Empty 455s through Southampton

[Robinson]

Hi all,
While waiting for a London train at Southampton Central I watched a pair of class 455s pass through the station empty, heading west. This was at around 1520 this afternoon.

Anyone have any idea what they were doing down there? If it happens regularly, I haven't seen it before...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

ecs movement Wimbledon - Bournemouth for work.

 

[swt_passenger]

Hi all,
While waiting for a London train at Southampton Central I watched a pair of class 455s pass through the station empty, heading west. This was at around 1520 this afternoon.

Anyone have any idea what they were doing down there? If it happens regularly, I haven't seen it before...

Probably more regular than the 458 moves between Wimbledon Park and Bournemouth depots, I posted the normally used times a few days ago, but running later or earlier is not that unusual.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56976

Since the withdrawal of 442s, a number of maintenance staff were kept on at Bounemouth, and they seem to do various outsourced work on the stock belonging to all the other depots, (in fact it wouldn't surprise me if that's where the 5 car 458/460 conversions take place - if they ever happen)...

 

[Robinson]

Probably more regular than the 458 moves between Wimbledon Park and Bournemouth depots, I posted the normally used times a few days ago, but running later or earlier is not that unusual.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56976

Since the withdrawal of 442s, a number of maintenance staff were kept on at Bounemouth, and they seem to do various outsourced work on the stock belonging to all the other depots, (in fact it wouldn't surprise me if that's where the 5 car 458/460 conversions take place - if they ever happen)...

Thanks for the replies; I was just curious to see 455s all the way down at Southampton!

 

[Drsatan]

It's not the first time a 455 has ventured to Bournemouth; about 10 years ago I once saw a 455 running ECS to Bournemouth depot. In normal revenue earning service they very rarely run south of Woking however.

 

[455driver]

It's not the first time a 455 has ventured to Bournemouth;

True it can happen anything up to 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[anthony263]

So perhaps I wasnt seeing things when I thought I saw a class 455 when on a class 444 traveling from Weymouth to Southampton back in June.

Slightly off topic but does anyone know what is happening with the ckass 455 that was damaged when that cement lorry fell on it? there was talk of it being scrapped but since I thought it was only 1 carriage that was wrecked a 3 carriage class 455 would be good for the Lymington branch if it could be cleared.

 

[NSEFAN]

Isn't part of the experimental class 210 DEMU being used for it? That's what I heard on WNXX.

EDIT: This small thread discusses the usage of one vehicle from the remaining 210 set in order to repair the 455 unit damaged.

Another edit: click here for a picture of the vehicle in Wolverton works. It seems to be numbered 7001, so could this actually be a class 457?

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Isn't part of the experimental class 210 DEMU being used for it? That's what I heard on WNXX.

I also read something similar in the Railway Magazine couple of months back about the 210 being used.

 

[BestWestern]

Isn't part of the experimental class 210 DEMU being used for it? That's what I heard on WNXX.

EDIT: This small thread discusses the usage of one vehicle from the remaining 210 set in order to repair the 455 unit damaged. Thread locked

Another edit: click here for a picture of the vehicle in Wolverton works. It seems to be numbered 7001, so could this actually be a class 457?

I'm surprised to hear of this unit being returned to service. Surely the level of damage to the crushed car would mean that even after heavy rebuilding the structural integrity would have been compromised? How would the vehicle offer the intended level of strength if it was unfortunate enough to be involved in a further heavy collision? It's a shame to hear that the 210 is to be sacrificed, I wonder who owns it and how they were persuaded to offer its 'services'?! Very interesting pic in the link above, that number is indeed curious! I'm sure this has already been asked, but is it totally implausible to use one of the numerous stored Class 508 vehicles in some way here? I guess the unit concerned already has a trailer car from a Merseyrail 508 so there's no 455 trailer to convert into a replacement motor car?

