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.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2025 ==

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

 

[dodger]

458426 on 5X95 1217 Wimbledon Depot - Bournemouth Depot today.

Dodger

 

[WarrenTManager]

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

8536 is on handback.

8530 needs axle changes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2025 ==

458426 on 5X95 1217 Wimbledon Depot - Bournemouth Depot today.

Dodger

C4 overhaul

 

[mansonlo49]

8536 is on handback.

8530 needs axle changes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2025 ==


C4 overhaul

Thank you, I see that’s why 530 isn’t show on rtt recently

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jun 2025 ==

Got a picture of 458536 back in 30th December 2024, was doing Shepperton route arriving Raynes park, headcode forgotten

 

[nctd2306]

When was the last time 458401worked? Haven't seen it in person or on RTT for quite a while and was wondering what's been keeping it out if anybody knows.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Similiarly I'm finding 458 403 very elusive - it's the only one of them that I haven't been able to photograph, and it never seems to pop up RTT.

Any idea where it is, please, anyone?

 

[dodger]

8536 is on handback.

8530 needs axle changes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2025 ==


C4 overhaul

Thank you

Dodger

 

[Siemens Staines]

Last dates in passenger service for 458401 & 458403;

458401 22.04.25 failed at Twickenham after 5R05 23.04.25
458403 18.02.25 failed at Waterloo after 2S62 18.02.25

 

[nctd2306]

Thank you, I do seem to remember that 403 used to be particularly unreliable in it's /5 days, doesn't seem to have improved since refurbishment!
Hopefully they are able to return soon to support the rest of the 458s after their recent uplift in usage

 

[NSEWonderer]

Similiarly I'm finding 458 403 very elusive - it's the only one of them that I haven't been able to photograph, and it never seems to pop up RTT.

Any idea where it is, please, anyone?

Sitting in the medical roads outside at Wimbledon Park Depot, missing a shoe and had part of its underside a little crispy id say. Clearly looked like it had been rescued due to electrical issues. No clue how long it will be out for

 

[Siemens Staines]

Thank you, I do seem to remember that 403 used to be particularly unreliable in it's /5 days, doesn't seem to have improved since refurbishment!

458403 entered passenger service as a 458/4 on 08.01.25 so it has only seen around six weeks of service so far

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thank you everyone for the answers on 458 403; looks like I'll have to wait a while to get a picture of it to clear them... for the third time...

 

[SEtrains]

Any ideas on how long 529, 533 and 535 have?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Any ideas on how long 529, 533 and 535 have?

Longer than 530 id say

 

[nctd2306]

Is there a rule now where 458/4s can't use regenerative brakes anymore? I've been on three pairs today and all of them have had seemingly none of their motors making any noise when decelerating into the station.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Is there a rule now where 458/4s can't use regenerative brakes anymore? I've been on three pairs today and all of them have had seemingly none of their motors making any noise when decelerating into the station.

There is issues with overheating on them so they're being isolated on several units.

 

[nctd2306]

I do enjoy the sound of those so hopefully it doesn't become a fleet wide issue, leading to a blanket isolation of the regens, like on the 465/9s

 

[NSEWonderer]

I do enjoy the sound of those so hopefully it doesn't become a fleet wide issue, leading to a blanket isolation of the regens, like on the 465/9s

Potentially as there is a TCB in place mentioning for crew to be aware of isolations.

 

[nctd2306]

A guard has just confirmed to me that all 458/4s will be barred "until further notice" from using dynamic braking, of course I'm sure there is a reason but it does seem odd that there never seemed to be any issues with this when these units were /0s (and therefore the same as now with a different front end)
I know that it makes absolutely no difference to most people but from an enthusiast outsider's point of view, it does feel like another example of the railway taking a backwards step (again I'll make it clear this isn't a complaint as the service isn't affected, just a shame for enthusiasts who enjoy motor sound )