I used to use the 455s in 2013/14 when I was visiting family in Surrey. I found them to be very comfortable, well designed and had this great touch to them. That’s actually how I got interested in trains, which is also why the 450s/455s are my favorite type of trains.
Hey! Just some words here from a class 455 guard- These trains, despite being one of my least favourite to travel on, are a dream to work and operate and honestly I think a part of me will be quite saddened when they go. It’s worth noting they’ve since painted 455868 in a BR-like paint scheme and with its new bogeys it looks practically new. As for the 701s, they still don’t have an agreed method of working as of yet and as such are running on an extremely limited basis. Its sad to see the franchise stagnate over rolling stock as the company has definitely seen better times of stock availability with many of our trains being split up and short formed to cover for what was once a longer service in favour of not cancelling.
Thank you!!! Having been on the 701s I must say they are very good! Seems as though SWR has become a lot worse than SWT was though - my pretty successful 'Failed Franchises' series has had lots of reccomendaitons to do SWR!
You have to go on it at peak time when it's standing room only; the service is late by 45 minutes and it's pouring with rain for that authentic London commute experience.
They're no longer suitable for services in London in my view. They've still got some years of life left because they've got that new traction equipment, but they would be better off running on local services in South Hampshire.
Would make sense! But there's enough 701s and 450s to cover so sadly they'll probably go to scrap (hopefully they preserve one!). Hope you enjoyed the video and a subscription would be appreciated :)
The sooner they are scrapped the better. They are not suitable for outer suburban journeys of 45 minutes to an hour. The way things are going SWR will have lost their franchise before these are crushed.
