British Rail Class 458
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| British Rail Class 458 "Juniper" | |
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 Class 458 unit 458030, at London Waterloo on 19th July 2003. This unit is painted in South West Trains mainline livery. |
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| In service | 1999 - Current |
| Manufacturer | Alstom |
| Family name | Juniper |
| Number built | 30 Trainset (8001-8030) |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Operator | South West Trains |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| Weight | 164.3t |
| Braking system | Air, regenerative |
The South West Trains Class 458 (or 4Jop) electrical multiple units were built by Alstom at Washwood Heath from 1998-2000. These units are part of Alstom's "Juniper" family of units, which also includes Classes 334 and 460.
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[edit] Description
Thirty of these 4-car units were ordered by South West Trains in 1998, to create extra capacity and to replace some of the aging 4Cep units, which at the time were on short-term lease. Deliveries of these units commenced in 1998. Units were delivered in SWT's mainline livery of mainly white, with a blue band, and red/orange 'swish' at cab ends.
The class suffered from major technical problems, so none of the older units were withdrawn from service. It was six more years, in 2004, before the full fleet was in service. In 2003/04, reliability was so dire, that despite being only six years old, it was planned to replace these units by 2005 with new Class 450 "Desiro" units. Since then reliability has improved sufficiently to allow them to be retained. As of the 11th December 2005 timetable change, the trains were significantly lowered in diagrams and were only found on 3 diagrams on weekdays out of London Waterloo. In September 2005; two units (458001 and 458002) were transferred to Gatwick Express. The units recommenced service in 2007, on outer suburban lines, complementing the Desiro fleet. The two trains previously allocated to Gatwick Express have now been transferred back to South West Trains. 30 units were built, numbered 458001-030. Each unit was formed from two outer driving motors, an intermediate trailer, and an intermediate motor. The trailer has the capacity to be fitted with a pantograph, thus allowing the units to be rebuilt in the future for overhead power collection at 25kV AC, should the need arise. The technical description of the formation is DMCO+PTSO+MSO+DMCO. Individual vehicles are numbered as follows:
- 67601-67630 - DMCO
- 74001-74030 - PTSO
- 74101-74130 - MSO
- 67701-67730 - DMCO
[edit] Operations
When first built, the units were used on the half-hourly London Waterloo to Alton trains.
But this was later changed to the half-hourly London Waterloo to Reading services.
The trains now operate the services predominantly between Reading and London Waterloo, sometimes Ascot to Guildford (during peak hours), and occasionally Weybridge to London Waterloo via Hounslow services with class 450 Desiro trains.
[edit] Refresh Refurbishment
Bournemouth Train Care Depot is currently 'refreshing' these units. The 'refresh' will include adding CCTV, new seats and tables in first class, an internal repaint and Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) compliant lavatory and door lights, however, some units already have RVAR compliant lavatory and door lights.
A 'refresh' is used when a train is only having part of a refurbishment. When the refurbishment is classed as a refresh, there are a lot less regulations.
Currently, units 458006, 458010 & 458030 are at Bournemouth Train Care Depot undergoing the 'refresh' [1]
[edit] References
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