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South West Trains News shown top to bottom in reverse date order |
159107 the start of a new livery variation? |
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The rebuilding of former Transpennine Express three car class 158 units to class 159/1 for South West Trains included making them RVAR (i.e. disability) compliant and as with the previous Class 442 C6 overhauls this has included painting passenger doors within the "swoosh" part of the livery in a contrasting colour - in both cases orange. However, 159107 was out-shopped with all doors on the unit orange rather than the red customarily used in the South West Trains mainline livery. It has yet to be established whether this is an experiment, the start of a new livery or a mistake! (right) 159107 at Waterloo on 17th April prior to working the 13.50 to Gillingham (Dorset).
Update:159108 entered service on Monday 23rd April and this unit also has orange external doors throughout. |
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| First 159/1 Unit Enters Service | |
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South West Trains first 159/1 unit
159102, formerly unit 158803, entered service this week. The unit is pictured (top left)
at Waterloo on 12th December coupled to 170307 having worked the 14.45 service from
Salisbury. It is confirmed that the unit also worked (at least) the 10.45
Salisbury-Waterloo and 12.50 Waterloo-Salsibury services. (top right) The immaculate
interior of 159102 which the photographer comments was a shame to let passengers use! It is also confirmed
that two of South West Trains '
170 units, 170301 and 170302 departed the south on Monday 11th December heading for First TransPennine Express. |
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| South West Trains' 159/1 Preview | |
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Legendary
railway photographer Brian Morrison has sent the Southern Electric Group these two
photographs of conversion work underway in Wabtec's UK works at Doncaster to convert 158803 to 159102 for South West Trains. South West Trains is increasing the capacity of its diesel unit fleet without increasing the number of units and also creating a fleet with all units of a similar age by "exchanging" five of its newer two car class 170 Turbostar units for teenaged three car class 158 units from First TransPennine Express. South West Trains will be retaining three 170s for the Romsey service (one as spare) until the end of 2007 and it is believed 170392 may go to Southern. This unit was built to Southern's specification as 170727 as part as a follow-on order and emerged from Derby works in Southern livery before being repainted into South West Trains' livery. For pictures please click here. Southern is known to be in need of increasing its diesel unit fleet because capacity is strained during peak times.) |
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| The 158 units are being converted at Wabtec's Doncaster works although
fitting 400hp engines (as per 159/0, themselves converted from later batch 400hp three car
158 units) is not included. The
conversions will be as follows: As of 16th October 158800, 158803 and
158804 were in the works and 158805 and 158807 were on hand in Doncaster West Yard.
Initial formation details are listed as 159102 is expected to enter service before Christmas and is already allocated on the system to Salisbury. |
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This feature is brought to you by the Southern Electric Group as a service to its members and enthusiasts. The Southern Electric Group is the only group covering all aspects of the Southern Electric System past , present and future. If you are not a member you are very welcome to join the group. For more details please follow the links bottom left. |
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| Find out more about the SEG or about
membership and to print out a membership application form. |
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This page updated
20th May 2007 by Colin Duff. |
