid-2025 and I have a full time job, small business, master's degree and separate workplace diploma to juggle. If others are lucky enough to have the free time to interact with the thread more regularly, that's great, but my absence is not down to a lack of willingness or laziness.

But it's updated now, anyway. I'm personally looking forward to the fresh uniformity of homogeneous 701 (and 458/4?) operation. The 455s are well past their sell-by date.

458/4s aren't even staying. They're a stopgap for the 701s and are not permanent. Nor will they be needed for longer services. With the cut timetable, 90 701s, 127 450s, 45 444s, 29 159s, and 10 158s are more then enough. So, they'll join the 458/5s in scrap presumably. And it can happen, because y'know. 365s proved it.

 

[mansonlo49]

458/4s aren't even staying. They're a stopgap for the 701s and are not permanent. Nor will they be needed for longer services. With the cut timetable, 90 701s, 127 450s, 45 444s, 29 159s, and 10 158s are more then enough. So, they'll join the 458/5s in scrap presumably. And it can happen, because y'know. 365s proved it.

Then if this the case, how come refurbished them?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Then if this the case, how come refurbished them?

The contract was signed before SWR deemed them surplus to requirements.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jul 2025 ==

458/4s aren't even staying. They're a stopgap for the 701s and are not permanent. Nor will they be needed for longer services. With the cut timetable, 90 701s, 127 450s, 45 444s, 29 159s, and 10 158s are more then enough. So, they'll join the 458/5s in scrap presumably. And it can happen, because y'know. 365s proved it.

Yes, but the 450s lease date is up soon, and SWR may deem it economically viable to keep the 458/4s on and release some 450s. We’ll have to see. It would also make sense to keep them on if they do convert some Desiros to battery operation for the WoEl.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

The contract was signed before SWR deemed them surplus to requirements.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jul 2025 ==


Yes, but the 450s lease date is up soon, and SWR may deem it economically viable to keep the 458/4s on and release some 450s. We’ll have to see. It would also make sense to keep them on if they do convert some Desiros to battery operation for the WoEl.

A fleet of 458/4s and a few 450s wouldn't make the most sense. Why have 2 fleets when you can have a strong fleet of 127 450s that can also work with 444s which 458s can not do in passenger service under any circumstances. And sure, it may be cheaper, but SWR might not care about that and simply go for the more smarter option. 458s are older then 450s too, so, another factor is they have 15 years while 450s have at least another 20 years.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes, but the 450s lease date is up soon, and SWR may deem it economically viable to keep the 458/4s on and release some 450s. We’ll have to see. It would also make sense to keep them on if they do convert some Desiros to battery operation for the WoEl.

But then if the 458/4s can't operate in 12-car formation due to signal sighting issues, as has been asserted here on several occasions, they'd be so restricted as to what services they could be used on they wouldn't be of much use.

 

[bramling]

458/4s aren't even staying. They're a stopgap for the 701s and are not permanent. Nor will they be needed for longer services. With the cut timetable, 90 701s, 127 450s, 45 444s, 29 159s, and 10 158s are more then enough. So, they'll join the 458/5s in scrap presumably. And it can happen, because y'know. 365s proved it.

Does seem to be the case these days that we have the rolling stock equivalent of the old saying about signal boxes being painted. If a fleet gets money spent on refurbishment, expect to see it appear in a scrap yard before too long. 365, 442, Renatus 321, 458/4 possibly.

 

[mansonlo49]

The contract was signed before SWR deemed them surplus to requirements.

Thanks for the reply, so all was before the reduce?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

A fleet of 458/4s and a few 450s wouldn't make the most sense. Why have 2 fleets when you can have a strong fleet of 127 450s that can also work with 444s which 458s can not do in passenger service under any circumstances. And sure, it may be cheaper, but SWR might not care about that and simply go for the more smarter option. 458s are older then 450s too, so, another factor is they have 15 years while 450s have at least another 20 years.

Hahahahahahaha, good one.
Such beautiful innocence!

 

[HamworthyGoods]

If a fleet gets money spent on refurbishment, expect to see it appear in a scrap yard before too long. 365, 442, Renatus 321, 458/4 possibly

Add in 309s to that which didn’t last very long after their heavy refurbishment in the late 1980s.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Hahahahahahaha, good one.
Such beautiful innocence!

Remember, your thinking about First MR'S SWR. This is a different SWR now. Operated by a different man now. It wouldn't make much sense to retain older Class 458/4s when they can simply have 1 unified strong fleet of Class 450s. Besides, they're not THAT bad with their 3+2 seating. There's worse trains with it.

 

[reddragon]

Add in 309s to that which didn’t last very long after their heavy refurbishment in the late 1980s.

That was because the January 1987 powder snow trashed much of their electrical equipment that they never recovered from, followed by class 321 introduction & the unexpected transfer in of 321/4s spare from the WCML.

 

[Class455]

Any idea which 455’s are heading off for scrap today?

 

[SEtrains]

Any idea which 455’s are heading off for scrap today?

5915/5919 I believe

 

[WarrenTManager]

5915/5919 I believe

5861/5859. Reaper is 37884 for a change.

 

[Siemens Staines]

Before someone asks, the last dates that I have down for 5859 & 5861 in passenger service are;

5859 15.04.25
5861 19.06.25

 

[SEtrains]

5861/5859. Reaper is 37884 for a change.

Oh. That’s a surprise. 5915 and 5919 at a later date? I didn’t even know that 5861 had been withdrawn

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

Good evening, I have heard that 455904 has been withdrawn. Is this the case?

 

[WarrenTManager]

Oh. That’s a surprise. 5915 and 5919 at a later date? I didn’t even know that 5861 had been withdrawn

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

Good evening, I have heard that 455904 has been withdrawn. Is this the case?

5904? Yes, it has. Goes tomorrow with 5867 to Newport.

 

[MatthewE707]

Any news on 5869? I know it came back to Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago but I don’t believe it has re-entered service yet.