How do SWT allocate their 444s?

[antharro]

Having commuted from Bournemouth to London for the last few years, I've been slightly curious about how SWT allocate their trains.

For example, for a few weeks, I've noticed higher number 444s coming down the SWML - 444 030 - 045 usually. This week and last, it's been low numbers - for example, I travelled up on 444 004 on Sunday. I expect in a couple of weeks it'll be back to high(er) numbers. I very rarely see 444 01x and 02x on my travels.

Is there any pattern in how SWT allocate their trains based on maintenance needs, or do they like to move them from one destination to another, or is it whichever unit is available at a depot at a given time?

 

[Pumbaa]

Nope. The only pattern you're seeing is as a result of confirmation bias!

 

[AM9]

Having commuted from Bournemouth to London for the last few years, I've been slightly curious about how SWT allocate their trains.

For example, for a few weeks, I've noticed higher number 444s coming down the SWML - 444 030 - 045 usually. This week and last, it's been low numbers - for example, I travelled up on 444 004 on Sunday. I expect in a couple of weeks it'll be back to high(er) numbers. I very rarely see 444 01x and 02x on my travels.

Is there any pattern in how SWT allocate their trains based on maintenance needs, or do they like to move them from one destination to another, or is it whichever unit is available at a depot at a given time?

Maybe you should vary the times that you travel, - or stop worrying about it.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I've wondered this.I usually seem to work the higher number units,generally any number over 444010 and plenty over 020. although last week I had 004 and 009.

 

[TheGrew]

Wasn't there some thing about the Desiro's being on mileage based leasing therefore it makes sense for SWT to ensure a similar amount of miles per unit?
It might be an urban myth but I had a feeling this was the logic for using the 450s on certain routes at weekends because they were cheaper.

 

[Bigfoot]

All stock is allocated based on mileage and final location. Just having low numbered units is the luck of the draw.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I'll admit just recently there has been quite a few pairings of sister units.

I noticed 045/044, 033/032 coupled together as 10's. And you find it goes in spates and then no pairings of sister units for days or weeks.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

If you're looking for a pattern, you'll find one...

I seem to keep catching 144022, 144017, 155343, and 185108, but I don't travel every day so it's basically just a coincidence.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

At the moment I seem to be being "stalked" by 450 088 & 444 010.

Just about everyday I'll pass either one of them or work one of them.

 

[Juniper Driver]

450041 for me with it conking out twice.

 

[1018509]

Crumbs this takes me back to 40 odd years ago on the London Underground.

The Depot Office Assistants (responsible for booking out the timetable every morning and afternoon) used to have a sense of pride in getting consecutive units reformed together when possible - not for operational reasons particularly but because they could.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I have seen far more consecutive pairs, not just on SWT but everywhere, in recent months for it to be just a coincidence.

 

[Class377/5]

Crumbs this takes me back to 40 odd years ago on the London Underground.

The Depot Office Assistants (responsible for booking out the timetable every morning and afternoon) used to have a sense of pride in getting consecutive units reformed together when possible - not for operational reasons particularly but because they could.

Still ongoing.