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GatEx 442 at Hove on 14 July

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Drsatan

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At 1115 on 14 July I noticed a GatEx 442 (didn't catch the TOPS number, sorry) parked in the carriage sidings at Hove. Is it common for 442s to be stabled there?
 
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TrainBoy98

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Yes, there is normally lots of them there. On the weekends 10 are there. I think southern really over estimated there need for so many trains for GatEx...
 

lewisf

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Yes, there is normally lots of them there. On the weekends 10 are there. I think southern really over estimated there need for so many trains for GatEx...

Which is why they're also used on Brighton expresses as well I guess. The one that doesn't stop at Gatwick!
 

387star

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Which is why they're also used on Brighton expresses as well I guess. The one that doesn't stop at Gatwick!

Which is also why they don't have Gatwick written on them. What branding is there inside?

Am I right the Eastbourne service isn't really an express?
 

neilm

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The branding inside is gatwick express, must be very confusing for tourists. There is a 442 in the morning from Eastbourne to London bridge and one in the evening back. Stops at east Croydon, but not gatwick...
 

ushawk

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Yes, there is normally lots of them there. On the weekends 10 are there. I think southern really over estimated there need for so many trains for GatEx...

They arent just used on the GatEx ;)

Most if 442s are used on Monday - Friday peaks - always a few spare though. Weekends they arent used much though, except on the GatEx.

All Gatwick Express branding has been replaced by just "Express" now, which makes sense for the services they operate (excluding the Eastbourne peaks).
 

TrainBoy98

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I still dont see why they got/are getting rid of the 460s? (460001 is still in service as i saw it at Vic on saturday) They are so much better than what we have instead...
 

ushawk

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I still dont see why they got/are getting rid of the 460s? (460001 is still in service as i saw it at Vic on saturday) They are so much better than what we have instead...

The 460 coaches (excluding the driving ends) are being used to strengthen the SWT 458s from 8-car to 10-car for use on Windsor line services.

460001 and 460002 still get some run outs on the GatEx, usually to cover for unavailable 442s.
 

TrainBoy98

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I know they are being used else where but why them? couldnt SWT just use the 442s as separate trains instead of lenthening?

You said to cover for unavailible 442s? Yet i saw at least 4 442s on saturday at hove but 460001 was at Victoria.
 

Chris125

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Its all about capacity at the end of the day - a larger fleet of units which can operate both GatEx and (when doubled up) the Brighton Express makes better use of limited paths on the BML while freeing up 377's for other services. 442's might not be ideal for airport services, but they were available at the time and freed up the 460's for lengthening 458's.

Chris
 

Monty

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I know they are being used else where but why them? couldnt SWT just use the 442s as separate trains instead of lenthening?

You said to cover for unavailible 442s? Yet i saw at least 4 442s on saturday at hove but 460001 was at Victoria.

SWT handed them back because of the leasing costs back in 2007, so I doubt they would be so keen to take them back so soon. They are only really suitable for mainline work, not the suburban routes the rebuilt 458s are required for (services to Windsor and Weybridge). Another thing worth mentioning despite the platform lengthening that has taken place on the Windsor line, 444/442s will not fit as they are 23 metres per coach, where 450/458s at 20 metres per coach will.
 
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Juniper Driver

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SWT handed them back because of the leasing costs back in 2007, so I doubt they would be so keen to take them back so soon. They are only really suitable for mainline work, not the suburban routes the rebuilt 458s are required for (services to Windsor and Weybridge). Another thing worth mentioning despite the platform lengthening that has take place on the Windsor line, 444/442s will not fit as they are 23 metres per coach, where 450/458s at 20 metres per coach will.

This.
 
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