SEtrains
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458521 will make its way to Widnes if all goes to plan. It’s only staying at Eastleigh with locos for half a day. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02169/2024-03-14/detailed
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SWR Class 458 to be retained
- Thread starter pompeyfan
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Siemens Staines
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Thank you.
Nothing guaranteed but six units to enter service at the end of April after cab modifications (whatever they might be).
I would imagine it’s a deep clean, repaint and a new seat.
Hopefully there’s not an increase in station stop shorts.
Definitely a deep clean. 458521 had a deep clean before it went to Widnes.
I think an upgrade to TPWS mark 4 is included too, but I’m not 100% sure on that.
You’re probably right. Thanks for the insight.
Nym
Established Member
Enhanced TPWS or spesifically the Thales product…?
Just a conversion course
TT-ONR-NRN
Established Member
The situation is absolutely dire. Cab modifications should be forgotten about until the 701s are mass introduced, so that these can come in use to stand in ASAP.
It is better than no modifications and not ever entering service.
HamworthyGoods
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They won’t enter service without the cab modifications - they are classed as a new unit in that respect.
If you forget about the modifications you can forget about the trains.
You might not agree with the process, but the process is agreed and you won’t get that changed at short notice.
OneTrackMinded
Member
Do you have a source of any kind
I do, but not one that can be linked to.
Due to the 458 programme continuing SWR have asked Porterbrook to assist with cab modifications (whatever they might be) to get six 458/4s into service for the end of April.
458/5s are continuing to go to Widnes every 2 weeks for modification with 458501 the next to leave Bournemouth on 26th March.
Goldfish62
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The fact that this is at last being implemented speaks volumes about the likelihood of getting any 701s into service anytime soon.
OneTrackMinded
Member
I was thinking that. And that's also why I'm skeptical about it in general. Not only would doing something like this cost a lot more, but also would make it clear to the public and the press that they need to introduce trains which weren't intended to enter service because the trains that were supposed to operate on there aren't going to be ready for a decent amount of time. I personally just don't see it happening
You’re welcome to your opinion but I think you’ll be eating your hat.
The level of details provided by @Benno and the fact their source isn’t a driver / guard at x depot leads me to believe this could be a genuine tip and is someone close to the project.
Goldfish62
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It seems obvious from this thread and others that SWR are shortly going to run out of available rolling stock which would potentially result in temporary service reductions or daily short-formed trains which passengers are unable to board. That would be untenable when it's public knowledge that they have refurbished trains ready to go.
Of course SWR will get flack about the continued failure of the 701s to enter service, but they've been getting flack on that subject for the past few years!
Western Sunset
Established Member
Almost daily runs with 458/4s on BM - B'stoke ECS might be a clue...
It's not necessarily zero sum for SWR. If anyone asks the question about whether this is admitting to a further extended delay to the 701s, I'm sure their publicity machine could spin something about the 458/4s eventually allowing a more rapid withdrawal of the elderly 455s, rather than a slower introduction of 701s.
DelW
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The cold hard light of day penetrating SWR's ivory tower at long last?
Presumably someone has finally realised that if you keep disposing of trains that work, and replacing them with trains that either don't work or you refuse to use, you don't end up with a working railway any more.
One might hope that a few of the responsible heads might roll, but they'll probably be promoted to wreak more havoc elsewhere.
OneTrackMinded
Member
We will see, we will see.. but just after an SWR spokesperson said in an interview that there are "no plans for them to enter service", I really doubt they'd suddenly change their mind within 2 or 3 weeks. Majority of this sort of "they'll enter service here" and that is rumours that never happen... do you remember a few months ago when someone said they'd heard it'll enter service on the Alton to Basingstoke line?
Goldfish62
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That interview was a good few weeks ago, no doubt before it was evident that there'd be a further delay to the 701s entering service of sufficient magnitude that something else would have to happen. And in any case surely 2-3 weeks is sufficient to change minds - particularly as it's the DfT's mind that needed changing, not SWR.
What is the alternative? SWR can't magic up units out of thin air that they haven't got to provide the daily timetable. Maybe you're right, and consequently we'll see timetable reductions, but we're obviously going to find out what happens soon.
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norbitonflyer
Established Member
Already happened
Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer
Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer
tfl.gov.uk
Snow1964
Established Member
It also sounds like they are returning to the Waterloo - Windsor/Weybridge area where staff are still operating 5car versions, so can be done quickly with a conversion training, quick update compared to full conversion.
But at the moment appears to be no intention of using them on Portsmouth line, which might have been what spokesperson was referring to.
What exactly is a deep clean, compared to a clean. It sounds like just doing the job to a better standard than normally tolerated which could be opening can of worms, if it can be cleaned on one occasion why not more regularly.
I’m sure you’ll agree there are various levels of cleanliness.
the usual clean would probably be a wipe down and a periodical steam clean, however a deep clean would be to remove ingrained dirt and grime by removing various panels etc.
I’ve not heard of crew refusing a train due to grime in the cab, bodily fluids on the other hand….
Mainline421
Member
Very few people will be aware of this, and for the press them not being introduced would be the bigger scandal. It would be hard to spin "refurbished trains enter service" as a negative story (especially while 458/5s are still operating).
Big Jumby 74
Member
Think this will involve carpets (where fitted), seats (cushions and backs), air con grills in carriage roofs, etc, etc. There are specific heavy duty (static) machines for some of this work, but only at certain depots. Other depots don't physically have the space to accommodate the size of equipment required.