Weren't they initially Gatwick express?
Might still have 10 years life left?. Battery conversion a possibility?. But not many operators want small fleets?
Today saw a full London bound 450 8 car train going though Egham fully loaded, with many standing, perhaps going to Twickenham rugby?.
Its a long Saga best understood by reading the thread - its probably the main topic.
But just to bore those who read it all and enlighten those who cannot/have-not :-
In the beginning there were 30 class 458s. They were 4car and geared for 100mph. That is before the 444s were even a twinkle in anyboies eye !.
At the same time there came into being the class 460 Gatwick express units. These were also express units (probably 125mpg gearing ?). They were longer than 6 cars.
Then long before Covid the 458s were converted to 75mpg and five coaches - using intermediate coaches from the 460s.
At the same time the rest of the 460s were converted into class 458 lookalikes - 5car 75mph.
So ended up with a total of 36 5car suburban units.
With the looming possibility (iirc) of a new suburban unit SWT (SWR ?) decided the 458s (all 36) were unwanted.
So the 5 car 458s were to be dispensed with entirely but became the rescue for the failed 442 conversion project. The 442 project was to provide trains for the Portsmouth direct to appease the users of that line who preferred 444s to 450s (its a long-ish distance route).
The 442 project was eventually abandoned (a saga in itself). So 458s to the rescue.
Only 28 of the 36 458s were needed for Portsmouth. A deal was struck with the ROSCO (Porterbrook iirc ?) to convert them BACK to 4car and 100mph. It meant two of the original 458s would not be converted and neither would the last six created out of 460s. The result would mean no vehicles out of the 460s would continue to be used. Seems that conversion cannot be backed out of.
Much dragging of heels has now ensued. Unions want the cabs refurbished and SWR don't seem intent on using the 458s for Portsmouth direct. Due to the almost non introduction of 701s (so far). The converted 458s seem to find themselves useful for suburban work as SWR is getting short of units usable for suburban work.
Meanwhile the overcrowding gets worse while passengers await the introduction of the mythical 701s.........
(a blooming great saga in itself)
As for battery conversion of 458s/460s. Maybe but a while off as any experiments / trials are more likely to continue to be done with the 230s.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
