SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[Class450/4DES]

So looks like no 455 or 456 units (including 455868) will survive.

I thought half of 5868 was partially preserved and was going to be put on display at Basingstoke whilst the other was half was to be used by the fire brigade for training?

 

[Rich the Eagle]

Seen from realtimetrains saying that the four sets used on yesterday tour, also operate today, and 530, 533 also out too

Thanks for spotting this, I've updated the post!

 

[43096]

Thanks. But they do look similar to a 455.

They don’t. The difference is very noticeable with the ex-508 trailer in the 455/7 units.

 

[mansonlo49]

Thanks for spotting this, I've updated the post!

I just realised it by searching the individual unit in the search box

 

[Invincible]

I thought half of 5868 was partially preserved and was going to be put on display at Basingstoke whilst the other was half was to be used by the fire brigade for training?

Possible they may still get one of the cleaned units used for the tour, currently at Wimbledon?

 

[DelW]

So looks like no 455 or 456 units (including 455868) will survive.

It's hardly surprising. The SWR 455s were heavily modified from their original form, with interiors and traction kit completely replaced within the last 20 years. The history of EMU preservation isn't encouraging, and the 455 interior isn't likely to appeal to the family day-out market on a heritage line.

Thanks. But they do look similar to a 455.

Up to a point, Lord Copper. The doors are in the same place, but the roof, body profile and windows are different, and less visibly, the construction is completely different (aluminium vs steel).

 

[nctd2306]

Today, both 2C16 and 2U16 (for those who aren't aware, these two services follow each other about 10 minutes apart from Staines) were single 458s, I know it's the week before Christmas and 701s are in short supply but that really isn't good enough, I dread to think of the how many people between Staines and Clapham wouldn't have been able to board either train, this is also the 5th working day in a row that 2C16, one of the busiest Windsor side services of the day has been 4 or 5 car.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

And the passengers will benefit from a shiny clean pair of 455s today....

 

[Siemens Staines]

I notice that 0O87 to Wimbledon Park has run this morning, presumably with 37884. With 5 pairs of 455 in passenger service this morning and 5716 on an exam, that only leaves two 455s unaccounted for. Assuming 5Q57 runs, then it must be 5710 & 5737, or possibly just one of them?

 

[WWTownEnth]

Amy sign of a scrap drag today (or this week)?

 

[Class15]

Amy sign of a scrap drag today (or this week)?

It’s just been discussed.

 

[cduncan]

Surprisingly caught 3 pairs at once. Them two on the left both vice 10 701.

 

[Invincible]

Today, both 2C16 and 2U16 (for those who aren't aware, these two services follow each other about 10 minutes apart from Staines) were single 458s, I know it's the week before Christmas and 701s are in short supply but that really isn't good enough, I dread to think of the how many people between Staines and Clapham wouldn't have been able to board either train, this is also the 5th working day in a row that 2C16, one of the busiest Windsor side services of the day has been 4 or 5 car.

Although today and tomorrow are working days, no school traffic and many have taken leave, so may not be too bad?
Ideally back to 8 or 10 car trains January?

 

[Class319&373]

Realtime Trains | 5Q57 1017 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q57 1017 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q57 seems to be cancelled

Realtime Trains | 0Q57 1017 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q57 1017 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is 0Q57 just 37884 on its own?

 

[D365]

Possible they may still get one of the cleaned units used for the tour, currently at Wimbledon?

Who is ’they’?

 

[wickham]

Realtime Trains | 5Q57 1017 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q57 1017 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q57 seems to be cancelled

Realtime Trains | 0Q57 1017 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q57 1017 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is 0Q57 just 37884 on its own?

0Q57 is a light engine, but even this does not seem to have left yet (timed at 1030):

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Cancelled at request of train operator

 

[Class319&373]

RTT is lagging a bit, 0Q57 is confirmed just 37884, and it's already passed Mitre Bridge Junction.

