History and origins of the SW 10 car suburban operation

[norbitonflyer]

Waterloo suburban platforms were only lengthened in August 2017. 10 car operation started later that year. But then stopped shortly after Covid got going in 2020.

There was some limited 10-car operation using 456s before that - but only Platform 5 on the main line suburban side could take them until the rebuilding. (During the rebuilding itself platforms 1-10 were closed and everything moved over, (including the Windsors making temporary use of International terminal, which has since been rebuilt in a more permamnet fashion) so the suburban side was run out of platforms 11-14 which could easliy take ten-car trains to make up for the reduced service, as seen here. (A test circuit left connected to the signalling system cause things to go a little awry that morning!)

The 707s didn't start operation (apart from one token service) until after SWR took over (in the middle of the rebuilding programme at Waterloo)

 

[Snow1964]

There was some limited 10-car operation using 456s before that - but only Platform 5 on the main line suburban side could take them until the rebuilding.

<snip>

The 707s didn't start operation (apart from one token service) until after SWR took over (in the middle of the rebuilding programme at Waterloo)

There were some 10car workings of pairs of 458s on the Windsor side before August 2017 too. Although mainly concentrated on Reading services there were a few all station stoppers inwards from Staines that were formed as 10cars.

From memory there were 455+456 formations at least decade ago, but for a while 455+ 2x456 = 8 cars were common, so date when some became 10car is bit of a blur

 

[Big Jumby 74]

There was some limited 10-car operation using 456s before that - but only Platform 5 on the main line suburban side could take them until the rebuilding

This was strictly designed and limited to those Main suburban trains that were booked in to higher platforms, #5 being the lowest of, and revolved mainly around those Guildford New Line services that ran non stop between Surbiton and Waterloo (and vice versa), and a small number of (diagram) associated pre a.m. peak and post p.m. peak services. These were given 9xxx identity numbers to aid signallers and prevent the accidental diversion of any of same in to p1-4. I can list all such trains if anyone is interested.

There were some 10car workings of pairs of 458s on the Windsor side before August 2017 too. Although mainly concentrated on Reading services there were a few all station stoppers inwards from Staines that were formed as 10cars.

From memory there were 455+456 formations at least decade ago, but for a while 455+ 2x456 = 8 cars were common, so date when some became 10car is bit of a blur

In reference to that which I have said in response to norbitonflyer (above), but also the case of 10 car 458/5, both scenarios became part of the permanent plan commencing with the May 2015 timetable change, although will have operated, in part(s), as the first units became available for service, in the weeks/months* prior to that under STP (Short term plan) basis. The 485/5 being limited to six pairs at that date, working a number of Brentford loop/Weybridge diagrams and two Windsor & E diagrams, and diagram associated journeys at start and finish of the day.
At this date the 458/5 conversion was still in progress and infrastructure for 10 car operation was still also a work in progress, so there were limits as to where 10 cars could operate in service.

* The original planned timescale for 458/5 introduction was March 2014 to May 2015, but this was delayed by a number of things, not least the tin worm found in a number of 460 vehicles that formed the basis of the first units to enter service.

MODS: Please move to the main 'Historical' area if you feel that's a better place. Have left this discussion here for now, in order that other '701' theme contributors can easily see there is a separate place for non 701 10 car items.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Indeed, I recall the 1757 ex Waterloo as the only Kingston line service to be graced with 10 cars at that time. However croded the rear eight cars were, it was always nice and quiet in the front unit as most people didn't know it was there, being hidden by the curve of platform 5!

And as SWT had nearly three 455s for every 456 (71 and 24 respectively) it was inevitable that not all formations could be ten-car.

 

[43096]

Indeed, I recall the 1757 ex Waterloo as the only Kingston line service to be graced with 10 cars at that time. However croded the rear eight cars were, it was always nice and quiet in the front unit as most people didn't know it was there, being hidden by the curve of platform 5!

And as SWT had nearly three 455s for every 456 (71 and 24 respectively) it was inevitable that not all formations could be ten-car.

SWT had 91 455s (5701-42/50, 5847-74, 5901-20).

 

[Big Jumby 74]

And as SWT had nearly three 455s for every 456 (71 and 24 respectively) it was inevitable that not all formations could be ten-car.

We had 91 x 455 at the time, 86 being the traffic total for many years. This was reduced to 84 traffic when the cab AC was fitted to the cabs, one unit for mod the other to act as a tractor to take same to Bournemouth depot. This was how things stood by the time the 456's arrived. The plan was that the 458/5's would all be in traffic before the 456's came along, but with the delays to 458 conversion, both schemes overlapped, which stretched driver/crew and training school/Safety resources to near breaking point, and it is only to their credit that the plan (as issued) was able to roll out largely as planned, albeit slightly late.
But as said, during the early days of the roll out, many stabling locations were either non 10 car compliant, or work was on going on same, so couldn't be used as early as was ideally required. Walkways, hop-ups and certain route clearance issues were a delaying factor in matters 456 associated but things came together in the end.

 

[norbitonflyer]

SWT had 91 455s (5701-42/50, 5847-74, 5901-20).

Sorry, my arithmetic (or maybe I forgot the /9s) , so nearer four 455s for every 456