Class 442's are leaving South Western Railway. Is this their last farewell?

[@robbiemorrison7085]

Only travelled a few times last year down to Guildford. These are such great trains! Maybe another third rail company will inherit them. Back in 2006 did manage to get one when it was with south West trains! Was amazing!

[@stefcarolan7844]

These units came into service during my secondary school years. These were my friends favourites whilst I preferred the Kent coast 411 with the slam doors and draughty connection ☺

[@steveoneill3217]

Definitely sad news about the 442s. I always found them a lovely unit to ride on. I know if I had the money I would love to get one into preservation and put it back into original condition as far as was possible... Just need a win on the lottery......

[@patrickangelo7041]

i guess Im quite randomly asking but do anyone know a good website to watch newly released tv shows online ?

[@rayanbraydon53]

@Patrick Angelo i would suggest FlixZone. You can find it on google :)

[@malindasnook8381]

We have so many happy memories of seeing the class 442s on the south western mainline. Even though they are just trains, I will be heartbroken to see them go 😢

[@BPMR]

They were one of my favourite emus. It’s a shame that I never got to drive one.

[@generalfilms9947]

I miss it when it used to pass through Clapham junction as Gatwick Express 😔

[@cadetkidkilla]

It’s a shame really. Being Guildford based they’ve always been my favourite units and I remember as a boy how I wasn’t tall enough to see out the window on them. I haven’t had a chance to travel on them since there SWR return despite numerous exploratory trips over the last few months, I don’t think they’ve been operating throughout the casedemic. I’ve always liked the Junipers so I’m interested to see how they’re adapted

[@neilstrains]

Really nice video thanks. I've been late to work on major delays twice due to the 442 on the Portsmouth line, but really like how they look! Subscribed!

[@railwayadventureswithleigh6040]

A driving trailer could be preserved i think and hopefully a complete unit

[@magnolian8080]

Looking forward to seeing them on the shelves of my local Tesco's as tins of beans. Or maybe even razor blades!

[@alfiehnotts]

From what I heard, they are being replaced by refurbished 458s that will have a top speed of 100mph like originally

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

I will seriously miss them.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

I hope there preserved, well good news is the 458 is staying

[@partyentertains4092]

No other TOC wants them.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@partyentertains4092 sad, poor 442s

[@maimadha]

@@TEBEnthusiast 442s were great trains

[@williamwebb6178]

I was also reading that the Class 442s that would had needed more modifications and had to be compliant and to be fully accessible by 2024 to meet Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)

[@GT-me1ke]

Such a shame, my fav unit too!

[@swrtrainspotter]

Great video

[@swrtrainspotter]

Please can you subscribe

[@1258-Eckhart]

I thought they were in the middle of receiving new ac motors and power equipment.

[@ghosthorse77]

First group gave up this franchise late last year after large losses and this before COVID 19.It has returned into Government hands but First Group are going to run it for them as a manament company, as LNWR does on the East Coast line. First Group have also given up Avanti West coast for the same reason but they sight Covid 19 for this.

[@craigymarsh941]

I'm sad to see it go

[@michaelsandham7926]

I think they should keep 442 trains because I be on one 442s long time ago to weymouth and back to Poole as well

[@IndigoJo]

I expect it's the end of the line for most of them then -- third-rail is only Southern region and Merseyside, and they're not going to want trains designed for 50-100 mile journeys on Merseyside. Is there anywhere else that could use them?

[@maimadha]

Class 442s were great EMUs and it's a disgrace they have been scrapped as they had plenty of life in them

[@AnthonyFurnival]

I loved the 442. I never managed to capture one for my channel under its own power. I got one being hauled by a 56 and two 73s (video on my channel if you are interested) - such a sad sight 🥺😢

[@BPMR]

I'll take a look. Cheers

[@harryduncan1259]

shame really only ever got a ride on one once lovely units

[@masonsmainlineroblox]

I never got to ride on these they also look nice

[@xxhatchet_harryxx2703]

They got discontinued because they had a major problem where they changed signal’s to red and caused lots of delays so they’re getting stripped for parts and the 458s are going to be the successor’s

[@waleedarif6740]

Although from the outside, they look appealing all around, it won't be too bad to get rid of them if they are causing health and safety problems. In my opinion, the only reason why they should stay another few years is because they are still underaged. They should reach the age of 40 before going away.

[@southamptontrainspotter553]

They going to be scraped probably at Eastleigh or Newport

[@harryelliott4310]

South West Trains Station 🚉 Class 442

[@maimadha]

Stop spam commenting on trainspotting videos

[@Spacebug111]

God damnit

[@TheSouthernSteam]

I’ve heard that all units will be scrapped, is it true, is it going back to Angel Trains company

[@BPMR]

They are being returned to Angel Trains, it will be their decision to scrap them I suspect

[@TheSouthernSteam]

OK thanks for the update, really sad to see the class go

[@harryduncan1259]

Hopefully they might be in storage at Eastleigh might be able to get a look next time I travel down to Dorset,

[@CPTrains]

This is sad as I don’t think I have been on one. When passenger numbers increase SWR might need new stock, I wonder how easy it is to convert the 350/2s into third rail units as that would make sense for a replacement from my view, and I don’t think it will be too hard as the 350/1s are also third rail and it would work well with the 450 and 444 maintenance wise I would presume.

[@jeffrotino5895]

With the 350/2s if I remember correctly the DC converter (if that's what you call it) are removed from them so it might be rather costly to implement them on a rolling stock that isn't being produced any longer.

[@bfapple]

No need to do that. The Class 458s will be kept.

[@CPTrains]

I am very glad that some Class 458s are being kept, but it is a shame not all of them. I believe they will be four cars and 100mph (again).

