SWR Class 458 to be retained

[Invincible]

25 years, and a subfleet of just eight units

SWR in it's 2017 bid was going to return all 458s to Porterbrook (along with 455s)when the 701s entered service. But strangely refurbish the 27 year old 422s.
Then covid and the 422 refurb had problems.
Still looks like SWR will return 8 of the 458s once the 701s eventually rollout, but the 455s should be returned before the 458/5s

 

[ollie_hunt1660]

Is that the Class 175 widely reported as destined for GWR?

AFAIK they’re all going to GWR. Would be a waste considering we have a diesel stock shortage atm.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Think you'll find that's a lifespan of 34 years

oops

 

[LUYMun]

This evening 458420 and 458415 got into a spot of bother while operating the 2V55 (1837 WAT-TWI) service where at Chiswick smoke was emitting from the 2nd coach. While the fire brigade came and reported no fires, the units have been sent to depot early.

 

[swr444]

This evening 458420 and 458415 got into a spot of bother while operating the 2V55 (1837 WAT-TWI) service where at Chiswick smoke was emitting from the 2nd coach. While the fire brigade came and reported no fires, the units have been sent to depot early.

Sounds like a dragging brake

 

[OneTrackMinded]

This evening 458420 and 458415 got into a spot of bother while operating the 2V55 (1837 WAT-TWI) service where at Chiswick smoke was emitting from the 2nd coach. While the fire brigade came and reported no fires, the units have been sent to depot early.

I do wonder if this is another traction motor issue. A few weeks ago there was a similar occurrence, unit had to be taken out of service due to smoke coming from the motors.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

A very shiny 458 410 just went through Southampton Parkway ( 12.42 ) on its own in the up direction.

Edited to add back down through Eastleigh at 14.06

 

[WrongRoad]

A very shiny 458 410 just went through Southampton Parkway ( 12.42 ) on its own in the up direction.

Edited to add back down through Eastleigh at 14.06

That’s the Tues-Fri Fault Free running test unit.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Is that the Class 175 widely reported as destined for GWR?

If that comes to pass I'll remove it from the list!

 

[spark001uk]

Will 8415/8420 issue today affect the first SO diagrams tomorrow? Guessing there's more than enough units to cover them now but though I'd ask?

 

[TEW]

The issues with the units was yesterday. Looks like the right number of units finished at Feltham Depot tonight for the diagrams tomorrow.

 

[spark001uk]

Thanks. On 2s20 now. Just passed Feltham and there's 2x8 still on the yard.
Initial thoughts - theyve done a pretty decent refurb.
Yes, the refurb, but the turd around it has all been left - the rotten windows, rusty heater vents, tired toilets. Can't knock the chaps at Widnes though, they only did what they were instructed. Nice job too.
Mind you, the seats are very comfortable, about the best they've got on the network I'd say. And the ride quality seems better to me as well.
Still don't understand their use on suburban though, they really should put these to their intended use, and free up the higher (~50 per set?) capacity 450s for the busier suburban.
These would be a nice ride on the PDL.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Aug 2024 ==

And not five mins after I posted, there was a loud crash as a bin cover clattered to the floor, scaring the hell out of half the carriage.!

 

[TEW]

458408 entering service this afternoon on 2S45, 1522 London Waterloo to Weybridge.

 

[Goldfish62]

And not five mins after I posted, there was a loud crash as a bin cover clattered to the floor, scaring the hell out of half the carriage.!

That's been a normal feature ever since they were first introduced, but at least the carpet cushions the noise more than the old flooring.

 

[swr444]

8413 and 8423 just broke down after passing queenstown road causing mayhem on the Windsor side, just in time for rush hour once again there’s a code red.

 

[gazr]

8413 and 8423 just broke down after passing queenstown road causing mayhem on the Windsor side, just in time for rush hour once again there’s a code red.

Could be worse. Use P2 for Down trains and run Up trains on the reversible not stopping at QRB.

 

[swr444]

Could be worse. Use P2 for Down trains and run Up trains on the reversible not stopping at QRB.

Problem was it broke down on the point work I believe, so nothing could get through. Train has now wrong direction moved back onto 3.

 

[TEW]

Another diagram added next week.

2R03 0615 Twickenham to Waterloo
2S13 0722 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S22 0903 Weybridge to Waterloo
2S27 1052 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S36 1233 Weybridge to Waterloo
2V43 1537 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2R49 1715 Waterloo to Waterloo via Richmond and Brentford
2S59 1852 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S68 2033 Weybridge to Waterloo
2S79 2352 Waterloo to Hounslow

 

[Goldfish62]

Another diagram added next week.