 

[NSEFAN]

I'm surprised to hear of this unit being returned to service. Surely the level of damage to the crushed car would mean that even after heavy rebuilding the structural integrity would have been compromised? How would the vehicle offer the intended level of strength if it was unfortunate enough to be involved in a further heavy collision? It's a shame to hear that the 210 is to be sacrificed, I wonder who owns it and how they were persuaded to offer its 'services'?! Very interesting pic in the link above, that number is indeed curious! I'm sure this has already been asked, but is it totally implausible to use one of the numerous stored Class 508 vehicles in some way here? I guess the unit concerned already has a trailer car from a Merseyrail 508 so there's no 455 trailer to convert into a replacement motor car?

Obviously BREL knew what they were doing with the MK3 design!

My understanding is that some of the bodyshell will be used, so I guess a class 508 is too different for this to work. I suppose they could just replace the car with one of the 508 vehicles, or even use the whole 210/457 car, but I doubt SWT want to add some more non-standard parts to their fleet, even if it is technically possible.

I suspect the strength will be compromised, but then what are the odds of a similar accident occuring again with the same part of the same carriage of the same unit in the next 20-30 years?

 

[tempests1]

It's not the first time a 455 has ventured to Bournemouth; about 10 years ago I once saw a 455 running ECS to Bournemouth depot. In normal revenue earning service they very rarely run south of Woking however.

In very exceptional circumstances I believe they have been used on a Basingstoke stopper. Talking of the Pompey Direct I believe they are passed as far as Haslemere but again they would only venture down if the situation warranted it.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Only two vehicles remain from the Class 457 and they are both driving trailers. The DT from 5913 suffered major damage to the side and is being replaced by 67301. The motor coach I presume is being rebuilt, although that seems an impossible task given the level of damage it received.

 

[BestWestern]

Obviously BREL knew what they were doing with the MK3 design!

My understanding is that some of the bodyshell will be used, so I guess a class 508 is too different for this to work. I suppose they could just replace the car with one of the 508 vehicles, or even use the whole 210/457 car, but I doubt SWT want to add some more non-standard parts to their fleet, even if it is technically possible.

I suspect the strength will be compromised, but then what are the odds of a similar accident occuring again with the same part of the same carriage of the same unit in the next 20-30 years?

My thoughts were that the traction gear from the wrecked motor car could have been rebuilt into the other trailer from the set, then a centre car from a stored 508 added into the formation. But of course if the 'other' trailer is already from a 507/8 as they tend to be on the 455s, then that obviously won't work!

As for the strength issue, it is of course highly unlikely, but then who'd have thought a lorry would fall from the sky and flatten the coach in the first place!? I was under the impression that any damage repairs affecting structural integrity had to be 'proven' to ensure the original design strength remains before the vehicle could re-enter service, but I could be wrong. Perhaps if the underframes aren't affected it isn't an issue, though I'm amazed they weren't twisted.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....I guess the unit concerned already has a trailer car from a Merseyrail 508 so there's no 455 trailer to convert into a replacement motor car?

My thoughts were that the traction gear from the wrecked motor car could have been rebuilt into the other trailer from the set, then a centre car from a stored 508 added into the formation. But of course if the 'other' trailer is already from a 507/8 as they tend to be on the 455s, then that obviously won't work!....

The unit does not have a former 508 trailer.

http://www.highlevelphotography.co....n-incident-with-cement-lorry-and-bridge-8.jpg

Only two vehicles remain from the Class 457 and they are both driving trailers. The DT from 5913 suffered major damage to the side and is being replaced by 67301. The motor coach I presume is being rebuilt, although that seems an impossible task given the level of damage it received.

Technically, three vehicles remain from the 457, the two driving cars and 67400 which replaced 71725 in unit 5912. Can the Driving car really be that badly damaged? Compared to the MSO it seems to have gotten a glancing blow.

 

[BestWestern]

The unit does not have a former 508 trailer.

So surely then the traction gear could be rebuilt into the second trailer car, and a refurbed vehicle from a 508 inserted as a replacement centre car? Obviously very complicated, but more complicated than rebuilding the crushed remains?!

 

[anthony263]

Ok thanks for answering my question