Southern Class 455s bow out

AS EXPECTED, Southern withdrew its entire fleet of Class 455 EMUS from traffic upon the implementation of the summer timetable in mid-may. The demise of 455801-846 from South London suburban services after 40 years of operation is the train company’s solution to the Department for Transport’s demand for cost savings across all parts of the industry.

Their withdrawal has been facilitated by the axing of Southern’s services between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes, along with recasting and short-forming on other routes, allowing enough Class 377s to be redeployed to replace them.

The disposal of sets for scrap began prior to the final day of operation, with the previously stood down 455838 and 455839 the first to be sent on their final journey, 47727 hauling them away from Stewarts Lane on May 4, bound for Sims at Newport Docks. Thereafter, 66701 took 455810 and 455825 on the same journey on May 10, with the Class 66 back in South Wales two days later with 455827 and 455831.

A final day railtour on May 14 was organised by Southern in conjunction with the Branch Line Society, the well-patronised ‘The Metro Marauder’ raising thousands for charity thanks to onboard raffles. This took 455835 and 455841 on a tour of the Southern network and beyond, with a final visit to Brighton. Rare appearances at Charing Cross, Blackfriars and Sevenoaks were among the highlights.

Indicating the scale of the gap to be filled, a further 21 Class 455s were in normal traffic on the last day, in the form of 455802/804/805/807/808/811/813815/ 819/821/822/829/830/833/834 /836/840/842/843/845.

Final workings for the class included 455804 and 455818 forming the 2B54 23.40 Victoria-sutton via Norbury and a solo 455843 making up the 2U76 00.25 Victoria-norwood Junction. The dispersal of the class to storage locations across the Southern network began the next day, this including the transfer of 455830/33/34/43 to Hove Yard to join the already resident 455809/16. Meanwhile, 455817 and 455820 were among the sets exiled at Horsham, with the whole fleet expected to go for scrap as quickly as possible. South Western Railway still operates its fleet of Class 455s, although these are on borrowed time and are expected to be withdrawn once the Class 701s are finally introduced into traffic.

John Vaughan ABOVE: Southern commemorated the withdrawal of its Class 455 fleet on May 14 with a special railtour operated in conjunction with the Branch Line Society. ‘The Metro Marauder’› travelled from London Victoria to Brighton and back via a circuitous route using two of the doomed Class 455s – 455835 and 455841. The pair are seen departing Hove, having reversed at the station, heading for Brighton.

John Vaughan LEFT: With the impressive South Downs and chalk cliffs in the background ‘The Metro Marauder’› passes the redundant signalbox on the approach to Lewes station, with 455835 leading, on May 14. At this point, the tour was making its way back to London, again using routes that the units rarely worked over. As well as carrying a headboard declaring ‘39 years’ and a Network Southeast logo, a notice in the centre cab window on each unit had the wording ‘73A Stewarts Lane Tech Office The Class 455 Farewell Tour English Electric Camshaft Heritage Excellence.’