BRITISH RAIL CLASS 450

The 'British Rail Class 450' third rail DC EMU began service during 2004. They are a part of the Siemens Desiro modular train family. In standing with requirements of all new rolling stock for the South East region, provision has been made for future conversion to 25 kV AC overhead supply or dual voltage, although at present no trains have been fitted with a pantograph. Used for outer suburban services, the Class 450 is fitted with Standard and First accommodation. The unit has a maximum speed of 100 mph.

Contents

Introduction

Formation

Operations

The Class 450/2 & more orders

External links

Introduction

In April 2001 785 vehicles were ordered by South West Trains in order to complete the replacement of its slam door rolling stock. Introduction to service was delayed by the required power supply upgrades capable of powering the new trains. In the December 2004 timetable change the Class 450 began serving most intended routes, although introduction is expected to be delayed until June 2005 in some areas. The units are leased by Angel Trains to South West Trains.
68 new vehicles were ordered by South West Trains as a replacement to the growth order which was diverted to form the Class 350 range of electric multiple units.
The PID announcements are made by a male automated electronic voice, the same voice that makes the platform announcements and on the Class 444s. Recently though all of the South West Trains' Desiro units are being "upgraded" with a new female voice - that of Celia Drummond of Northern Line fame, the majority of 444 & 450 units now carry her voice, as opposed to the original voice of Phil Sayer, who will remain on the platforms.

Formation

The entire Class 450 series consists of four car multiple units, semi permanently formed as DMSO(A)+TCOL+TOSLWB+DMSO(B). Units are numbered in the range 450001-110.

★ 63201-63300 and 63751-63760 - DMSO(A)

★ 64201-64300 and 66851-66860 - TCOL

★ 68101-68200 and 66801-66810 - TOSLWB

★ 63601-63700 and 63701-63710 - DMSO(B)

Operations

The 450s mainly operate outer suburban services from London Waterloo, as well as local services outside of the London area. These include:

★ Waterloo to Alton

★ Waterloo to Basingstoke

★ Waterloo to Reading

★ Waterloo to Southampton Central (a duty shared between 444/450 units)

★ Waterloo to Weybridge (via Hounslow)

★ Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside

★ Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour via Basingstoke

★ Waterloo to Wareham (early morning only)

★ Basingstoke to Brighton (via Fareham)

★ Ascot to Guildford

★ Portsmouth to Southampton

★ Wareham to Brockenhurst
They can also be found on inner-suburban services, usually operated by Class 455 units, particularly in the peaks and on Sundays during periods of engineering work.
Somewhat controversially 450's are now being used on the Portsmouth Direct Line for Waterloo to Portsmouth services in place of class 444 units. The decision to use 450's has been a cause for complaint from passengers specifically because of the 3+2 seating arrangement [1] [2].

The Class 450/2 & more orders

Originally, SWT’s order with Siemens was for 100 four-car sets (the current 450/0) and for 32 five-car sets which would be for inner-suburban use. The SRA, however, did not agree to the terms required, such as the lengthening of platforms and changes to railway infrastructure. As a result the 32 five-car sets were cancelled and an extra 10 four-car sets were added to the order. The SRA took the opportunity to order 30 four-car sets of the dual-voltage Class 350.
More recently, SWT have placed an order for a further 17 four-car sets to enable replacement of the Class 458 "Juniper" units currently used on Reading–Waterloo services. This brings the total number of Class 450 units up to 127. These units are scheduled for delivery in 2006, not long after the last of the first order is delivered. 450101 was damaged in Belgium and returned to Wildenrath to have repairs conducted by Siemens, therefore delaying its entry in to the UK. 450101 arrived in the country on May 242006 and was briefly in service on June 52006. The train started working full time on June 72006.

External links

★ Siemens Transportation

★ Southern E-Group

★ Technical Data File