Drsatan
Established Member
At 1115 on 14 July I noticed a GatEx 442 (didn't catch the TOPS number, sorry) parked in the carriage sidings at Hove. Is it common for 442s to be stabled there?
Yes, there is normally lots of them there. On the weekends 10 are there. I think southern really over estimated there need for so many trains for GatEx...
Which is why they're also used on Brighton expresses as well I guess. The one that doesn't stop at Gatwick!
Yes, there is normally lots of them there. On the weekends 10 are there. I think southern really over estimated there need for so many trains for GatEx...
I still dont see why they got/are getting rid of the 460s? (460001 is still in service as i saw it at Vic on saturday) They are so much better than what we have instead...
I know they are being used else where but why them? couldnt SWT just use the 442s as separate trains instead of lenthening?
You said to cover for unavailible 442s? Yet i saw at least 4 442s on saturday at hove but 460001 was at Victoria.
SWT handed them back because of the leasing costs back in 2007, so I doubt they would be so keen to take them back so soon. They are only really suitable for mainline work, not the suburban routes the rebuilt 458s are required for (services to Windsor and Weybridge). Another thing worth mentioning despite the platform lengthening that has take place on the Windsor line, 444/442s will not fit as they are 23 metres per coach, where 450/458s at 20 metres per coach will.