Class 455s what are you views on them?

[43021HST]

What are your views on class 455s?

Personally I dont know wether I like them or I hate them, it may sound odd but I like the design of them because it looks old. I dont know what the insides of them are like.

 

[4SRKT]

455s are pretty ugly and functional. They do however date from the days when trains were mostly made in York, which was obviously a very good thing, at least for people from York.

 

[Drsatan]

I've always had a soft spot for the 455s:

My grandma's house overlooked Ewell West station on the Raynes Park-Epsom line and when I was young I was attracted by the sight of 455s in NSE (and later SWT) livery either stopping there or running through non-stop. At the time I really liked the distinctive whining sound they made when pulling away from stations.

Other than that, the 455s seem to have done their job of ferrying around commuters on the former South Western & Central divisions pretty well. Plus, they've always looked good in NSE livery!

 

[SWT Driver]

A park bench on wheels, utilitarian, very basic a commuter train with no frills.

Mechanically quite simple, technologically light years out of date, but reliable.
Air/Oil Camshaft controlled, so notchable, Disc Braked with WSP.

Driving wise?

Simple and easy to drive, Brake handle with R/R, 1, 2, 3 & Em (with time penalty), Power Handle with 0, 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Tightlock couplers with 42 pin MU jumper.

 

[Drsatan]

A park bench on wheels, utilitarian, very basic a commuter train with no frills.

Tightlock couplers with 42 pin MU jumper.

The pre-refurbishment examples had a utilitarian charm about them, I guess, even though most passengers wouldn't agree with me on that one

 

[Lampshade]

I have a real soft spot for 455s, a 455 was the first train I travelled on post-privatisation (Fulwell - London Waterloo) in 1997

It had the original black door buttons, I was travelling round the SWT network in April 2008 longingly looking for a train with them, but they'd all been refurbished

Prior to then it was Staines - London Waterloo return in December 1995, on whatever used to run that route back then, I'm guessing a 423.

 

[SWT Driver]

It's odd to think that when I first travelled on one on a traction trainee course, when I got off at Clapham Jn, I was sick.

Now I drive them, they still make me sick... Sick of working the (censored) things!

 

[yorksrob]

What are your views on class 455s?

Personally I dont know wether I like them or I hate them, it may sound odd but I like the design of them because it looks old. I dont know what the insides of them are like.

I couldn't help but smile at your post as when I started in my rail enthusiast days on the Southern, I would go out of my way to avoid the 455's as they were far too modern for my taste compared to the slammers everywhere else. That said, they do have a retro charm nowadays and I have a soft spot for them as they are similar internally to the 150's up North (which are infinately better than certain other DMU's which shall remain nameless ).

Also, they are relatively old and have just gone through a refurbishment which means in longevity terms they are likely to be right up there with the best of the Southern EMU's (I of course include the phase 2 CIG's and VEP's amongst these as they were prematurely withdrawn and would have easily fulfilled their full 40 years).

One problem with them, frequently outlined by my friend who lives in Twickenham, is that in true inner-suburban style, they lack toilets. Not a problem so much in inner London, however, when I lived in Reading for a short period in 2001, It used to irritate me no end when the usual weekday Reading - Waterloo VEP's would be substituted on the weekends by 455's. Did they seriously think that just because the 455's were around 12 years younger than the VEP's, travellers from beyond Feltham would consider inner suburban non-toilet stock as a weekend treat?

 

[jopsuk]

I've always had a soft spot for the 455s:

My grandma's house overlooked Ewell West station on the Raynes Park-Epsom line and when I was young I was attracted by the sight of 455s in NSE (and later SWT) livery either stopping there or running through non-stop. At the time I really liked the distinctive whining sound they made when pulling away from stations.

Other than that, the 455s seem to have done their job of ferrying around commuters on the former South Western & Central divisions pretty well. Plus, they've always looked good in NSE livery!

Not that far from where my gran's house was then! from the back window of my grandparents house on Stoneleigh Broadway, you could see and hear them arriving from and departing towards Ewell West. They'll always to me be associated with the final leg of train journeys from Scotland to see my dad's folks, and the day trips into the city.

 

[Aictos]

Although I've yet to sample their delights, they are like the 313s in that they're used exactly for what they were intended for and still going strong.

 

[asylumxl]

They are simple. They are reliable.

But personally i'd rather take a 450.

 

[thefab444]

They're not bad at all really. The Southern refurbs are a bit dingy (although still better than original), but the SWT ones are rather nice, almost entirely new feeling inside (and they were refurbished a good few years ago now!).

 

[royaloak]

They are simple. They are reliable.

But personally i'd rather take a 450.

Deal I will have the 455, you can have the disastro!

 

[4SRKT]

Deal I will have the 455, you can have the disastro!

By 450 I took him to mean an NIR thumper with a 455 bodyshell.

 

[Drsatan]

One problem with them, frequently outlined by my friend who lives in Twickenham, is that in true inner-suburban style, they lack toilets. Not a problem so much in inner London, however, when I lived in Reading for a short period in 2001, It used to irritate me no end when the usual weekday Reading - Waterloo VEP's would be substituted on the weekends by 455's. Did they seriously think that just because the 455's were around 12 years younger than the VEP's, travellers from beyond Feltham would consider inner suburban non-toilet stock as a weekend treat?

The 455s are used on Waterloo-Guildford services via Epsom, a journey of one hour and 11 minutes off-peak. Though not many people would ride on that service for its entirety (given that faster journeys are possible on Portsmouth Direct services), the lack of a toilet is irritating if you get on at an intermediate station. A few years ago I got on at Ewell West to go to Guildford, a journey of about 45 minutes, and by the time I got to Guildford I was dying for a ****. Being about 14 I could "hold on", but what if you have a weak bladder, are elderly, or pregnant. Some might say: "get off at the next station, use the loo there and get on half-an-hour later", but what if there's no toilet at the station you get off at, or it's closed? Worth thinking about.:roll:
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The Southern refurbs are a bit dingy (although still better than original), but the SWT ones are rather nice, almost entirely new feeling inside (and they were refurbished a good few years ago now!).

Refurbishment of SWT's 455 fleet finished last year I think. And I would agree with you in saying that SWT's refurb is definitely superior. The interior feels brighter because the interior panels were resprayed whereas on Southern's 455s they weren't.

 

[Death]

Personally, I'd choose a 455 over a Desiro...The 455's are stronger, simpler, more reliable, potentially faster (No speed limiter or computers fitted) and built in York - 'Nuff said!

...The lack of a toilet [on 455's] is irritating...

I have to say that I once had to endure a non-stop journey from Woking to Waterloo (Via the Richmond Loop) on a 455 that was the last working of the night into London, and the absence of an on-board toilet was an extreme inconvenience (Pun not intended) to myself.

After this journey, I did write to SWT asking if small lavvys could be installed on those trains to avoid such issues, but they responded to the effect that - Though toilets are provided in many cases as a courtesy towards passengers - There is no legal obligation for them to have such facilities on board any train. hock:

 

[SouthEastern-465]

They're not bad at all really. The Southern refurbs are a bit dingy (although still better than original), but the SWT ones are rather nice, almost entirely new feeling inside (and they were refurbished a good few years ago now!).

I would agree with CeliaDrummond too he took the words right out my mouth!

 

[Failed Unit]

Though toilets are provided in many cases as a courtesy towards passengers - There is no legal obligation for them to have such facilities on board any train. hock:

I guess if they didn't on routes such as London - Exeter & Weymouth they wouldn't have many passengers. Imaging XC not having toilets!

 

[peradon]

455s are ok and do their jobs well enough.

I will not say any more because there is nothing more to say other than 'replace with 377s'

 

[poshbakerloo]

The 455s aren't all bad. Sure they don't look the most artistic of trains, but they are MK3 based and have a good top speed for commuter services.

 

[thefab444]

After this journey, I did write to SWT asking if small lavvys could be installed on those trains to avoid such issues

It's down to wheelchair people requiring a toilet if normal people have a toilet. If you install a new lavatory for normal pax, you've got to have a huge one for wheelchair pax. Therefore, it's easier just to have no toilets at all.

 

[SWT Driver]

Besides all DaFT think about is bums on seats, also you'd only get the inbreds who frequent the network treat them as smoking/drug taking parlours or graffiti scrawling cubicals.

You only need to see the state of the bog's on the 458's & 450's to see that.

 

[Drsatan]

The 455s aren't all bad. Sure they don't look the most artistic of trains, but they are MK3 based and have a good top speed for commuter services.

Their top speed is only 75mph which limits their range, but they have good acceleration nonetheless. I think someone stated on this forum that the 455s were built with upgrading to 100mph operation in mind, along with installing air con if the need arose.

 

[SWT Driver]

They're good for 80+ as has been proven in the dim & distant past.

[Walks away whistling]

 

[Tom C]

455s are ok and do their jobs well enough.

I will not say any more because there is nothing more to say other than 'replace with 377s'

No thanks!

I have gone out of my way to find out which of my local trains are 377's and then try everything possible to simply avoid them.

455's are very basic but thats a good thing. They turn up, you get on, you sit down......if you are feeling a tad warm and fancy a cool breeze (or force 9 gale) then simply open the window. Then you stand up, open the doors and get off. What more could you possibly want on a suburban railway?

Plus you have the added bonus of the EE507 traction motors which if you close your eyes and think really hard, you could think you on an EPB which were much, much better..............

I need to get out more..............

 

[SWT Driver]

You needs therapy bro! You needs therapy.

 

[Tom C]

You needs therapy bro! You needs therapy

Now more than ever!!!!!

 

[SWT Driver]

If you think you need therapy now, just don't get on a morning peak service as of Thursday when I return to work!

You'll need tranquillisers!

 

[jopsuk]

It's down to wheelchair people requiring a toilet if normal people have a toilet. If you install a new lavatory for normal pax, you've got to have a huge one for wheelchair pax. Therefore, it's easier just to have no toilets at all.

I find it a bit odd that they weren't just built as "3rd rail 317s" with a pair of narrow loos in the non driving trailer. The requirement for accesible loos didn't exist when they were built.

 

[4SRKT]

I find it a bit odd that they weren't just built as "3rd rail 317s" with a pair of narrow loos in the non driving trailer. The requirement for accesible loos didn't exist when they were built.

The 4-SUBs they replaced and EPBs they displaced didn't have bogs either. But then they didn't even have open stock or side corridors.