For some reason, I thought they'd already started. Was somewhat disappointed last month when I had to go to Reading to find a pair of 450s on the line. I guess it shows how much attention I pay to what I ought to know
Yes, there is. It has been noticeably worse than it used to be. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that SWR have cut back on maintenance.
Genuinely surprised re: the opening of gangway doors. On 377s there are strict rules about having operational gangway doors due to these being fire doors...
The seats in the 458s are the original ones but in new layout with spacers between them giving more shoulder room (thank you to Ian Walmsley for that!).
On SWR 455s if they become defective they are often just simply removed pending repair or replacement with plenty of sets running around with them missing.
It's not unusual for internal doors on 377s to be open!
They're the original seats. You can tell the ex 460 ones because the backs are grey instead of beige. In general the full ex 460 units retain their grey backed seats, while the 460 trailers inserted into the 458s have the beige back seats rendered surplus from reducing from 2+3 to 2+2.
Appreciate that, but on prep from depot a train is not (supposed) to enter service if at least one side of the gangway is not fully operational. There are smoke detectors fitted to them that prevent the doors being opened by push button or sensor if the carriage is full of smoke, but they can still be opened manually to allow evacuation. This is one of the reasons the fire on 377442 did not spread.
