Desiro on Hampton court stopper

[TrainTube]

Today, the 2J26 1024 Hampton Court to Waterloo was formed of 2 class 450s. I was wondering how often SWR do this, and why they did this instead of using a 455/456.

 

[NSE]

I’ve seen 450 Desiros cover suburban stuff every so often. I guess just ad hoc when there’s a fault or something unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any bound for Chessington or Epsom way but that certainly isn’t to say that haven’t been. Before the 707’s came online the 450’s had a booked Shepperton turn (I think week day evenings) via Wimbledon for a short while.
On a drunken return from the pub from Wimbledon to Raynes Park I stumbled onto platform 8 and was greeted by a 444 forming a stopper. Never seen 444’s covering suburban stuff before that and haven’t again since!

 

[swt_passenger]

I’ve seen 450 Desiros cover suburban stuff every so often. I guess just ad hoc when there’s a fault or something unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any bound for Chessington or Epsom way but that certainly isn’t to say that haven’t been. Before the 707’s came online the 450’s had a booked Shepperton turn (I think week day evenings) via Wimbledon for a short while.
On a drunken return from the pub from Wimbledon to Raynes Park I stumbled onto platform 8 and was greeted by a 444 forming a stopper. Never seen 444’s covering suburban stuff before that and haven’t again since!

A few years back we got a daily 444 doing the Portsmouth to Southampton and return stopper, during the morning peak. IIRC it was to release a 450 for more important mainline capacity...

 

[Kieran1990]

There was a period a few years back where an 8 car 450 covered some diagrams on the New Line and Dorking’s. Can’t remember the reason why but remember some posters up at Guildford Station explaining the use of blue trains on the Clandon route

 

[TEW]

There was a period a few years back where an 8 car 450 covered some diagrams on the New Line and Dorking’s. Can’t remember the reason why but remember some posters up at Guildford Station explaining the use of blue trains on the Clandon route

It was during the period 455s were undergoing overhaul and getting PRM mods so reduced numbers were available.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Aug 2020 ==

On a drunken return from the pub from Wimbledon to Raynes Park I stumbled onto platform 8 and was greeted by a 444 forming a stopper. Never seen 444’s covering suburban stuff before that and haven’t again since!

The 0027 Waterloo to Woking used to be booked a 444, which called all stations to Surbiton.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Similarly, I remember when a pair of Class 707s made it all the way down to Southampton Central, after some kind of power supply issues.

 

[Ianno87]

There was a period a few years back where an 8 car 450 covered some diagrams on the New Line and Dorking’s. Can’t remember the reason why but remember some posters up at Guildford Station explaining the use of blue trains on the Clandon route

It was during the period 455s were undergoing overhaul and getting PRM mods so reduced numbers were available.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Aug 2020 ==


The 0027 Waterloo to Woking used to be booked a 444, which called all stations to Surbiton.

It was when the 455 were being re-tractioned with AC traction motors.

 

[Kieran1990]

It was when the 455 were being re-tractioned with AC traction motors.

Ahh yes that was it! How long did the new line 450 diagrams last?

 

[NSE]

It was during the period 455s were undergoing overhaul and getting PRM mods so reduced numbers were available.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Aug 2020 ==


The 0027 Waterloo to Woking used to be booked a 444, which called all stations to Surbiton.

That must have been it. Certainly matches up time wise!

 

[TEW]

Ahh yes that was it! How long did the new line 450 diagrams last?

2014-2015 according to my records, which was the period when overhauls and PRM mods were being done at Bournemouth, and the first unit or two were stopped for AC retractioning. The introduction of refurbished 456s in 8-car formations with 455s then allowed the 450 diagram to end before the 455 upgrades had finished.

 

[pompeyfan]

A few years back we got a daily 444 doing the Portsmouth to Southampton and return stopper, during the morning peak. IIRC it was to release a 450 for more important mainline capacity...

believe this was partly to do with the excess amount of pushbikes that also join the train and provide extra capacity for the school traffic to Hamble school.

 

[DorkingMain]

A 458 worked an evening Dorking last year, as a last minute stock swap. I happen to know that because my friend was the guard on it.

There aren't any suburban diagrams booked for a 450 at the moment aside Hounslow rounders / Weybridge / evening peak Wokings, though they are cleared for all electric routes so there is always the possibility of a substitution

 

[GW43125]

Similarly, I remember when a pair of Class 707s made it all the way down to Southampton Central, after some kind of power supply issues.

It was during the strikes in December combined with Southampton going pop, the units were stolen off a Hounslow rounder to cover the cancelled Weymouth as far as So'ton.
Now if those 450s could have made their way over to replace the 455s running their usual Reading diagram today...

 

[DorkingMain]

It was during the strikes in December combined with Southampton going pop, the units were stolen off a Hounslow rounder to cover the cancelled Weymouth as far as So'ton.
Now if those 450s could have made their way over to replace the 455s running their usual Reading diagram today...

455s will generally be favoured to cover Windsors / Readings as 450s have a much greater route availability and can be used on any distance / service

 

[GW43125]

455s will generally be favoured to cover Windsors / Readings as 450s have a much greater route availability and can be used on any distance / service

Makes perfect sense, just immensely disappointing when 455s turn up. 701s can't come soon enough...