Is South Western Railway about to retire the Class 456? This could be your last chance to catch one?

11th January 2022
Is South Western Railway about to retire the Class 456? This could be your last chance to catch one?
Filmed on a Panasonic HD100 720p and an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
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Music is from the KZbin Audio Library
Cold Blue - Astron
Land of my Fathers - The 126ers

[@blueskiesabove3950]

The class formed the last passenger service on the former Wimbledon-West Croydon line in 1997

[@BPMR]

A line I know well having spent a few years driving trams along that route.

[@FromClaphamJunction]

Thanks for a fantastic video. Wonderful shots and great information I was lamenting the withdrawal of the Class 455s and made a couple of videos about them to "catch'm whille I can" and then happened to make a video on a Class 377 and during the edit I was struck by how smooth and quiet they are in comparison to the Class 455. However much I and others may love the Class 455s and 456s for all the nostalgia I think that the daily commuters will prehaps be pleased to have newer rollingstock - that is, as you say, if SWR doesn't fall short on bringing in replacements. I am new to your channel and am subscribing today.

[@BPMR]

Thank you and welcome to the channel. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@MidsBuses]

i do hope that the 456s get preserved

[@BPMR]

No news yet, but there's still time, they haven't been scrapped yet. The big question is that will a heritage railway with space to store one come forward?

[@moocow4654]

All were scrapped i believe.

[@MrGriser]

This better not be true I want to be able to film a last ever ride and it won't be possible this weekend.

[@BPMR]

Unfortunately I was true. I hope that you managed a ride in the end?

[@MrGriser]

@@BPMR No I didn't and a passenger fainted on a short formed service at Clapham Junction on Wednesday we need the 456's back but no one believes me!

[@CPTrains]

I’m going to go on them this weekend I hope, sad to see them gone after Sunday. Want to go on 707s before they go as well to do a full Desiro City review. I reckon it is true due to SWR official twitter saying that 456s will be going after Sunday, as they were meant to go off lease in February anyway. The remaining 12 707s will be staying at SWR until at least August.

[@harveyjames9600]

Have a link mate of them saying that?

[@BPMR]

SWR have confirmed that the remaining 707s are staying till August so you still have time.

[@bobsyson4610]

Yep, as of Saturday, all gone.

[@BPMR]

Its a shame that they have now gone.

[@NSE465]

So long! Make way for new modern stock. Cant wait for them. Lets hope we see new units soon 😃

[@seaside-dn8dp]

A lot of modern stock is uncomfortable as hell. Those new class 701s have those nasty iron board seats. At least the 456s had somewhat nice seats

[@BPMR]

I've always preferred a mixed bag of traction so its a shame to see them go from an enthusiasts point of view. I don't think the commuters would agree.

[@BPMR]

They surly cant be any worse than the seats on the 700s at Thameslink?

[@theodorbean2604]

Not the greatest loss. Was a shame about the 442s tho. Id rather they got rid of the hastely build 455s

[@harveyjames9600]

Nah the 455s are pretty good

[@BPMR]

The 455s are slowly going too, as long as the 701s actually come into service. The 442s were one of my favourite units and was sad to see them go. Difference with the 442s going was that they were already out of service due to reduced covid timetable when SWR announced it. This meant that no one had an opportunity for one last ride.

[@stephenholmes3182]

Hope they go into warm storage.not a lot of time to ride on one b4 withdrawal.

[@BPMR]

They're heading for Long Marston but no news on their fate yet.

[@AnthonyFurnival]

I hope not - the network is turning into Aventra, Desiro and 80x only - I like diversity!

[@BPMR]

Unfortunately its easier for the TOCs to maintain a large fleet of one type of unit then maintain several small fleets.

[@AnthonyFurnival]

@@BPMR indeed - it’s a real shame though - It’s also quite sad that there’s no real variety TOC to TOC - that’s why for me it was a breath of fresh air seeing Greater Anglia get the Flirts rather than siding with an 80x as a replacement for their 90s!

[@BPMR]

@@AnthonyFurnival I must get over to see Anglia's flirts. I've not been on one yet. But your right, as time goes on there's less and less variety on the network.

[@AnthonyFurnival]

@@BPMR I’ve not seen it ridden on the 755, but the 745s are very nice indeed - definitely the best new generation train I’ve been on so far. I’d definitely recommend them!

[@michaeldupree5801]

I must admit as a commuter I am a bit frustrated that most of the trains on this reduced timetable are only 8 cars causing quite a bit of overcrowding. I do not see why they had to get rid of these units right now. I could tolerate the reduced timetable with 10 car trains a little more easily. I am not a happy commuter at the moment and would like my fares reduced to match the timetable and shorter trains. Where are these new trains - SWR seem to be very quiet about it at the moment.

[@BPMR]

It’s not an ideal situation. Cost savings are probably SWRs motivation. I was on the trains today and they appeared to be a lot more busier now then even a week ago. The new trains are being delivered slowly but god knows when we’ll see them enter service.

[@michaeldupree5801]

@@BPMR Well it has cheered me up knowing that they are at least being delivered. If you hear anything no matter how small would you mind posting a small update video?

[@srrk2508]

mabye these can be converted into BEMU's to run on smaller branch line.

[@fredmills368]

definitley should be kept for smaller services, they are younger than the 455s so have more life hopefully

[@BPMR]

Funny you should say that, if the proposal to reopen the Grain branch in Kent for passenger use goes ahead, then South Eastern may need to look at some Battery Powered units. The proposals have already ruled out electrifying the line so BEMUs may be needed.

[@millercool21]

I never went on one lol its just like a mini 455

[@BPMR]

They were designed to be compatible with the class 455's but there were differences.

[@abdullahrashid4290]

@@BPMR can you tell me the main difference between them

[@GenericLifts]

Basically a cross between a 321, a 455 and a 466

[@harryelliott4310]

South Western Railway Class 456

[@seaside-dn8dp]

What a waste. Introducing this new timetable is a bit idiotic considering the cases are falling.

[@BPMR]

I think the timetable was in response to the numbers of staff that are still isolating. Saves having to cancel trains at the last minute although its still not good.