South Western Railway bids farewell to the Class 456s
of 750v DC thirdrail electric multiple unit (EMU) has been permanently retired following the withdrawal of South Western Railway’s (SWR) 24-strong fleet of Class 456 EMUS.
It had been intended that the fleet would be replaced by SWR’S brand new Class 701 Aventra EMU fleet, but the introduction of the fleet has been repeatedly delayed and they are still yet to enter passenger service with the operator.
The announcement that SWR will be retaining 12 Class 707 EMUS that are due to be transferred to Southeastern (see separate story on page 17) until later this year has allowed the operator to finally remove the Class 456 from traffic.
The last four sets in use with SWR were 456009/011/013/021, which all worked for the final time on January 15, working two diagrams in and around London Waterloo.
456013 and 456021 were coupled to 455725 to work one diagram throughout the day, while 456009 and 456011 were joined by 455871 on another diagram.
The 23.32 from Dorking to Wimbledon was the final passenger service to be worked by the EMUS, worked by 456009/011 and 455871, bringing down the curtain of their working lives. The Class 456 fleet were built by British Rail Engineering Ltd at York in 1990/91 and were used by BR’S Network Southeast business. Following privatisation the trains were operated by Connex before passing to Southern when the Go-ahead Group won the South Central contract in 2000.
The fleet was transferred to South West Trains (now SWR) in 2013 and
refurbished shortly after being taken on by SWT.
The units will now go into store, with 456003 being the first to be hauled to Long Marston – along with 455704/736 – by Rail Operations Group 37800 Cassiopeia on January 18. Due to their age, it is unlikely Porterbrook will be able to find another operator for the fleet. It will probably be put up for disposal by the leasing company.