Having used BOTH classes extensively on the Reading/Winsor/Hounslow lines, I FEEL the following differences (This is just purely my feeling, maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong). I have a few questions too.
The 450s appear to accellerate from standstill up to about 10mph a bit quicker, however, the 458's do seem to be able to keep going after. I just dont feel the same press into the seat feeling on the 458 as I get on the 450 when accellerating from a standstill, though that may also be due to the Desiro's hard seats
The 2x2 abreast seating on the 458 is probably far superior, as each seat appears to have slightly better width, and there is MUCH more space for standing. You can only practically stand on a 450 in the doorway areas (are they still called vestubiles on a 1/3 2/3 type train carraige?), the aisles are far too narrow, to stand whilst allowing people to pass.
The seats are better on the 458s, but not sure how long the softness/springyness is going to last without TLC.
As mentioned before, the jerk but not that severe that occurs on some carraiges when it pulls off, does make the 450 seems smoother.
The 450 has two powered coaches per four car formation, whilst the 458 has three per five, though I am not sure how many bogies are powered.
The doors on the 458 are electric, compared to the pneumatic 450s. The 458 are definately far quicker to open, and doesnt have the issues that the 450s have on certain slopes. However, I have also experienced more door failures recently on the 458.
The 458 has unlockable manual opening windows available on the ex 458/0 carraiges (not the ex gatwick 460s), which is usefull since recently there has been many cases where I have been on a 458 where the AC has failed (see below).
450s sometimes seem cleaner (some of the earlier 458/5 conversions are looking rather drab)
There seems to be some maintainance issues on the 458s since conversion. Prior to conversions, the 458/0 seemed to have become quite reliable, with most trains working well, looking clean, and few faults (as a passenger anyway). Since conversion, I have been on many 458s which have had issues the last year, ranging from door faults (stuck at whitton onces for over 15 mins whilst that was sorted out), Air conditioning issues, (three trians I have been on in the last two months had failed AirCon, leading to a VERY uncomfortable environment, especially when the guard does not unlock the opening windows where available). One particular hot dar, I had to disembark, as I was feeling very feint.
Moving to the future, I cant wait till the 7xxs come on the windsor lines as they will be more suited to that line, and the 458s moved back to the reading lines, after some serious look into the issues first. Will miss the 450s though :cry:
