Class 458/5

[Monty]

actually, they will be geared for 75 mph, so I don't know what will happen.
They should of just kept the original gearing and made the line 100mph between Virginia water and Reading, so they could have a new fast service.

Quite a bit of route would need re-signalling for any increase in speed limit, plus the line being a commuter route and all it would make very little sence to have trains that miss out alot of the stops..

 

[Matt Taylor]

A Reading-Wokingham-Ascot-Staines-Richmond-Clapham-Waterloo is the minimum number of stops for a useful service but it would still be very uncompetitive compared the GWML.

 

[TEW]

Pathing would be a huge problem closer to London as well, the service would likely just get slowed down behind a stopper.

 

[Goldfish62]

Any update on when 458 531/2 are being delivered? Last info was that they were delayed by about two months and were now expected late May/early June. Has this slipped again?

 

[ChampsRacing]

Latest update is first delivery they are hoping is july time but not in service until september on our last bulletin release.

 

[Goldfish62]

Latest update is first delivery they are hoping is july time but not in service until september on our last bulletin release.

Well late then. Probably explains why no one seems in any hurry to complete the Windsor lines platform extensions.

 

[Monty]

Well late then. Probably explains why no one seems in any hurry to complete the Windsor lines platform extensions.

To my knowledge other than Windsor & Eton Roverside itself there will be no further platform extensions at Datchet, Sunnymeads or Wraysbury.

 

[swt_passenger]

To my knowledge other than Windsor & Eton Roverside itself there will be no further platform extensions at Datchet, Sunnymeads or Wraysbury.

That's correct as per the CP4 plans.

Perhaps Goldfish62 could clarify whether he meant the whole of the 'Windsor side', or just the branch. There's little point complaining about them not starting work yet if it isn't even in the plans...

 

[TEW]

The Windsor line extensions are pretty much done now AFAIK. Work has started now on Mainline extensions.

 

[Goldfish62]

That's correct as per the CP4 plans.

Perhaps Goldfish62 could clarify whether he meant the whole of the 'Windsor side', or just the branch. There's little point complaining about them not starting work yet if it isn't even in the plans...

I find that comment unwarranted and am surprised that I have to elaborate.

To answer your question, neither. The Windsor lines incorporate more than just Staines to Windsor or Waterloo to Windsor.

Whether you believe me or not, there are stations such as Twickenham and Queenstown Road where the work is not yet finished. I was merely suggesting that had the trains been on time this work would have already been completed.

 

[ChampsRacing]

Twickenham was delayed for reasons other than the delay to the rolling stock, queenstown road is practically ready as is wandsworth town and barnes. Barnes Bridge, Chiswick and Brentford are also near completion too.

 

[swt_passenger]

Twickenham was delayed for reasons other than the delay to the rolling stock, queenstown road is practically ready as is wandsworth town and barnes. Barnes Bridge, Chiswick and Brentford are also near completion too.

Twickenham and nearly every other station was listed as completed as of Mar 2013 (or earlier such as Dec 12) in the details on page 116 of the latest NR CP4 update published in April.

NR getting ahead of reality? Or a they declaring Grip 6 complete before minor TOC platform stuff is done, such as signage and stuff?

 

[Goldfish62]

Well, I pass through all these stations twice every day and can assure you that they're not finished. For sure it's only minor work, but with hoardings still blocking off the platform extensions, lighting not fully functioning, CCTV not installed and new stop boards yet to appear they're clearly not finished.

Indeed, Richmond, which had appeared to be complete has just had the hoardings re-erected, blocking off the platform extensions!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Twickenham was delayed for reasons other than the delay to the rolling stock, queenstown road is practically ready as is wandsworth town and barnes. Barnes Bridge, Chiswick and Brentford are also near completion too.

Queenstown Road is an odd one as the platform extensions go beyond the newly-sited signals and in the up direction also the turn-out on to the Windsor reversible. I wonder if special instructions will apply here.

 

[455driver]

Queenstown Road is an odd one as the platform extensions go beyond the newly-sited signals and in the up direction also the turn-out on to the Windsor reversible. I wonder if special instructions will apply here.

On the up they have extended the other end to ensure you stop clear.

 

[David Goddard]

Pathing would be a huge problem closer to London as well, the service would likely just get slowed down behind a stopper.

Would still bring some benefits, particularly for those of us at the Berkshire end of the line! Would suggest adding Bracknell to the pattern though.

Introducing fast services along this route would be possible if there was a rebuild at Twickenham to reopening P2 as a through platform.

 

[Goldfish62]

Would still bring some benefits, particularly for those of us at the Berkshire end of the line! Would suggest adding Bracknell to the pattern though.

