SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[cactustwirly]

Still, I should probably at least get my first ride on a 455 soon though, before they really do go (I prefer modern trains, as my name suggests, but I also like to get in first rides on old trains that are about to be withdrawn but that I had never ridden on).

They have character, even though they now have AC motors, they have a deep pitch and use the original gearbox so still sound great.

 

[720_Aventra]

The scrap move is now on for Monday
wonder could it be a 455/8 at chance?

Seeing as there's no loco at Wembley it's safe to say that won't be running.

0H72 was supposed to have attempted to run again today however that was cancelled after the loco failed again.

 

[NSEWonderer]

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7534319785237138710

Funny enough one of the louder /7s is 455715. I last remember it as a 4 car running around in September, no clue if its still about on the network. Above video is a pretty good representation. 455867 when it ran about before the fix was horrendously loud.

 

[sh24]

They have character, even though they now have AC motors, they have a deep pitch and use the original gearbox so still sound great.

The old style compressor is very atmospheric too! For those than remember Souther region slam door EMU's.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Are they all planned to be withdrawn by December? I’m amazed at the pace they’ve gone!

 

[Mike_L_Surrey]

They could. I don't believe many of those 455s had their parts taken off. A few /9s had the windows removed but that's it from what i know.

Thank You

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are they all planned to be withdrawn by December? I’m amazed at the pace they’ve gone!

Yes, although @cactustwirly seems to think they’re very much still the mainstay of SWR Metro and that the 701s and 450s don’t account for nearly as much of the inner-suburban workings. I disagree.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Funny enough one of the louder /7s is 455715. I last remember it as a 4 car running around in September, no clue if its still about on the network. Above video is a pretty good representation 455867 when it ran about before the fix was horrendously loud.

455 715 was withdrawn on 2nd October.

 

[D365]

Are they all planned to be withdrawn by December? I’m amazed at the pace they’ve gone!

Planned, yes, but not by the people who are actually executing said plan!

 

[Class15]

At the current pace of 701 introduction I really don’t see how they will all be gone by December?

Yes, although @cactustwirly seems to think they’re very much still the mainstay of SWR Metro and that the 701s and 450s don’t account for nearly as much of the inner-suburban workings. I disagree.

It seems to be about equal 455s and 701s that I see, maybe slightly more 455s. Possibly the 701s do slightly longer distance workings so come into London less frequently?

 

[Invincible]

At the current pace of 701 introduction I really don’t see how they will all be gone by December?

Branchlines don't now seem to progressing the proposed 455 farewell rail tour on Dec 21, maybe now early 2026?

Still no news if Network rail or another might keep the blue 455868 (still at Derby?) as a static display, perhaps for training?

The nearest to a 455 ride after withdrawal could be the proposed class 150 early train on Watercress line?..

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It seems to be about equal 455s and 701s that I see, maybe slightly more 455s. Possibly the 701s do slightly longer distance workings so come into London less frequently?

There are twelve and a half pairs of 455s due out each day, and twenty three 701s, rather.

 

[cactustwirly]

Yes, although @cactustwirly seems to think they’re very much still the mainstay of SWR Metro and that the 701s and 450s don’t account for nearly as much of the inner-suburban workings. I disagree.

Well actually going to London and using my eyes, 701s are concentrated on the Windsor lines with only handful of mainline services.
Vast majority of metro services via Wimbledon are in the hands of 455s.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2025 ==

There are twelve and a half pairs of 455s due out each day, and twenty three 701s, rather.

Even if 1 pair was withdrawn every week, there aren't enough weeks of the year left.

In practice there are more than diagrammed due to poor 701 availability, 450s look like they're struggling too with multiple short forms.

They're not going to switch anymore diagrams over until they have enough working 701s, which are apparently stored and in a bad state, according to the other thread.

I bet there will still be 4 pairs into the new year

 

[Goldfish62]

They're not going to switch anymore diagrams over until they have enough working 701s, which are apparently stored and in a bad state, according to the other thread.

The bit about them being in a poor state has been acknowledged on the other thread as being pure speculation, so let's not "infect" this thread with that as well!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I've seen a lot of 701s on Sheppertons and Dorkings + the odd one on the Kingston rounders

 

[Siemens Staines]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone have last workings of 5715, 5733 and 5865 please.
Thank you

The last day in service I have down for these three is (subject to data feeds to RTT being correct)
5715 02.10.25
5733 18.08.25
5865 02.10.25

and for the other two that have also been mentioned recently
5707 02.10.25
5738 26.09.25 but its final train departed after midnight, so 27.09.25

 

[adc82140]

As a random example, at Raynes Park in the next hour, (time stamp 08:55) there are 9 services formed of 701s, 6 pairs of 455s, 1 pair of 458/5s and 3 pairs of 450s.

 

[Boalbads]

As a random example, at Raynes Park in the next hour, (time stamp 08:55) there are 9 services formed of 701s, 6 pairs of 455s, 1 pair of 458/5s and 3 pairs of 450s.

for a windsor side example, the next hour of trains at Putney (1130-1230) there are 6x 701, 3x double 450, 4x double 458/4, and no 455s, infact, the next 455 to stop at Putney today (unless units get swapped etc), is the 1919 from Shepperton to Waterloo on 2H98 (5702/5730 according to RTT)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

450s look like they're struggling too with multiple short forms.

Some of the 450s had arguments with trees during the weekend's storm, so there will be some short forms as a result.

In particular 450 006 and 450 023 had an argument with the same tree in opposite directions at Bagshot!

 

[NSEWonderer]

455 715 was withdrawn on 2nd October.

Shame that, thanks

 

[CallmeDave]

The last day in service I have down for these three is (subject to data feeds to RTT being correct)
5715 02.10.25
5733 18.08.25
5865 02.10.25

and for the other two that have also been mentioned recently
5707 02.10.25
5738 26.09.25 but its final train departed after midnight, so 27.09.25

Really helpful information. I really appreciate this. Thank you
.
Others may know better but I scanned realtime trains and I could find no 455s on Waterloo circulars (I only checked 0900 to 1400 though)

 

[sh24]

I was out on the SW yesterday - Kingston and the Dorking/Guildford routes - and the majority of services were 701 and 450. Just one pair of 455/7's popped up.

 

[SEtrains]

Some sort of issue on 37884 on Saturday appears to have cancelled the drag for 738/865 today

 

[norbitonflyer]

Really helpful information. I really appreciate this. Thank you
.
Others may know better but I scanned realtime trains and I could find no 455s on Waterloo circulars (I only checked 0900 to 1400 though)

There4 are normally six trains needed on the roundabout services. At present two are 4x450 and the rest are 701s

 

[Leoliontrains]

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7534319785237138710

Funny enough one of the louder /7s is 455715. I last remember it as a 4 car running around in September, no clue if its still about on the network. Above video is a pretty good representation. 455867 when it ran about before the fix was horrendously loud.

Thanks for sharing my video of this legendary unit, much appreciated

 

[NSEWonderer]

Thanks for sharing my video of this legendary unit, much appreciated

 

[mansonlo49]

Seeing as there's no loco at Wembley it's safe to say that won't be running.

0H72 was supposed to have attempted to run again today however that was cancelled after the loco failed again.

0H72 got rearrange to the 7th（tomorrow）

 

[SEtrains]

0H72 got rearrange to the 7th（tomorrow）

Should be 37800, it looks like 37884 isn’t feeling well.

 

[Stephen42]

0H72 got rearrange to the 7th（tomorrow）

Newport has a trip from Willesden on the 8th with loco from Wembley so the loco is probably for that and not a delayed 455 move.

for a windsor side example, the next hour of trains at Putney (1130-1230) there are 6x 701, 3x double 450, 4x double 458/4, and no 455s, infact, the next 455 to stop at Putney today (unless units get swapped etc), is the 1919 from Shepperton to Waterloo on 2H98 (5702/5730 according to RTT)

The stock mix varies a lot depending where on the network. Chessington is currently over half 455s on weekdays.

 

[Boalbads]

The stock mix varies a lot depending where on the network. Chessington is currently over half 455s on weekdays.

Yeah, i've noticed Windsor side is often 458/4, 450, or 701, not very common for a 455 to venture there much more.