SWR Class 455 saloon door controls

[Towers]

With apologies for a rather niche post, can any of our SWR/SWT staff members confirm whether the Guards door control panels in the saloons have ever been used in regular service? It's something I've often wondered, I've only ever seen Guards working them from the cabs. I assume these were installed during the SWT refurb?

 

[Snow1964]

As a passenger, have seen some guards use them occasionally off-peak (when station staff are not on platform) normally when a ramp has been needed (or other delay at a door) and it is quicker than walking back to the back cab to get train restarted. I think they were only ever used to close doors

Only on one occasion have I seen them used to open and close doors, it was when an alighting passenger had presumably reported something to a guard, and they had come down to check it out and train had arrived at next station whilst they were there.

So the answer is very rarely used, not regularly

 

[Domh245]

On a few of my recent(ish) trips on SWR 455s, guards have been proactively walking the train and operating the doors (entirely) from the saloon

 

[Towers]

On a few of my recent(ish) trips on SWR 455s, guards have been proactively walking the train and operating the doors (entirely) from the saloon

That's always good to hear!

 

[swr444]

I use the saloon GOP's as much as I can. it all depends on the time of day and route served, as some stations with severe curves, the CCTV lines up perfectly with the 5th coach cab to assist with dispatch

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I regularly see the guards releasing from these on the Epsom services.

 

[boiledbeans2]

On a few of my recent(ish) trips on SWR 455s, guards have been proactively walking the train and operating the doors (entirely) from the saloon

I concur. Post-covid, I'm seeing guards walking the train and using the door panels. Some may be checking tickets as well, some may not (I guess it depends if they are commercial guards).

Normally you'll only see them walking the train and using the door panels outside the Oyster area, i.e. when there are tickets to check or when the trains are not as busy (such that they can actually walk through).