Perhaps the greatest change, prompted by the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Study, is the starting of morning peak Gatwick Express up services from Brighton (stopping various stations to Gatwick airport thence fast to Victoria) using 10 car Class 442 units. Then the reverse in the evening peak for down workings. This significantly increases the number of seats.

An insufficient number of re-furbished units available saw two un-refurbished units in service.

(above left) At Brighton on the morning of 16th December, on the left un-refurbished 2413+2405 which will be the 07:30 departure to Victoria and on the right re-furbished 442424+442421 which will be the 07:44 service.
(left) The country ends of the above trains at the buffer stops.

photographs by Colin Scott-Morton

One feature of the revised Gatwick Express peak service is that the Class 460 units working Victoria - Gatwick Airport shuttles displaced by the Class 442 workings are laid-over during the peaks in the sidings at Gatwick Airport. On 6th January 2009 006, 007 and 005 are stabled waiting to form the 09:05, 08:50 and 09:20 services to Victoria.

photograph by Colin Price

Unfortunately the Class 442 units, which were known for their reliability when working with South West Trains, have not so far lived up to their previous reputation. This is probably due to a combination of their long period in store and unfamiliarity to Southern staff. Hopefully this is only the sort of teething trouble experienced with new ventures.

Here, on 5th January substituting for a failed 10Wes, 377324 + 377316 + 377117 work the 08:30 Victoria to Gatwick Airport through Salfords.

photograph by Colin Price

Old and new Gatwick Express units are about to pass at Horley on the 6th January, except the "new" stock is around 12 years older than than the "old" stock!

46006 has just departed Gatwick Airport with the 09:05 service to Victoria whilst 442417 and 442402 approach with the 08:30 working from Victoria. On the left 377465, 377423 and 377470 are on a Victoria to Littlehampton service.

photograph by Colin Price