Changes to Southern fleet

South Western Railway is replacing a significant portion of its fleet, including its entire Class 455/456 fleet, and I wonder why there are no plans to do the same for Southern’s ‘455’ stock. So, I came up with a plan of my own.

The fleet of ‘458s’ being displaced by SWR could be converted into different subclasses. The first of these sub-classes would be five sets, reformed into 12-car formations, and would work along the Brighton Main Line, replacing various ‘377s’ which in turn would displace Class 455s.

The next would be two sets of ten cars each. These will have diesel alternators underneath the trailer cars and will replace the Class 171 main line services to Uckfield, etc, while four five-car sets and ten three-car sets will replace other duties, using the diesel engines as well.

The last sub-class will not be diesel-fitted as they will be intended to replace the Class 313s on Southern’s Coastway routes, thus being reformed into 20 three-car sets.

All would be refurbished with better seats and new a front end without gangway. The 12-car sets and the diesel sets will be given First Class seating (two cars for the 12-car, one car for the ten-car, and half a car for the other bi-modes).

As is already planned, 30 Class 707s will go to Southeastern, and some speculate they will replace the ‘376s’. If that is the case, they should transfer to Southern to operate metro services, replacing ‘455s’.

Dominic Rogers, Bishopbriggs