SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[Crant90045]

As far as im aware 455734 has been at Stoke-on-Trent Cockshute sidings since late december, I believe this is the only 455 there, Does anyone know whats happening with it. ie preservation or spares donor

 

[wickham]

As far as im aware 455734 has been at Stoke-on-Trent Cockshute sidings since late december, I believe this is the only 455 there, Does anyone know whats happening with it. ie preservation or spares donor

Is it the complete unit (all 4 cars) ?

 

[Crant90045]

Is it the complete unit (all 4 cars) ?

Not sure, I havent been myself

 

[SEtrains]

Not sure, I havent been myself

It’s only two coaches, well at least when I visited it was only two coaches.

 

[Crant90045]

I heard rumours of a 455 (or well.. part of a 455) to be used as a network rail training vehicle simmilar to 321332s situation, Possibly could be this?

 

[mansonlo49]

455712+732 allocated to a weybridge diagram this morning

Realtime Trains | 2S16 0733 Weybridge to London Waterloo | 17/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 2S16 0733 departure from Weybridge to London Waterloo on 17/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

besides 458530+533 being the absentees

 

[Rail_Sussex]

5712 5732 are out this PM starting 1702 Waterloobto Guildford. See post in 455 workings forum.

deleted!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2026 ==

Would anyone know if the x2 455s at Wimbledon Depot are visible from the tube line today?

 

[WWTownEnth]

Any sign of a scrap drag this week?

 

[Cravens]

Doubt it, given 458 availability (or lack thereof).

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Would anyone know if the x2 455s at Wimbledon Depot are visible from the tube line today?

If booked to work 5S07/2S07/2S16 highly unlikely. 5S07 is booked out of Earlsfield exit and UP the main fast line, so would be positioned in the East depot somewhere.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

If booked to work 5S07/2S07/2S16 highly unlikely. 5S07 is booked out of Earlsfield exit and UP the main fast line, so would be positioned in the East depot somewhere.

Thanks for the info.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2026 ==

17.02 off Waterloo! 17/03/2026

 

[brooklynbound]

Based on what I heard from staff when I took the 1702 today, this is the last week. Probably just two more days of runs as the scrap train's usually on a Friday.

 

[Stephen42]

Based on what I heard from staff when I took the 1702 today, this is the last week. Probably just two more days of runs as the scrap train's usually on a Friday.

From other posts and that comment I'd suspect it's that they will be stood down after Friday. The team at Wimbledon will then have to prep the units for the drag. Previously it's been about a week before for other units so would expect the drag to be next week.

 

[mansonlo49]

458530+533 being the absentees again
455712+732 same as yesterday circuit

 

[Cravens]

According to someone on FB, both remaining 458/5’s have jumped the queue to be stood down. Is there any truth to this?

 

[Ian Hardy]

According to someone on FB, both remaining 458/5’s have jumped the queue to be stood down. Is there any truth to this?

If they have got faults that will cost money to resolve, then why would anyone want to waste money on fixing them, when their life expectancy is very short.

 

[adc82140]

If they have got faults that will cost money to resolve, then why would anyone want to waste money on fixing them, when their life expectancy is very short.

Any faults would still need to be fixed before return to the ROSCO, or equivalent compensation paid to them.

 

[Ian Hardy]

Any faults would still need to be fixed before return to the ROSCO, or equivalent compensation paid to them.

And we wonder why the railway costs so much, when things like this occur.

 

[Cravens]

It is a bit daft, that there’s some expectation that these units somehow will have a future. Maybe as spares donors for the Class 334’s, but I can’t expect these ones have much of a future.

 

[Goldfish62]

It is a bit daft, that there’s some expectation that these units somehow will have a future. Maybe as spares donors for the Class 334’s, but I can’t expect these ones have much of a future.

I honestly be amazed if the 458/5s see service elsewhere. Small fleet, non-standard and rather temperamental. I agree that use as spares would be sensible, but will the ROSCO allow that, or prefer that they're broken up instead?

 

[adc82140]

They had no qualms about scrapping the 5th cars for the 458/4 conversions, and they would have been a potential source of spares, so I think its either the scrap man or further use as complete units, and we all know the likely outcome.

 

[CallmeDave]

See workings thread. Out again this PM. Usual jaunt.

 

[ccityplanner12]

Why are some of the windows in vehicle 71552 screwed shut? It's only this specific PEP trailer in '5732, fewer than half the windows, and they're screwed with Phillips screws of various sizes.

 

[Towers]

According to someone on FB, both remaining 458/5’s have jumped the queue to be stood down. Is there any truth to this?

Is that likely to mean… the last two 455s soldier on instead?!

 

[brad465]

Any faults would still need to be fixed before return to the ROSCO, or equivalent compensation paid to them.

