Refurbished Train Stock To Be Used on Local Lines
Upgraded carriages are interim measure ahead of new fleet delivery
The interior of one of the Class 458/4. Picture: SWR
June 24, 2024
South Western Railway has started using newly refurbished trains on local lines as of this Monday (24 June).
The Class 458/4s will initially be used to operate eight-car services between London Waterloo and Weybridge via Brentford, and London Waterloo and Twickenham.
Each features 234 seats with seat back tables and charging points at two tables in each carriage as well as space for two wheelchair users and, although there will be no boost to capacity on theses lines, SWR says that the trains they are replacing will be used elsewhere in the network.
There are also two first class compartments with two tables and 12 seats, however, these have been declassified for local services and will be available to customers holding standard class tickets.
The first units to return will operate the following services, all via Brentford:
• 0531 Hounslow to London Waterloo
• 0622 London Waterloo to Weybridge
• 0802 Weybridge to London Waterloo
• 1522 London Waterloo to Weybridge
• 1703 Weybridge to London Waterloo
• 1837 London Waterloo to Twickenham
17 of SWR’s Class 458 fleet have been refurbished with a further 11 to follow and they will be used on suburban services ahead of the full introduction of its new Arterio fleet.
This new fleet consists of 90 trains, which include 60 ten-car and 30 five-car trains the introduction of which has been significantly delayed due to various issues, including the pandemic and technical faults such as problems with door obstacle detectors and the coupling process. These new trains feature modern amenities like Wi-Fi, charging points, real-time journey information, and accessible facilities.
The refurbished trains were originally intended for use on the route between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford but due to changes in passenger travel patterns following the pandemic the fleet will temporarily operate on suburban services
.
Neil Drury, South Western Railway’s Engineering and Infrastructure Director, said, “We are very pleased to introduce the first of our refurbished Class 458 units. Their interior refresh, including improved seating and newly installed tables and charging points, will make a noticeable difference to our customers’ journeys.
“The Class 458/4 fleet will play an important role as we work towards the full introduction of our fleet of 90 new Arterio trains. The first unit to enter service today will operate services between London Waterloo and Weybridge via Hounslow, with subsequent units being deployed where customers need them most.”
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