Quite - apart from Reading, Bracknell is easily the largest town on the line outside London and is a large centre of employment.

 

[southern442]

Quite a bit of route would need re-signalling for any increase in speed limit, plus the line being a commuter route and all it would make very little sence to have trains that miss out alot of the stops..

Maybe they should just have it 90 mph between Richmond and Clapham. Makes sense because the only fast trains that go along that strip are 100mph emus.

 

[455driver]

Maybe they should just have it 90 mph between Richmond and Clapham. Makes sense because the only fast trains that go along that strip are 100mph emus.

You going to pick the trains up when they end up in peoples back gardens?

There are very good reasons why the line speeds are what they are.

 

[Phillipimo]

They looked better in SWT white!

 

[cj_1985]

They looked better in SWT white!

I thought the Junipers look/looked pretty good in SWT white too...
but atleast they will look better than they would in SWT Red... unless you would have liked having to wear your sunglasses every time one pulled into the station

 

[Monty]

Maybe they should just have it 90 mph between Richmond and Clapham. Makes sense because the only fast trains that go along that strip are 100mph emus.

That's not quite correct, Class 455 units (which have a top speed of 75mph) use this stretch of track on a daily basis for the 'Kingston Loop' and peak services to Shepperton via Richmond. That's excluding weekends where 455's often deputise for 450s and 458s on the Reading/Windsor line.

 

[Goldfish62]

You going to pick the trains up when they end up in peoples back gardens?

There are very good reasons why the line speeds are what they are.

Not least the reverse curve through Mortlake!

 

[southern442]

Not least the reverse curve through Mortlake!

I suppose so, but I think that the 458s are a waste of 100mph. Should just be used on the Portsmouth line, and the reading line could just use the 450s +455s, that are much better suited to that route.

Another thing is that I think that set are treating the reading line like it's inner suburban, when actually it is only a few miles shorter than the Brighton line.

 

[Andrewlong]

When are we expecting increased capacity on the Reading to Waterloo line? Even with 10 coach trains, they are so crowded you sometimes cannot get on at Clapham Junction in the evening.

 

[swt_passenger]

When are we expecting increased capacity on the Reading to Waterloo line? Even with 10 coach trains, they are so crowded you sometimes cannot get on at Clapham Junction in the evening.

10 car to Reading is set to be later on in CP5. (2014-19) It is yet to be confirmed, but the DfT's HLOS 'illustrative options' cover the remaining platform extensions ie west of Virginia Water. You're probably aware Reading is already 12 car capable.

By next May there are supposed to be a couple of extra peak trains on the route, the times etc were in an SWT press release way back.

 

[TEW]

I suppose so, but I think that the 458s are a waste of 100mph. Should just be used on the Portsmouth line, and the reading line could just use the 450s +455s, that are much better suited to that route.

I don't see how 450s are any more or less suitable than 458s. They're effectively the same product from different manufacturers. 455s aren't suitable for Reading because of the lack of toilets on what is a long journey.

 

[455driver]

I suppose so, but I think that the 458s are a waste of 100mph. Should just be used on the Portsmouth line, and the reading line could just use the 450s +455s, that are much better suited to that route.

Another thing is that I think that set are treating the reading line like it's inner suburban, when actually it is only a few miles shorter than the Brighton line.

458s are not 100mph units.
The Portsmouth line is not 100mph either!

Reading is not going to 10 coach operation yet.
Not a good idea put 2 different trains with 2 different couplings on the same route!
What happens when one fails and the trains either side are not compatible?

 

[Uzair]

I went to the Meet the Manager event at Waterloo yesterday and asked someone about when the 458/5s are coming into service. He said that the 460s from Gatwick Express they have received have a lot of rust work that is being sorted out hence the delay.

 

[Goldfish62]

10 car to Reading is set to be later on in CP5. (2014-19) It is yet to be confirmed, but the DfT's HLOS 'illustrative options' cover the remaining platform extensions ie west of Virginia Water. You're probably aware Reading is already 12 car capable.

By next May there are supposed to be a couple of extra peak trains on the route, the times etc were in an SWT press release way back.

Wokingham down platform is also 12 car. It was extended when the station area was resignalled a couple of years ago.

You have to wonder if the extreme lateness of 458/5 deliveries will put in doubt the extra services from the May 2014 timetable.

 

[southern442]

this is a sort of reply to TEW and 455driver. As I mentioned before, SWT are treating the Reading line as if it's inner-suburban. The 450/5's are standard class only, and have toilets, so therefore are perfect for the Reading line. The 458's are 90 MPH gearing I believe, so that means they would be excellent for the Portsmouth direct line, plus they have first class, so that is a bonus.