Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently

[dorsetdesiro]

SWR have tweeted a picture of the refurb as it starts

https://twitter.com/SW_Railway/status/968084317288194048

Yay! Looking forward to see the 442s back on home territory, pity these will be more a common sight at Portsmouth instead of Bournemouth like the old days. At least Portsmouth is not millions of miles away from here also I probably will get a glimpse of these whenever I'm passing through Waterloo or Clapham.

I could leave the car at Fareham or Cosham then take a 442, it'll be 12 years since I last sat in one, into Portsmouth Harbour as the roads into city can be pretty bad on weekends with good weather!

Fingers crossed the 442s will be fitted with the exact same seats as the 444s (Grammar?) instead of the horrible Thameslink ironing boards.

 

[physics34]

Yay! Looking forward to see the 442s back on home territory, pity these will be more a common sight at Portsmouth instead of Bournemouth like the old days. At least Portsmouth is not millions of miles away from here also I probably will get a glimpse of these whenever I'm passing through Waterloo or Clapham.

I could leave the car at Fareham or Cosham then take a 442, it'll be 12 years since I last sat in one, into Portsmouth Harbour as the roads into city can be pretty bad on weekends with good weather!

Fingers crossed the 442s will be fitted with the exact same seats as the 444s (Grammar?) instead of the horrible Thameslink ironing boards.

I thought they were keeping the current seats, just with new covers??

 

[pompeyfan]

Yay! Looking forward to see the 442s back on home territory, pity these will be more a common sight at Portsmouth instead of Bournemouth like the old days. At least Portsmouth is not millions of miles away from here also I probably will get a glimpse of these whenever I'm passing through Waterloo or Clapham.

I could leave the car at Fareham or Cosham then take a 442, it'll be 12 years since I last sat in one, into Portsmouth Harbour as the roads into city can be pretty bad on weekends with good weather!

Fingers crossed the 442s will be fitted with the exact same seats as the 444s (Grammar?) instead of the horrible Thameslink ironing boards.

If you left the car at Fareham or Cosham you’d be on a 444/450 or a 158.

I’d imagine they will only ever run via Eastleigh when the direct goes pop and where crew knowledge allows. They almost certainly won’t get any special stop orders either, as is the case now on diverted 1P/2P services.

 

[dorsetdesiro]

I thought they were keeping the current seats, just with new covers??

You could be right, if this is the case then OK! I suggested the 444/450 seating may be fitted to the 442s as the 455s/456s received these when these were refurbished last time round.

The revamped 442s are starting to resemble more like 444s which I assume SWR may be attempting to bring the two train types closer in appearance and styling so perhaps the same sort of seating for the 442s as 444s?

 

[dorsetdesiro]

If you left the car at Fareham or Cosham you’d be on a 444/450 or a 158.

I’d imagine they will only ever run via Eastleigh when the direct goes pop and where crew knowledge allows. They almost certainly won’t get any special stop orders either, as is the case now on diverted 1P/2P services.

Ha ha! You're right, my geographical knowledge of anywhere east of Portsmouth isn't brilliant! I suppose I'll have to park up at Bedhampton or Havant. I thought the Portsmouth Direct Line joins in at Fareham not Havant so thanks for the correction.

 

[moley]

The revamped 442s are starting to resemble more like 444s which I assume SWR may be attempting to bring the two train types closer in appearance and styling so perhaps the same sort of seating for the 442s as 444s?

That is very much the intention. The passenger experience is aimed at being identical.

 

[Dougal2345]

That is very much the intention. The passenger experience is aimed at being identical.

Hope that doesn't mean they'll deliberately make the air conditioning incredibly noisy in the 442s

 

[nowananorack]

Any update(s) on the re-furbishment or re-tractioning?
Yesterday I saw two units in grey at Bournemouth from the city gates roundabout. Don't know if they are re-tractioned units or waiting to go to Eastleigh

 

[VEP3417]

would have liked to see thos, maybe they where on a test run

 

[winks]

Can’t wait to see these units back. Well built, snug and still look really good despite their age!

