SWR Class 458 to be retained

[wokspotter]

After Virginia Water to Waterloo the Reading train effectivly becomes a suburban train. Ideally the 458/4s should have kept the handrails when overcrowded with several passengers standing, so eventually will be 701s. (With the refurbished 458/4s deep cleaned and going to the Portsmouth main line?)

Isn't it about time that the Reading trains ran fast between Staines and Waterloo like they used to years ago?

 

[MasterPhillips]

The 458/5 s should never have been reformed until the 701s were in service. They were perfect for the Reading line and any other train including the 701s are a downgrade. However I understand the need to have a single fleet for the suburban side.

 

[Goldfish62]

The 458/5 s should never have been reformed until the 701s were in service. They were perfect for the Reading line and any other train including the 701s are a downgrade. However I understand the need to have a single fleet for the suburban side.

If we knew a couple of years ago what we know now, ie it appears that the 458/4s have no long term use then reforming need never have taken place at all.

 

[swt_passenger]

If we knew a couple of years ago what we know now, ie it appears that the 458/4s have no long term use then reforming need never have taken place at all.

You mean nationalisation isn’t going to automatically reinstate the abandoned 2018/19 timetable plans?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Unless you've carried out a survey of Reading line users you seem to be drawing your own conclusions with little foundation.

I don’t need to carry out a survey to observe remarks made by forumers on here. Perhaps I should say Reading line forumers rather than users.

If we knew a couple of years ago what we know now, ie it appears that the 458/4s have no long term use then reforming need never have taken place at all.

Yes, to be honest.

 

[MasterPhillips]

If we knew a couple of years ago what we know now, ie it appears that the 458/4s have no long term use then reforming need never have taken place at all.

But it was clear at the time that the 701s were not going to be delivered on time, if I remember correctly. The reforming contract could have been delayed.

 

[Goldfish62]

I don’t need to carry out a survey to observe remarks made by forumers on here. Perhaps I should say Reading line forumers rather than users.

If you don't get why we're a bit peeved with the influx of 455s while 450s move to the mainline inner suburban then we'll just have to leave this particular debate here.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Isn't it about time that the Reading trains ran fast between Staines and Waterloo like they used to years ago?

As someone from Feltham, definitely not. Also Feltham provides a link to Heathrow

 

[Flange Squeal]

It is justified, you'd be in the same position if short formed 455s started operating on the Alton line

From memory, 455s are only cleared for ECS (empty coaching stock) working as far as Farnham, and not at all beyond there to Alton. So, arguably, they’d be in a worse position, being turfed off half way along the journey!

 

[Mark J]

Have all the class 458 had new seats installed?

Obviously for the 'GB Railways' era.

Have to say quite impressed with the comfier seats and extra leg room!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Have all the class 458 had new seats installed?

Obviously for the 'GB Railways' era.

Have to say quite impressed with the comfier seats and extra leg room!

It wasn’t actually for the GB Railways era, but actually as part of a plan to run them on fast services to Portsmouth Harbour instead of Desiros. That has since been postponed indefinitely, so they’re running to Weybridge, Windsor and Reading as they’ve always done but just in a much nicer state now. Oh, and minus the 460 carriage, as they were reduced from 5 to 4 cars as part of plans to run them in trios when on the Portsmouths.

 

[mansonlo49]

Hi is there any info on 458530? Known 536 is stopped, thanks