2R03 0615 Twickenham to Waterloo
2S13 0722 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S22 0903 Weybridge to Waterloo
2S27 1052 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S36 1233 Weybridge to Waterloo
2V43 1537 Waterloo to Waterloo via Brentford and Richmond
2R49 1715 Waterloo to Waterloo via Richmond and Brentford
2S59 1852 Waterloo to Weybridge
2S68 2033 Weybridge to Waterloo
2S79 2352 Waterloo to Hounslow

Thanks for the update.

 

[Chriso]

There coming on thick and fast. When are the Hounslow loop trains returning off-peak?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

When are the Hounslow loop trains returning off-peak?

They aren’t, the DfT which sets the service specification no longer wishes its service provider to operate those services outside the peaks.

 

[Chriso]

I despair , thank god I don’t live on that route then

 

[Goldfish62]

They aren’t, the DfT which sets the service specification no longer wishes its service provider to operate those services outside the peaks.

But this is the same DfT which approved Southeastern's restoration of a minimum 4tph off peak to all metro stations from this December, so I see no reason why they wouldn't necessarily approve the same on the South Western in due course.

Plus of course we've been promised a move away from DfT micromanagement.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

But this is the same DfT which approved Southeastern's restoration of a minimum 4tph off peak to all metro stations from this December, so I see no reason why they wouldn't necessarily approve the same on the South Western in due course.

Plus of course we've been promised a move away from DfT micromanagement.

And DfT have likewise approved similar enhancements on SWR such as restoration of the 2tph Waterloo to Salisbury last December.

But it doesn’t mean they want to buy them all again!

 

[Goldfish62]

And DfT have likewise approved similar enhancements on SWR such as restoration of the 2tph Waterloo to Salisbury last December.

But it doesn’t mean they want to buy them all again!

I agree, but it also doesn't mean that future enhancements will always be ruled out. Anything less than 4tph at London stations really should be addressed ASAP. 2tph has got no place in a modern urban public transport system.

 

[swr444]

I agree, but it also doesn't mean that future enhancements will always be ruled out. Anything less than 4tph at London stations really should be addressed ASAP. 2tph has got no place in a modern urban public transport system.

Agreed, it’s also a problem at Barnes, Putney and Wandsworth town where all trains come in within 10 mins of each other and then nothing for over 20min.

 

[Snow1964]

They aren’t, the DfT which sets the service specification no longer wishes its service provider to operate those services outside the peaks.

Interesting thinking by DfT to not restore these services, especially as this week DfT updated its post covid spreadsheet and it is showing rail use at 97% of pre covid on some days (or 107% in the column including Elizabeth line)

Daily domestic transport use by mode

Daily usage of selected domestic transport by mode for Great Britain.

www.gov.uk

 

[DelW]

I agree, but it also doesn't mean that future enhancements will always be ruled out. Anything less than 4tph at London stations really should be addressed ASAP. 2tph has got no place in a modern urban public transport system.

Or timetables like the Guildford fasts which are 3tph but with a half hour gap most hours, that sometimes followed by just a single 5-car train. It's the poorest timetable I can remember on that line, when it was 3tph twenty years ago it was at least even 20 minute intervals.

 

[pompeyfan]

Or timetables like the Guildford fasts which are 3tph but with a half hour gap most hours, that sometimes followed by just a single 5-car train. It's the poorest timetable I can remember on that line, when it was 3tph twenty years ago it was at least even 20 minute intervals.

Just thinking about Waterloo departures you now wouldn’t get a 20 minute frequency without a complete rewrite. Xx:00 would be okay, but xx:20 would clash with the Exeter service, and xx:40 would have to be xx:39 using the old Waterloo - Poole path. That’s before you even get to Guildford, or the very congested Havant - Portsmouth corridor. Then you would have to work out which path was the fast to stop the fast being pathed through the stopper and the semi.

 

[DelW]

Just thinking about Waterloo departures you now wouldn’t get a 20 minute frequency without a complete rewrite. Xx:00 would be okay, but xx:20 would clash with the Exeter service, and xx:40 would have to be xx:39 using the old Waterloo - Poole path. That’s before you even get to Guildford, or the very congested Havant - Portsmouth corridor. Then you would have to work out which path was the fast to stop the fast being pathed through the stopper and the semi.

Using the 458/4s to reinstate the second Pompey semifast each hour would be my preferred solution! But we seem to be stuck with a chicken and egg situation of poor timetable and reduced revenue reinforcing each other to cause an apparently permanent deterioration of the service.