End of the line for Heathrow Express
AS WIDELY expected, no further use has been found for the Heathrow Express Class 332 EMUs, leading to disposals commencing in November 2020. Owned outright by Heathrow Airport Holdings, they lack TPWS equipment and require major overhauls after 20 years of intensive use on the shuttle services from Paddington. First to be sent for scrap was long-stored parts donor 332014, it departing Old Oak Common by road in the last week of
November to the Sims Metals yard at Peterborough. December 8 saw 332005 and 332012 taken to Sims Metals at Newport Docks sandwiched between 66758 and 66748, with 332002 and 332003 following on December 15 with 66745 and 66739 as traction. During December, three sets were sufficient to run the reduced Heathrow Express shuttles, with the replacement Class 387s finally due to take over from December 28.