Juniper: Classes 458 and 460

The Juniper is a standard design of multiple-unit, developed by Alstom, that can be configured to meet varying requirements. However, orders have been few and the only units, other than those used by South West Trains and Gatwick Express, are a batch of 40 built for use on ac lines in the Glasgow area. Although units were built in UK, the steel body shells were fabricated in Spain.

Both types of dc unit have Alstom ONIX 800 270kW three-phase traction motors, two per motor coach and both mounted on the same bogie, with insulated gate bi-polar transistor (IGBT) control. This means that a single piece of equipment produces the three phase supply to the traction motors, rather than three separate inverters required on Networkers. Units have disc and regenerative brakes and are fitted with Scharfenberg couplings. Collector shoes are mounted on all motor bogies. Maximum speed is 100 mph. Carriages are air-conditioned.

Class 458 South Western outer-suburban

This is a four coach type, designed for outer-suburban services and used on the Reading line. Each unit comprises a pair of driving motor composites, a motor and a trailer. Standard class seating is mostly 2+3. The 1st class saloons, adjacent to the drivers cabs, have 2+2 seating. The trailer coach has a disabled toilet and space for two wheelchairs. There is a conventional toilet in the non-driving motor coach. Each coach has two pairs of plug doors both sides.

Units are capable of conversion to ac operation, with provision for a pantograph to be mounted on the trailer standard. There is a gangway at unit ends, but the corridor connection is hidden behind doors. The units are in South West Trains blue and white livery, with red doors.

The first class 458 was delivered towards the end of 1998, but most were not received until 2000/01. Passenger operation, initially on a limited basis, started in February 2000. South West Trains has been dissatisfied with the reliability of the units, which have spent long periods out of service for modifications. Despite an improvement in availability, SWT intends to cease using the trains in 2006 . Up to four may be adapted for use on Gatwick Express services.

• Built: Alstom, Washwood Heath
• Owner: Porterbrook
• Operator: South West Trains
• Seats: Driving trailer composite 12 1st, 63 standard; Motor standard 75; Trailer standard 48
• Number series: 458001 to 458030 (8001 to 8030 shown on the vehicles)

 Class 460 Gatwick Express

 These striking units are used on the Gatwick Express service. Each unit has eight coaches, comprising a driving motor coach with a large luggage van and small first class saloon, a trailer first, trailer composite, two motor coaches, a trailer, another motor coach and a driving motor. First class seating is 2+1 and standard is 2+2. The trailer first and one of the standard trailers include a disabled toilet and wheelchair space. The driving motor luggage first includes a space for berthing the refreshment trolley. The seating in this coach is low-backed and lacks arms, while the other first class saloons have high-backed armchairs. There are two pairs of plug doors both sides of each coach, except that with the luggage van which has a single pair. The kitsch front end makes the train look like something out of a comic book. Coach sides are dark blue and grey, but roofs are bright red and that of the driving motor standard is lettered 'Gatwick Express' to attract the attention of incoming customers at the airport. The units entered passenger service in 2000. As with the class 488/489 trains, units work with the luggage van at the north end.