(Devil's advocate) - and yet, before they were messed with, pretty sure the 458s outperformed every Siemens unit on the network for reliability, yet the 700 introduction is still marred by poor reliability a year after introduction into service.
In principle you may be right, but the above anecdote does suggest that reliability is as much about implementation than the quality of the delivered hardware.
I'll give you that, when the 444/450s first arrived they were diabolical, despite Siemens saying that they'll work perfectly "out of the box", but a lot of hard work behind the scenes has gone on to get them right and I can't think of a time when I've needed assistance with a Siemens unit.
However the 458s were worse as many know they were 4-JOP and they became known as 4 Jump Out & Push. I've not touched one for going on 3 years or so now and it's unlikely I'll ever drive them again.
The reason that 455s have done so well is because they were a basic unit with no fancy technology on them, basic 3 step braking (4 step now with enhanced emergency) and camshaft control which allowed you to hand notch them away in trying conditions. The new traction system will soon resort in my taking a trip to the chiropractor for a back or a trip to A&E for the times that they lurch forward as you come to a stand and nearly put you into the desk or windscreen.
I can't wait to see what the replacement will be like. It most certainly can't get any worse.
hock:
