Love Towards Class 455?

[al.currie93]

Do correct me if I'm wrong, but I've noticed from my time on this forum that there seem to be a number of people who are particularly fond of this class (myself included).

However, I cannot think why; they are neither the fastest or most comfortable of trains and aren't the most glamourous either, so why do a lot of people like them?

I particularly like their sound and motion, and my first train journey was also on one of them, but I'm interested to see what people's thoughts are... or if I am completely mistaken :P

 

[antharro]

They're good workhorses. I don't think they're anything particularly special, but they do get on with the job day in, day out. Plus, the new traction package that SWT's 455s are receiving will make them an item of interest for a while at least.

 

[jopsuk]

There does seem to be more love for them than say Class 317.

 

[nlogax]

They're good workhorses. I don't think they're anything particularly special, but they do get on with the job day in, day out.

Exactly that. For thirty-plus years (for many of them) they've got the job done with the minimum of technical fuss or drama on some of the busiest stretches of the UK network. They've done all that anyone could have ever asked of a heavy-use suburban fleet, and continue to do so. Looking forward to their traction upgrades in the near future.

 

[FQ]

There does seem to be more love for them than say Class 317.

Definitely better than 317s but if I have the choice of say a 444, 450, 458 or 455 I would definitely chose either a 444 or 458. I have to say they are pretty naf though.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Back when I lived in the SWT suburban area, I hated them- partly because it was pre-refurb with those horrible low-backed 3+2 seats and partly because they shared some of their duties (Wokings, Kingston Loopers and the occasional Hampton Court run) with 4-VEPs which were both more comfortable and of more interest from an 'anorak' point of view!

Now that they've been revamped they're much more pleasant, and they're also the closest thing to a 'heritage' unit you'll get there or almost anywhere, so they get the enthusiast vote simply for the want of anything else!

 

[AM9]

Definitely better than 317s but if I have the choice of say a 444, 450, 458 or 455 I would definitely chose either a 444 or 458. I have to say they are pretty naf though.

Why are they that much better than 317s though? Is it just an interior fitting thing as they are both MkIII shells.

 

[ExRes]

I started my minder driving on 319s, 456s and 455s, the nicest thing about the 455s would have been if they had brakes on them

 

[O L Leigh]

Exactly that. For thirty-plus years (for many of them) they've got the job done with the minimum of technical fuss or drama on some of the busiest stretches of the UK network. They've done all that anyone could have ever asked of a heavy-use suburban fleet, and continue to do so. Looking forward to their traction upgrades in the near future.

And yet other classes that could fit that same description seem to get roundly panned.

O L Leigh

 

[joeykins82]

I think it shows the quality of the refurb on the SWT units; they're bright and feel clean and spacious and the seats are fairly comfortable even if the units themselves are slow and a bit noisy. The Southern 455s by comparison have that drab yellow lighting and just feel grim.

 

[FQ]

Why are they that much better than 317s though? Is it just an interior fitting thing as they are both MkIII shells.

It is,

Also I have had very bad experiences on 317s.

 

[91103eastcoast]

I also prefer 455s over a 317, just because I wish that the 317 fleet could be refurbished with an SWT 455 style interior, because the current 317 interior is pretty naff. But it does the job.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I also prefer 455s over a 317, just because I wish that the 317 fleet could be refurbished with an SWT 455 style interior, because the current 317 interior is pretty naff. But it does the job.

317s tend to be used on semi-fasts though, so would a 'metro' style interior be appropriate? (Not that the current interior is really appropriate either, in comparison to (unrefurbished!) 365s). Come to think of it, that's probably another reason people are more forgiving of 455s- they tend to be used on the less glamourous turns so the expectations aren't so high.

 

[physics34]

driving an 8 car later

 

[waterboo]

Also, the 455 are way more suited to their jobs then say, the 450's. Doors open and close more quickly, plus, i do believe they have greater reliability.

The only stigma is air conditioning, but considering commuter journeys are fairly short, this should not be a major issue.

 

[SWT_USER]

Great units but as mentioned no air con makes them very unpleasant in the heat.

 

[hassaanhc]

Also, the 455 are way more suited to their jobs then say, the 450's. Doors open and close more quickly, plus, i do believe they have greater reliability.

The only stigma is air conditioning, but considering commuter journeys are fairly short, this should not be a major issue.

Majority of "train fault" delays and short formations appear to occur with 455s. However, maybe it could be because there is less slack in their requirement?
The biggest negative thing about 455s is the poor ventilation in summer.

 

[antharro]

FWIW, I like class 317s. Particularly the standard class livery on the 317/6. The standard class livery on the 317/5 amuses me, as it looks (to me) like pink chicken drumsticks on a blue background. I used to use them quite regularly when I visited Hertfordshire, travelling out of Liverpool Street.

Generally speaking, I like most trains that are based on the Mk3 bodyshell.

 

[jopsuk]

Majority of "train fault" delays and short formations appear to occur with 455s.

30 years old with older traction motors...

 

[waterboo]

There was a proposal to refurbish the 317's.
Rest assured if they were to this standard, it would make the experience a lot more better.

[/IMG]

Although they still want the hopper windows????

 

[antharro]

That looks like a good idea, at least for suburban / outer suburban working. I definitely like the 2+2 seating, but I think I'd prefer the current 316/5 or /6 interior for a longer distance journey. The seats would appear to be more comfortable than those in the picture above. But I am also very skeptical of the comfort of "modern" seats.

Was this ever a definite plan, or just concept art?

 

[yorksrob]

It's very difficult to love a 455 when you've experienced a 415 or even a 405.

 

[hassaanhc]

That looks like a good idea, at least for suburban / outer suburban working. I definitely like the 2+2 seating, but I think I'd prefer the current 316/5 or /6 interior for a longer distance journey. The seats would appear to be more comfortable than those in the picture above. But I am also very skeptical of the comfort of "modern" seats.

Was this ever a definite plan, or just concept art?

Prototype refurbishment unit, which entered service today.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

There was a proposal to refurbish the 317's.
Rest assured if they were to this standard, it would make the experience a lot more better.

[/IMG]

Although they still want the hopper windows????

What class of unit is that a photo of?

 

[waterboo]

Class 317

 

[hassaanhc]

What class of unit is that a photo of?

317722 https://flic.kr/p/o65qFe
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

30 years old with older traction motors...

Knew that it seems the most common in service fault is with doors, while motor faults prevent units from leaving depot. The motors are meant to be ancient and from the Class 405 "4SUB" units aren't they? I know the 442s always get mentioned for old worn out motors but surely the same applies to these? (Although the fitting of new motors does suggest that :P)

 

[FQ]

317722 https://flic.kr/p/o65qFe

The front of that image looks like a class 507/508. I know they are not all like that.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Just from that photo you wouldn't think they're 30+ year old units, it makes them look brand new again

 

[Islineclear3_1]

It's very difficult to love a 455 when you've experienced a 415 or even a 405.

Absolutely! Although my first encounter with Subs "proper" wasn't until their trailer coaches were being converted for the EPB refurbishment program or units stored in scrapyards awaiting disposal. EPBs were always first choice over a 455. And EPB seats were very comfortable (and sprung!)

However 455s are now the oldest passenger stock on the former Southern Region. They even have the legacy of the Subs - e.g. compressors and other components. I have started to grow fond of them; they have worked tirelessly day in day out. I don't know if the Southern units are undergoing their "final" overhauls/repaints - does anyone know if they are in the pipeline for withdrawal in the next few years? I personally think their current livery suits them well (when it's clean and not faded!) but would be quite happy to see them back in BR blue and grey as new.

 

[yorksrob]

Absolutely! Although my first encounter with Subs "proper" wasn't until their trailer coaches were being converted for the EPB refurbishment program or units stored in scrapyards awaiting disposal. EPBs were always first choice over a 455. And EPB seats were very comfortable (and sprung!)

However 455s are now the oldest passenger stock on the former Southern Region. They even have the legacy of the Subs - e.g. compressors and other components. I have started to grow fond of them; they have worked tirelessly day in day out. I don't know if the Southern units are undergoing their "final" overhauls/repaints - does anyone know if they are in the pipeline for withdrawal in the next few years? I personally think their current livery suits them well (when it's clean and not faded!) but would be quite happy to see them back in BR blue and grey as new.

Ah yes, my 405 experience is courtesy of the various converted trailers in EPB's and the heritage unit (4732) that used to run periodically.

As you say, at least the 455's come with EPB sound effects (and opening windows).