 

[Invincible]

Who is ’they’?

See post #3961 for the speculation
Unlike the 150, Porterbrook has not made any statement about who is interested in a 455.

 

[Rich the Eagle]

RTT is lagging a bit, 0Q57 is confirmed just 37884, and it's already passed Mitre Bridge Junction.

Here it is at Clapham Jct. Apparently a lack of siding space in Derby is the reason for the cancellation of the Class 455 drag.

 

[sad1e]

Here it is at Clapham Jct. Apparently a lack of siding space in Derby is the reason for the cancellation of the Class 455 drag.

So it all comes back to sims having gone bust.

Can Roscos send stock to multiple different scrapyards or are they only able to sign a scrapping contract with one at once. If they could sign multiple Porterbrook would really benefit from that now.

 

[wickham]

So it all comes back to sims having gone bust.

Can Roscos send stock to multiple different scrapyards or are they only able to sign a scrapping contract with one at once. If they could sign multiple Porterbrook would really benefit from that now.

It will be noted that SE Networkers have gone to at least three different yards, Newport, EMR Kingsbury and Booth Rotherham, so the answer to the question is yes, they can go to different scrappies, but it all depends on contracts. A contract might specify "complete fleet" (as in most LT disposals), a certain ammount of carriages (might not be all the same type) or on an "as required" basis. It will also be noted that some odd cars (153s for instance) have gone to non-mainstreem yards (by road). Some yards do not have much siding space and others none at all, so it all depends upon various factors.

 

[35B]

So it all comes back to sims having gone bust.

Can Roscos send stock to multiple different scrapyards or are they only able to sign a scrapping contract with one at once. If they could sign multiple Porterbrook would really benefit from that now.

@wickham answers most of this, but I’d also suggest there’s another factor - the availability of scrapyards and owner negotiators to sort out an alternative. The collapse of Unimetals has hit capacity across the industry, not just one yard.

The scrappies will have their own challenges processing and selling scrap, so may have limited capacity themselves.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I guess Raxstar at Eastleigh are no longer trading (?) They've been known to cut a few vehicles.

 

[Rich the Eagle]

5716 is also coming out to play this evening, on the Shepperton line. I've updated my main post with the diagram.

 

[wickham]

I guess Raxstar at Eastleigh are no longer trading (?) They've been known to cut a few vehicles.

Raxstar at Eastleigh scrapped quite a lot of stock (313s, 442s, 317s, LT stock and lots more) but they no longer trade at Eastleigh. I was told that they relocated to Cardiff but I can not confirm this.

 

[adc82140]

There must be reasons why Long Marston isn't being used for storage while they await scrap, as per the 456s. Perhaps the 350s are taking up most of the available space.

 

[sad1e]

There must be reasons why Long Marston isn't being used for storage while they await scrap, as per the 456s. Perhaps the 350s are taking up most of the available space.

Even if 350's were taking up most of the space wouldn't they still have quite a lot of space due to the 701 max exodus.

 

[Stephen42]

So it all comes back to sims having gone bust.

Can Roscos send stock to multiple different scrapyards or are they only able to sign a scrapping contract with one at once. If they could sign multiple Porterbrook would really benefit from that now.

The other thing is that each scrapyard will offer their own price for the contract. Agreeing to multiple contracts while often increasing capacity may mean accepting a lower price than the best bidder. Yes they'd get the cash earlier, but provided the company has good cashflow a higher price over a slightly longer time will usually win out.

There must be reasons why Long Marston isn't being used for storage while they await scrap, as per the 456s. Perhaps the 350s are taking up most of the available space.

The rail magazine article stated that Opus Group would be scrapping them at a facility near Derby. Holding them at Derby Litchurch Lane temporarily if they are leaving by road from there avoids having a 2nd rail drag and would expect is more cost effective.

 

[73Stock]

And the passengers will benefit from a shiny clean pair of 455s today....

Very nice indeed! I went for a ride on 5712 today.