brad465
Established Member
Apologies if this turns out to be rather obvious, but I'm guessing SWR are taking advantage of the reduced demand to effectively mothball 458s.
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Class 707 to Southeastern Dates
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43096
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Not that I know of - they did derail one in Clapham Yard recently which won't help.
4-SUB 4732
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That I can gather SWR are effectively obliged to provide normal formations, but are just down a couple of peak workings which often interwork so some units are just having a bit more downtime.
Given the nature of the beast, I was advised that SWR are only releasing two 707s in January (?) or very early next year. That just enables static training (1) and practical handling (2). When 701s come online, 707s will be going first, then 458s, then 455s and 456s at the very end.
Given the nature of the beast, I was advised that SWR are only releasing two 707s in January (?) or very early next year. That just enables static training (1) and practical handling (2). When 701s come online, 707s will be going first, then 458s, then 455s and 456s at the very end.
py_megapixel
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Seems a little odd doesn't it, getting rid of units in reverse order of age!
4-SUB 4732
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Well you have a number of reasons. If 455s are cheapest, have had their lovely new underfloor equipment and are fully PRM-modified, you might as well keep them. They’re only going on then for a tiny bit longer.
As no operator is found for the 458s, to the scrapheap they go. Keeping the largest fleet, eg 455 and 456, keeps costs just a bit lower too as you maintain the set of spares etc for a huge number and remove the smaller, more non-standard fleet.
Goldfish62
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There also seems to be an increasing number of 455s on Reading services at the moment.
Yes, although that is covering for unavailable 458s rather than booked. Been 3 or 4 455 sets out on Readings daily this week.
swt_passenger
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Not at all odd, as has been discussed in a number of the previous threads about the SWR fleet change. The 707s are after all the only units with a future use, the rest are not subject to any deadlines.
DorkingMain
Member
I don't believe that is the case, I think it's more low adhesion causing wheel flats etc. As said above SWR are still booked to use 10 car formation on those services.
Only 1 or 2 10 car sets are being released to Southeastern. The plan for disposal is still 458 > 455 > 707 otherwise, the 458s being disposed of first because of the state they're in
43096
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Or, more accurately, because of the state SWR have allowed them to get into.
Goldfish62
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What have they been doing with them, or, rather, not doing?
charley_17/7
Member
I believe the first set(s) are coming across on the 16th. First going to Grove Park for some minor mods and then off to Ashford for driver training purposes. After that they are then going to Slade Green for depot familiarisation.
I wonder why Ashford for driver training purposes considering they will be used on metro services? I thought the driver training was taking place at Orpy.
Any idea what the mods are oging to be or why they are getting modded ?
PIS for one surely?
Why mod the PIS ? Change the database etc. for sure, but I'm not sure what 'mods' would be needed.
Probably change of seat covers, interior logos, changing the livery to white etc.
Just needs reprogramming. Still perfectly fine.
On paper, changing the PIS database would still be considered a mod, not implying any hardware changes are required but its still technically a modification to the spec of the train to use X database instead of Y. Likewise it would still be considered a mod to change the internal signage from SWR to SET (along with a new spec needing to be written for signage layout etc). I don't think we will see any real 'Hardware' changes at this time, i.e. equipment, seat covers or train colour, as the details of this leasing is still relatively blurred given the state of the agreements between the TOCs and the DFT being so up in the air at the moment.
urpert
Member
I will eat my hat if they enter service in anything other than the red livery with Southeastern stickers.
Juniper Driver
Established Member
Toilets can be fitted AFAIK. There is a filling plate on the side of one of the coaches.(or more, nust check up on this)
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AFAIK yes.
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A lot of this is because drivers are losing route knowledge as well due to domination of 707's on Sheppy and Windsor lines. Quite a few drivers don't sign 707's I have now for three years.
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brad465
Established Member
I doubt they'll be fitted anytime soon, given the effort required relative to the uncertainty of the franchise future.
TT-ONR-NRN
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Agreed. After all, the 376s are still in Connex livery!
Goldfish62
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The picture that Southeastern released shortly after the transfer was announced showed that blue Southeastern livery will be applied with small 700-style yellow panel.
Presumably just vinyled all over, similar to how TPE did the 185s.
Indeed, I would imagine seat covers will get replaced as they get worn out.
The other "Pis Mod" haha.
Juniper Driver
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Goldfish62
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Considering the 376s still have threadbare Connex seat covers I think we might be waiting some time.
brad465
Established Member
Not to mention they still have the Connex base paint job on the outside as well. It wouldn't surprise me if SE don't do a full paint job on 707s unless/until a long term future of the franchise is decided.
Juniper Driver
Established Member
DorkingMain said:
the 458s being disposed of first because of the state they're in
So what state have the 458's got into then? They seem fine to me. I know some were taken out of traffic but I won't say why.
I heard yet another railway rumour that they were going to Southern but am not sure how true this is although it was a reliable source.
The motors are fine and not isolated unlike when they were first converted into 5 car units and the brakes work fine.
I've had no trouble with 458's (Even with their eccentric computer operating system) long may it continue.
the 458s being disposed of first because of the state they're in
So what state have the 458's got into then? They seem fine to me. I know some were taken out of traffic but I won't say why.
I heard yet another railway rumour that they were going to Southern but am not sure how true this is although it was a reliable source.
The motors are fine and not isolated unlike when they were first converted into 5 car units and the brakes work fine.
I've had no trouble with 458's (Even with their eccentric computer operating system) long may it continue.
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