We can also rule out 237 as ROMIC still have this, and even if they end up scrapping it, this is at Great Yarmouth.
Chiming in here for the obligatory ”all Networkers have the original spec traction motors”… it’s only the traction inverters that were changed on the BREL/ABB units to Hitachi. The Brush motors are retained.
Yep more than likely donors. 235 has already been stripped of all useable parts. Last 2 carriages will be disposed of soon. There’s also an anonymous 466 at Doncaster that is currently being used as a donor. 236, 238, 239, 240, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249 and 250 are the ones currently confirmed for scrap.
13x 377s are coming over, while 24x 465/9s and circa 28x 466s remain in service, so I presume that side of the fleet can't be completely withdrawn. I'm wondering if the 377s actually see off some BREL units, given a) their reliability has been going downhill rapidly of late, b) the MetCams are still too numerous to completely withdraw, and c) While the 707s and MetCam units have a common owner in Angel Trains, the 377s (Porterbrook) and BREL units don't (Eversholt), so efficiency/commonality will be weaker anyway.
The Wabtec press release states that existing contracts will be completed - they just aren't tendering for any new UK jobs.
I believe it’s actually slightly more than you say - 25X 465/9 (Wikipedia incorrectly lists 465930 as stored) and 31X 466 left.
25 465/9s left and 29 466s left
Think a few are being used for spares to keep the rest going
The 10-coach 465-465-466 formations were replaced by 10-coach 707 formations. I think it has been noted before here are only so many 10-coach berthing spaces on the Southeastern network to stable 10-coach trains.
What about the 10 coach CHX-TBW peak terminators that require a toilet and have now gone back to 8 car?
Not all of them have gone back to 8-car; there are at least 2 out of 5 allocations that Tue-Thu are 10-car, and are rammed at least between Orpington and London Bridge (as the only fast services for the former station). 707s don't do these as they (currently) don't have toilets, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are not yet cleared to Tunbridge Wells. This might change when the 707s do get toilets, but 5 and 10-carriage formations are not as flexible as 6/8/10 carriage formations and are more useful on the metro routes with the higher standing capacity.
The 466s that have been withdrawn they would struggle to use. Southeastern doesn't have lots of stabling space for units so need to be sent elsewhere. Relatively few of the 8 car diagrams could be extended to ten, either due to stabling or the diagram going to 8-car platform stations.
That might what they're booked to do, but it's not uncommon for the odd 8-car diagram to include 2x466s. There appear to be 2 allocations today with this, plus 2x 10-car Networker allocations, which means an extra 5x 466s are running today compared to what you describe.
So as many of the Met Cams will be there to the end, presumably the NSE 465/9 should be one of them!
Well no, its because the /9s are basically the only remnants of the /2. They are essentially the same. /9s are very much a favourite because of the classic GTO vvvf sounds and motor noise overall. Most 465 fans like myself tend to preffer the met cams.
Well theres a good bit of met cams remaining and 13 ,377s arent gonna replace them all. They could get shifted around as they usually do. They get put on metro services and do semi fasts all the time.
Richard Clinnock is a trusted source... Rail journalist.
Cannon St and Victoria services tend to be shorter in the off peak periods: 8-10 car trains typically go down to 4-5 car. There are also some 12-car Charing X-Dartford via Bexleyheath and Sevenoaks' diagrams in the peak that are reduced to 8-car off peak. However, most Charing X metro diagrams remain 8-10 car all day, either because the demand is there, and/or there is nowhere they can easily chop and change length en route.
Which would give the oldest units a lifespan of 36-38 years, broadly in line with other EMU fleets.
The NR sectional appendix shows that 707s are NOT cleared to Tunbridge Wells, and that they're cleared beyond Sevenoaks to Tonbridge/Ashford Int'l as ECS only.
Victoria-Orpington is now 4tph off peak so it makes sense to shorten those. Cannon St is not exactly a hub of activity outside the peak.
The following cascade is happening:
