South West Trains News

shown top to bottom in reverse date order

There was a further visit to Chart Leacon by a member of South West Trains' class 455 fleet on 29th April 2008 when 5920 travelled down from Wimbledon, departing at 10+10. The reason for further work on this unit is unknown but it could possibly be for rectification under warranty and/or to standardise some features.

5920 is seen, left, passing through a very damp Tonbridge on its way to Ashford.
photograph by Colin Price

Early refurbished units receive further attention

5711, the first South West Trains Class 455 to be refurbished, traveled down to Chart Leacon on 29th February 2008. It is suspected that it may receive a partial repaint to bring its front end detail - black cab window surrounds and gentle forward curve to the "swoosh" - into line with the majority of the fleet. 5904 is the only other unit with similar treatment after which the livery application was modified to a more pronounced forward swoosh and blue cab window surrounds (as pictured below). The webmaster thinks it was right first time and the eventual front end treatment is no so easy on the eye.

5711 is seen here approaching Tonbridge on 29th February on its way to Chart Leacon.
photograph by Colin Price

With all of South West Trains' fleet of 455/7 and 455/9 (except accident damaged 5918) units having been refurbished, work has commenced on their older 455/8 units. 5857 was, on April 1st, the first to be reintroduced to service followed by 5867 on 14th April. Both units passed through Wimbledon on 17th April within four minutes of each other, above left, 5857 leading the 10.50 Waterloo to Woking (main line stopping) service and above right, 5867 trailing the 10.57 clockwise Kingston roundabout service. The photographer is far from convinced that the blue part of the swoosh suits the cab roof well!