Any ideas how long SWR intend to use them for ?

 

[The_Engineer]

Any ideas how long SWR intend to use them for ?

They are leased for the length of their franchise - which justifies the money being spent on retractioning.

 

[winks]

Hmmm not sure the money refurbing them is worth 7 yrs use to be honest but will be good to see them operating again.

 

[BestWestern]

Hmmm not sure the money refurbing them is worth 7 yrs use to be honest but will be good to see them operating again.

Well, it seems likely it'll be better value for money than the 455s, 458s and 707s!

 

[Dougal2345]

Well built, snug and still look really good despite their age!

I think the snug has gone hasn't it?

 

[hexagon789]

I think the snug has gone hasn't it?

Ages ago.

 

[winks]

They were snug on Gatwick Express!

 

[hexagon789]

They were snug on Gatwick Express!

I assume you mean the legroom/seating was tight as I'm sure the buffet car snugs went under SWT replaced with additional Standard Class seating.

 

[dp21]

Latest I heard is that there have been some electrical issues relating to signalling interference which the 442s have always had however Kiepe have just unearthed. NR have therefore said they won't let them back on the network until it's been resolved (can you imagine if something went wrong) despite nothing having occurred in the last 30 or however many years.

Wouldn't be surprised to see this delay their introduction.

 

[Domh245]

That sounds odd. Usually signalling interference comes from the traction package, which has been completely replaced with one near identical to that of the 455s so I wouldn't have thought that it'd be that?

 

[dp21]

That sounds odd. Usually signalling interference comes from the traction package, which has been completely replaced with one near identical to that of the 455s so I wouldn't have thought that it'd be that?

The info I was given was kept very vague but they did mention it was to do with the traction gear. I'm not sure, as you say, why that would continue to be an issue if they're replacing it completely but I'll keep my ear to the ground. Perhaps there are some bits which are or at least were to be retained?

 

[WarrenTManager]

I thought all the traction was being replaced. The hotel power eg static converter I don’t think is.

 

[hexagon789]

I thought all the traction was being replaced. The hotel power eg static converter I don’t think is.

They are supposed to be getting new a.c. traction motors I believe.

 

[pompeyfan]

They are supposed to be getting new a.c. traction motors I believe.

They are, but it’s likely that some will enter traffic with a refurb but DC traction.

 

[hexagon789]

They are, but it’s likely that some will enter traffic with a refurb but DC traction.

Presumably the camshaft control system as well then. Is the refurb retaining the old-style auto air/EP brake systems?

 

[winks]

When are we likely to see the first 442 service ? December or sooner ?

 

[hwl]

Presumably the camshaft control system as well then. Is the refurb retaining the old-style auto air/EP brake systems?

No - new system from Knorr Bremse allowing regenerative braking will be installed

 

[pompeyfan]

When are we likely to see the first 442 service ? December or sooner ?

The first few should be coming online within the next few months, there is already a dedicated diagram running as 12.450 which will run as 10.442 when the stock is ready and enough training has been done. Personally think it’s going to be tight to get all units ready by December though.

 

[hexagon789]

No - new system from Knorr Bremse allowing regenerative braking will be installed

Wasn't sure if that could be fitted over the auto air/EP. So presumably Class 444/450 style fully variable braking then.

 

[infobleep]

The first few should be coming online within the next few months, there is already a dedicated diagram running as 12.450 which will run as 10.442 when the stock is ready and enough training has been done. Personally think it’s going to be tight to get all units ready by December though.

If the units aren't ready would they be able to run services short formed, so that all the new services run, abet not with the number of coaches planned?

 

[pompeyfan]

If the units aren't ready would they be able to run services short formed, so that all the new services run, abet not with the number of coaches planned?

I believe the intent is not to allow any 5 car 442s out in service, as there are concerns over their ability to climb the banks between Haslemere and Guildford. That said they could short form 444s on the Weymouth runs to cover any dropped services. With the heavy amendments on Weymouth runs after the consultation though, I’m not sure they’ll have enough units. Time will tell.