Could SWR get permission to either strip them and/or just scrap them straight off if of no further use? Several 466s recently went to scrap direct from Southeastern after being stripped for spares; these weren't exactly returned to the ROSCO in serviceable condition.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Why are some of the windows in vehicle 71552 screwed shut?

Those hopper windows would often crash open with the air pressure of passing trains on adjacent lines, and suspect some probably just won't stay shut anymore. No good for the interior (of any unit/train) when they go through carriage washing machines!

 

[WimFit]

They had no qualms about scrapping the 5th cars for the 458/4 conversions, and they would have been a potential source of spares, so I think its either the scrap man or further use as complete units, and we all know the likely outcome.

They were all stripped for spares prior to disposal.

 

[janahan]

May be a convtroversial view, but i am going to miss the 458, especially in the original 458/0 - guise (and the 460 in its pre conversion). I am aware the 458/0 were initially a very troubled train, though Wimbledon certain did their magic on them. Prior to 2009 I didnt live on the SWT/SWR network (except for a short period between 2004/2005, where I lived in Fareham), and had no contact with the 458s, and whenever I did use the SWT it was mainly the 450/444 which I found very nice. When i moved to feltham in 2009, I was slap bang in SWT, and specifically 458/0 territory. Initially cautious based on what I read about them, I quickly became to like them on the fast runs from feltham to Waterloo, as well as the odd occasional trip to Reading. There was somethign very comfortable about them when riding them which I could never fully pinpoint, but definately felt there. The conversion to 458/5 apart the looks, just didnt feel the same in comfort, especially when the conversions started running the Reading route, they didnt feel as composed at speed, especially on the stretch between Putney and Richmond. Also I felt the reliability did take a noticable drop with frequent Air Con failures, cleanliness issues and breakdowns. Whilst the 458/4 were a slight improvement on the 458/5, it never got back to the original /0 feel.

Again, I think my view may be a minority, but i will miss the memories of riding the 458/0 from waterloo to Feltham, and the occasional trips to Reading on them

 

[Goldfish62]

May be a convtroversial view, but i am going to miss the 458, especially in the original 458/0 - guise (and the 460 in its pre conversion). I am aware the 458/0 were initially a very troubled train, though Wimbledon certain did their magic on them. Prior to 2009 I didnt live on the SWT/SWR network (except for a short period between 2004/2005, where I lived in Fareham), and had no contact with the 458s, and whenever I did use the SWT it was mainly the 450/444 which I found very nice. When i moved to feltham in 2009, I was slap bang in SWT, and specifically 458/0 territory. Initially cautious based on what I read about them, I quickly became to like them on the fast runs from feltham to Waterloo, as well as the odd occasional trip to Reading. There was somethign very comfortable about them when riding them which I could never fully pinpoint, but definately felt there. The conversion to 458/5 apart the looks, just didnt feel the same in comfort, especially when the conversions started running the Reading route, they didnt feel as composed at speed, especially on the stretch between Putney and Richmond. Also I felt the reliability did take a noticable drop with frequent Air Con failures, cleanliness issues and breakdowns. Whilst the 458/4 were a slight improvement on the 458/5, it never got back to the original /0 feel.

Again, I think my view may be a minority, but i will miss the memories of riding the 458/0 from waterloo to Feltham, and the occasional trips to Reading on them

I'm just surprised that the demise of the 458/5s has been pretty much ignored in enthusiast circles. I wonder if the demise of the 458/4s will be similarly ignored.

 

[43096]

May be a convtroversial view, but i am going to miss the 458, especially in the original 458/0 - guise (and the 460 in its pre conversion). I am aware the 458/0 were initially a very troubled train, though Wimbledon certain did their magic on them. Prior to 2009 I didnt live on the SWT/SWR network (except for a short period between 2004/2005, where I lived in Fareham), and had no contact with the 458s, and whenever I did use the SWT it was mainly the 450/444 which I found very nice. When i moved to feltham in 2009, I was slap bang in SWT, and specifically 458/0 territory. Initially cautious based on what I read about them, I quickly became to like them on the fast runs from feltham to Waterloo, as well as the odd occasional trip to Reading. There was somethign very comfortable about them when riding them which I could never fully pinpoint, but definately felt there. The conversion to 458/5 apart the looks, just didnt feel the same in comfort, especially when the conversions started running the Reading route, they didnt feel as composed at speed, especially on the stretch between Putney and Richmond. Also I felt the reliability did take a noticable drop with frequent Air Con failures, cleanliness issues and breakdowns. Whilst the 458/4 were a slight improvement on the 458/5, it never got back to the original /0 feel.

Again, I think my view may be a minority, but i will miss the memories of riding the 458/0 from waterloo to Feltham, and the occasional trips to Reading on them

I agree. I commuted on them daily for many years - they're the best trains we've had on the Reading line.