Quick question has their return to SWT been ruled out yet?
I don't think that answers the OPS question... [emoji52]Why would they want them back when they've got class 444s?
Quick question has their return to SWT been ruled out yet?
Absolutely no rumour of this and probably pretty pointless as the 707s will be here in just under two years.Plus we have the 456's and the 459's to free up the desiro's.Probably no chance.Weren't they originally based at Bournemouth anyway?
There would have to be a good reason- and there isn't one. Yes, people (rightly?) complain about 450s to Portsmouth etc- with 2+2 seating they'd be much better but would obviously have many less seats- but that alone isn't enough. As it is, the 707s will put the 458/5s onto the Reading trains, freeing up the 450s to all be on SWML services.
they probably should have stayed where that were and the 460s should also have stayed on the gatwicks, maybe supplemented by some 377s.
With discussion of electrifying Exeter-Waterloo, maybe they will have a use with SWT after all!
More rolling stock was required in order to extend the Gatwick Express service to Brighton (to justify paths out of London), the Class 442 fleet was going spare on account of the considerable difference in leasing cost compared to the abomination that was at the time, the Class 458.
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If we assume that they are indeed being considered, it depends how far they can go before hitting any OHLE conversion.
With discussion of electrifying Exeter-Waterloo, maybe they will have a use with SWT after all!
Probably a crazy question, but could the 442s be reformed - say get rid of the driving cars and lengthened to 7 cars, then be loco hauled to increase capacity to Exeter or on another route somewhere? Just for the short term. Not saying they should be, just wondering...
they probably should have stayed where they were and the 460s should also have stayed on the gatwicks, maybe supplimented by some 377s.
Maybe the big stock reshuffle currently occurring would have been a bit different.
Both refurbishments/reformations seem to be a big waste of money.
442s were perfect for poole/weymouth services with few stops. 444 uncomfortable in comparasion but that seems to be the in thing these days. Each new generation of new stock seems to be of lower quality than the last.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing
Yet again you are clouded by nostalgia :roll:.
The 444 Desiros are smoother, quieter, faster, have larger doors, lower step at the doors, and are more accessible in several ways.
Seats you'll never have consensus on, seats that are overly soft cause my back pain to flare up. The 444 and 450/455 ones are perfect.
yeh i mentioned that 377s couldve been used to suppliment 460s especially on the peak extended services.
Weren't the 442s criticised for having sloping seats that were not ideal for posture?
Clearly the compartments and bar had had their day but the ride quality is fantastic
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Do you find fgw 158 seats comfortable?
It's more trains of this class (444's) that are desperately needed on the division, as highlighted by the controversial use of 450's on the Portsmouth services and less well publicised, the use of 450's as substitutes or cover for 444's on some other services.
Probably a crazy question, but could the 442s be reformed - say get rid of the driving cars and lengthened to 7 cars, then be loco hauled to increase capacity to Exeter or on another route somewhere? Just for the short term. Not saying they should be, just wondering...
Assuming it hasn't changed with the current timetable, weekdays the 1005 Waterloo to Weymouth and 1420 Weymouth to Waterloo are booked 8.450 throughout. The 1905 Waterloo to Weymouth was a 444+450 hybrid and probably still is. Many of the Waterloo to Poole stoppers (only to Brockenhurst some hours) are booked 450s.
Personally I'm someone who thinks there is nothing wrong with 450s to Portsmouth .
Quick question has their return to SWT been ruled out yet?
Is there enough 444s that when the 707s start to come online that as stock gets shifted around the routes, absolutely every last service on the Weymouth-Waterloo route could be a 444?
It has never been suggested anywhere, so why would it need to be ruled out?
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Of course there are, there are 45 x 444s, more than enough to make the the Weymouth route 100% 444. They could do it now if they chose, by reducing the number of 444s used on other routes.
But why would they need to?
Forget about loco hauled,that was for the olden days.EMU's are far more simpler.We have more chance of steam making a comeback.(almost)