[@bfapple]

@@CPTrains If 28 units are being retained, it's almost guaranteed that they will be from the original 458/0s.

[@MrGriser]

I was told by a line manager at work that the 442's were going back over to GTR most likely to displace Gatwick Express 387's to Great Northern I hope this is true because no one else believes me.

[@partyentertains4092]

442's can't be used after 2024 because of the accessibility derogations made. For example, the narrow swing plug end doors.

[@MrGriser]

@@partyentertains4092 But it could just be to cover for the loss of 6 387's until the Gatwick works are completed in December 2023!

[@partyentertains4092]

@@MrGriser Pointless for a microfleet with Southern. Driver training and depot familiarisation would be a waste of time, especially with Covid, the new traction kit and cab desks on them imo.

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@partyentertains4092 so as usual Government throws millions of pounds away because of dogmatic regulations. That was the problem with privatization; it wasn't. The free market never had a chance, it was more regulated than ever before.

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@partyentertains4092 where does covd come into it, other than it being the all-purpose excuse for not doing or not allowing everything?

[@AnthonyFurnival]

It’s a shame - I quite like them. I think there’s a risk of shooting themselves in the foot - they’re already axing the 707, 458, 455 and 456 fleets... they risk leaving themselves under resourced even with the new units coming in.

[@doomotron6160]

They're keeping the 458s.

[@AnthonyFurnival]

@@doomotron6160 Yeah, realised after I posted! Glad they are staying but it looks like the 458/5 project may have been in vain, as if I’ve understood it right, they are converting them back to 4 coaches per set and only taking on something like 26 or 28 sets - so no idea what’ll happen to the rest.

[@doomotron6160]

@@AnthonyFurnival Removing the 460 coaches is sensible as they'll be able to run 12 coach trains and they're non-standard anyway. Out of the 36 trains, the ex-460s will likely be withdrawn and the least reliable ex-458/0s will be too. The 458/5 was a project that is now not needed, as the 701s will be more standard than them and have more capacity. And there was also SWT's 10-coach railway obsession... Ironically Portsmouth Direct is the most intercity service the Junipers have ever run, including the 460s. The ones that will be withdrawn could be kept anyway or they'll be discarded and likely scrapped. Or they could extend all of the ex-460s with the spare coaches to make 10 coach units to be used elsewhere on the third rail network, but that won't happen. It would be cool though...

[@AnthonyFurnival]

@@doomotron6160 yeah the logics there I guess - it just seems like a lot of money was spent to do something which then requires work to undo. I suppose it comes down to needs at any given time...it just seems a waste. I’ve no idea if Alstrom kept the remaining (4 I think) cab ends from the 460s but if they did - there’s a chance they can be converted and you’d have a fleet of around 10 other 4 or 5 car vehicles (including the handful of original 458s not being kept on) though I do like your idea too! - it’s a bit of a small number but there could be a somewhere that could make use of them - I think a lot will depend on the bounce back post Covid of rail travel when it comes to the future of both the 442s and remaining 458s. I hope the 442s do find a new home... controversial I know but I prefer them to the 444s!

[@doomotron6160]

@@AnthonyFurnival The 442s probably won't get another home. They're simply too problematic and from 2024 they'll be illegal anyway since the doors are too thin. The rest of the 458s will likely be stored and scrapped but they could be kept by SWR. As for the idea to turn some back into 460s, it's not worth trying. Even if the cabs still exist, they'd have to modify the trains for something that is only aesthetic.

[@still_guns]

Not surprising, sadly. SWR has been casting off perfectly serviceable units since the day they took the franchise. Ostensibly to replace them with those garish 701's

[@millercool21]

The 701s are actually nice

[@bfapple]

The 442s are very clearly not serviceable. Not economically. There’s no point throwing more millions at the 442s when Porterbrook offered the 458s at (presumably) a very good price.

[@millercool21]

Well aleast the 458s are staying can't wait to see them in the new livery

[@maimadha]

​@@bfapplethe 442s have a good life in them and should've been kept

[@bfapple]

@@maimadha SWR and Angel were throwing millions at the 442s for little result.

[@shaneD7378]

We don't want them back on Gatwick express

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

They’ll never return on Gatwick xPress. This time, the 442s will be off of service forever.

[@maimadha]

​@@DaveDVideoMakerGatwick Express should've kept the 442s

[@frostx6635]

the fastest third rail trains

[@JD-fg2dz]

Any Electrostar or Desiro could demolish the record, they just haven’t been given the chance yet

[@southamptontrainspotter553]

@@JD-fg2dz not a electrostar but a 450 /444 probably

[@JD-fg2dz]

@@southamptontrainspotter553 387s already go 110mph mate

[@southamptontrainspotter553]

@@JD-fg2dz oh i ment like 377s and 375s 3rd rail ones not overhead wire ones

[@JD-fg2dz]

@@southamptontrainspotter553 387s are third rail on Gatwick Express

[@158alfie]

They might be getting taken out of service because recently they have been plagued with technical problems and about a year ago one of the coaches of a class 442 unit was filled with smoke.

[@thetrainhornmaster9439]

Well that is another waste of money

[@VampMiku502]

Funny fact: Class 321 is too 33 year old and it is still feel good

[@millercool21]

I don't like pigs

[@BPMR]

That's a shame as the 442s were one of my favourites travelling down to Portsmouth as a kid

[@jackbarrowclough1739]

Bi mode time

[@williamhuang8309]

oh no... are they going to bodge them with diesel like the 319/769?

[@jackbarrowclough1739]

Hopefully not because the 769's acceleration is appalling

[@williamhuang8309]

@@jackbarrowclough1739 hey at least they had the opportunity to make it not suck but they screwed it up anyways. At least match the (really bad) DC acceleration!