The Class 442's, The South West Trains Years
This section takes on the account of the Wessex Electrics during from the South West Trains period of operation, From around 1996 to February 3rd 2007.
During 1998-99 South West Trains sent the Wessex Electrics to Crewe for a buffet car refurbishment program which began in January 1998 consisting of making the Guards van in the MBRSM smaller thus allowing 16 more seats in that coach. The units were also re painted into South West Trains Express Livery. On January 4th 2006 2401 was hauled away to Bombardier at Ilford for a C6 overhaul. Nothing much really, Just a deep clean of the upholstery inside and repair of any damaged seats as well as a revised repaint in South West Trains colours where the drivers vestibule doors are now yellow instead of red and the coach end doors are red to comply with DDOA regulations. Also noted on unit 2413 there is no South West Trains viynl's. Also noted are nameplate's disappearing from the named units. Whether these are being taken off unofficially by souvenir hunters or officially by SWT management is unclear. One thing that I would like to see is more of the 444's named, hopefully some named after the original Reps and the Class 442's. With 44 444's to choose from Southwest Trains Should be able to come up with some decent names.... hmmm How about "www.Hentis-Rail.co.uk" for instance. Thats got to be better than the name "The Fab 444".
As reported by this website February 3rd 2007 was the last day of operation for the 442's, The only 442's that were in service was 2405, 2410 & 2412 (see the Piggin Finale section on the second page of this years Poole Gallery for more details). The class 444's are replacing the Wessex Electrics on the Waterloo - Weymouth runs. Some of the Wessex Electrics are already going off lease and some diagrams are going over already to Class 444 operation. Southwest Trains are standardizing their fleet, this is why the 442s' are being phased out. What is the future for the 442's? These units are 21 years of age in 2007 (what a way to celebrate 21 years!!!) Hopefully I will be able to post about them during 2007 in the Futures section of the 442 mini site.
Two months after coming back from Ilford 2401 Beaulieu is seen at Sterte approaching Poole with an early Weymouth - Waterloo service on April 3rd 2006. This unit was stored at Eastleigh on January 22nd 2007.
Baiter Park is the early stage for Parkstone Bank for this 12th April 06 shot of still unrefurbished 2402 County of Hampshire. 2402 eventually went away for repaint in November 2006. This unit was stored at Eastleigh on February 16th 2007.
The DTSO end of refurbished 2403 The New Forest at Poole on September 22nd 2006. This unit was stored at Eastleigh January 17th 2007.
2404 Borough of Woking & 2424 Gerry Newson at Poole on March 6th 2005. 2404 went into storage at Eastleigh January 15th 2007.
2405 City of Portsmouth is dragged into the carriage sidings at Poole by 47811, in First Great Western colours but with Freightliner Branding, on May 4 2006 after returning from its C6 at Ilford. 2405 was one of the last 3 Class 442's to be taken out of service lasting until February 3rd 2007 and was sent to Eastleigh for storage on February 15th 2007.
Eastleigh this time around for an original SWT livery 2406 Victory on 31st March 2006. 2406 went for storage at Eastleigh January 15th 2007.
2407 Thomas Hardy showing off his sleek front end and curves at Poole on July 05th 2004. This went into storage at Eastleigh January 22nd 2007.
At platform 4 at Bournemouth 2408 County of Dorset passes an unidentified Intercity liveried Class 47. 2408 entered storage at Eastleigh January 17th 2007.
2408 County of Dorset leaves Hamworthy with a Weymouth - Waterloo service on August 23rd 2005.
2409 Bournemouth Orchestras weaves its way out of the carriage sidings onto the up and into Poole for a Poole to Waterloo service.2409 went to Eastleigh for storage on January 29th 2007.
2409 Bournemouth Orchestras + 2410 Meridian Tonight coupled together at Poole on May 8th 2006.
2410 Meridian Tonight sits at Poole after arriving with a service from Waterloo on 02nd October 2004. This was one of the final 3 class 442's to operate up to February 3rd. This was stored at Eastleigh on February 15th 2007.
2411 The Railway Children is seen starting the 1:50 climb to Parkstone as it passes underneath the High Street footbridge on August 30th 2004. This was entered storage at Eastleigh on January 29th 2007.
2412 Special Olympics at Bournemouth waiting to leave for Waterloo.
A night shot of 2412 Special Olympics at Poole on February 3rd 2007. This was the final class 442 passenger run.
Along with 2405 & 2410 these were the last 3 units to work up until February 3rd 2007. 2412 entered storage at Eastleigh on February 12th 2007
All Pictures unless otherwise stated on this web site have been photographed and are Copyright of Anthony Henley
and may not be used without prior permission from me.
© 2002 - 2007