442s RETURN!!!!

[777fred]

Its been mentioned that Angel trains has made an offer to South West Trains to take the Class 442 fleet back on for an undisclosed fee and full refurbishment that will cost SWT nothing, that should bring the seating arrangements up to about 360 seat capacity with the removal of the snug and buffet area. More than the class 444's 270 seats. This could be between 16 & 20 units which would be enough for the planned 2 trains per hour to Weymouth thats due to start around the December 2007 timetable. Its thought that Angel Trains are eager for South West trains to take the units at a very cheap price and free refurb due to the storage costs of the 442's at Eastleigh are very high. If this is correct then some of the 444's would be cascaded back onto the Pompey line thus making quite a few people on that line very happy indeed. Stay tuned

*from hentisis website news page*

[73109]

Then some stock will have to go id be glad to see the 442s back providing they keep the guards window.
H/O through basingstoke is fun dodging signal gantries

[777fred]

reading from somewhere if the 20 or so 442s return the 458s are to be put into store for definate an 450s do the reading line , **This might happen if the 442s come back ! If not we have to stay with the JOPS a little longer!

[73109]

I know it would be nice to see them put into store but it may not happen as you will soon have 2 Trains Per hour to weymouth.
Keep a eye on things though you know how SWT like to have a uniformed fleet. and mainline stock is in short supply hence y we have surburban sardine tins on the mainline

[swt458]

1) They wont be allowed as far as i know as that is one of the many reasons they were taken out of service

2) South West Trains are now saying they are reluctant to bring them back particularly as their class 458 fleet training for staff is just being completed therefore they wont really be very good to get rid of these.

3) Southern and Gatwick Express want 442s and as far as i know either pretty much have them already or have counted their chicks before they hatched.

[Liam]

I've just merged two threads, fred can you please try not to repeat yourself!

[Dave]

I thought this was a topic about 37422. I'm off.........

Dave

[swt458]

recently talked over... the 442s may be introduced to GatEx and SWT... the SWT fleet will HELP on the Weymouth line WITH 444s when the service frequency increases, therefore it MIGHT not be the end of he 458s.

[swt458]

oh and thanks Liam

[73109]

Also the 2 EX Gat EX EDL's SWT had have come back