Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently

[Kieran1990]

There was some talk on here on there being 4 units bought back into service sooner than expected. Self contained on 2x Pompey fast diagrams. Allowing 444s & 450s referbs to begin sooner. Unsure if they'll be spruced up before or not
But it was only talk not confirmed

 

[E_Reeves]

3 left at Ely as of 9th September

 

[HarleyDavidson]

There was some talk on here on there being 4 units bought back into service sooner than expected. Self contained on 2x Pompey fast diagrams. Allowing 444s & 450s referbs to begin sooner. Unsure if they'll be spruced up before or not
But it was only talk not confirmed

Better get a considerable number of drivers and trainers retrained on them then. None at the moment as far as I am aware.

 

[Matt Taylor]

They are supposed to start service in 12 weeks, there has been not even a hint of crew training yet.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Having been DOO on GTR, do they need mods to reinstate guarded working?

 

[moley]

They are supposed to start service in 12 weeks, there has been not even a hint of crew training yet.

Is that the start of the December timetable?

 

[aleggatta]

Having been DOO on GTR, do they need mods to reinstate guarded working?

some guards panels had the release buttons covered on the guards panels, as they were not DOO on the stoppers to Brighton, and was southern's policy for driver release, however not all of them were covered, and I believe it was mainly the guards van buttons that were covered.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Is that the start of the December timetable?

That would sound about right, but subject to training.

Expect to see them on things like 0615 ex PMH and possibly 1800 ex WAT first.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Are there many drivers and guards at SWR who used to work them back when they used to be used by SWTs?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

There's quite a lot about, but because of the length of time since we last worked them and because there may be some modifications to the units carried out under the auspices of SN that we don't know about either.

So we'll need to have complete retraining on them. (Yes, I did work them, along with at least 3 other drivers at my depot)

 

[pompeyfan]

There's quite a lot about, but because of the length of time since we last worked them and because there may be some modifications to the units carried out under the auspices of SN that we don't know about either.

So we'll need to have complete retraining on them. (Yes, I did work them, along with at least 3 other drivers at my depot)

There's a surprising amount of old hands that now drive and either used to drive or guard them. Many remember them fondly, others hated them. Seems like they were like marmite on the PDL.

I wonder if there is any capacity to introduce the rumoured first stop Godalming/Haslemere by bringing in more units than they need to, if indeed December 17 has been highlighted, bring in 4 units, but refurb 2 at a time? It's safe to say no one on the coal face has a factual account of what is to happen.

For the record I'm also in favour of first stop Winchester/Salisbury too in the interests of balancing passenger loadings.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Guildford is a mandatory call.

 

[pompeyfan]

Guildford is a mandatory call.

In which sense if you don't mind me asking? Mandatory as in franchise spec, mandatory in terms of previous accidents (Salisbury for example) or something else? In times of disruption services have been instructed to skip Guildford (I've worked them). Just curious as I was unaware of the above.

 

[moley]

Guildford is a mandatory call.

On standard pattern services but not necessarily on peak extras.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Once SWR are ready to start doing test/trial runs with them (either before or after the retraction and refurb), will the test runs be only on the Waterloo-Portsmouth route?

 

[pompeyfan]

It depends on where the paths are and which routes the driver trainers sign. Personally think you'll see them on the mainline west of Poole and on the direct, possibly the New line too.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Personally think you'll see them on the mainline west of Poole

That would be my gut feeling as to the best place to test them, if they were to breakdown it wouldn't bugger up the timetable so bad

 

[spark001uk]

That would be my gut feeling as to the best place to test them, if they were to breakdown it wouldn't bugger up the timetable so bad

A piggie break down? Never!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

It depends on where the paths are and which routes the driver trainers sign. Personally think you'll see them on the mainline west of Poole and on the direct, possibly the New line too.

Don't forget that there's a power restriction West of Poole which limits the number of trains that you can run down there.

 

[pompeyfan]

Don't forget that there's a power restriction West of Poole which limits the number of trains that you can run down there.

Sorry, I got my East and West the wrong way round (I blame shift work!). I did mean east of Poole.

 

[Class455]

I believe I have just seen a 442 at Selhurst Depot in the sidings. Wonder why it's there?

 

[03_179]

I believe I have just seen a 442 at Selhurst Depot in the sidings. Wonder why it's there?

442402 in the North sidings.

Failed at Thornton Heath last week ...

 

[FenMan]

Guildford is a mandatory call.

Quite. Guildford is an interchange as well as a destination. Passengers travelling to North Downs Line stations from Gomshall to Crowthorne would not be happy if a Guildford stop was omitted.

 

[GW43125]

A piggie break down? Never!

Nope, they just catch fire instead

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Only if someone sticks litter and other detritus in the heating and air-conditioning vents or you don't give them enough TLC.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Quite. Guildford is an interchange as well as a destination. Passengers travelling to North Downs Line stations from Gomshall to Crowthorne would not be happy if a Guildford stop was omitted.

Well we did used to have 1P00 and 1P52? which used to be last & first call Haslemere, before the naff timetable we have now came into being.

 

[spark001uk]

Two more passed me heading south. 2403+2420. 47848 pulling.

 

[30907]

442402 in the North sidings.

Failed at Thornton Heath last week ...

There last night, gone by 11am.

 

[03_179]

We've had 408 on depot for inspection it took 402 away today.

 

[aar0]

It seems First have been planning the 442 move for a while... I saw this on a GWR HST last week:
20170911_201439, on Flickr
(Photograph shows an open bin in an HST, with "Class 442 Vestibule" stamped on the bag).