SOUTH Western Railway has introduced the first of its refurbished Class 458 trains today, Monday 24 June.
Units 458415, 458420 and 458422 will initially be used to operate eight-car services between London Waterloo and Weybridge via Brentford, and London Waterloo and Twickenham.
17 of SWR’s Class 458 fleet have been refurbished with a further 11 to follow. Each four-car unit has 234 seats in two-by-two formation, all with seat back tables and charging points, as well as space for two wheelchair users. Each carriage also has two tables fitted with wireless charging points.
There are also two first class compartments with two tables and 12 seats, however, these have been declassified for suburban services and will be available to customers holding standard class tickets.
The units’ refreshed interiors, along with their updated SWR livery, mean they now closely resemble SWR’s 444 and 450 Desiro fleets.
The refurbished trains were originally intended for use on the route between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford.
However, following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent changes in customer travel patterns, the fleet will temporarily operate services on SWR’s suburban network, as SWR works towards the full introduction of its fleet of 90 new Arterio trains.
Neil Drury, South Western Railway’s Engineering and Infrastructure Director, said:
“We are very pleased to introduce the first of our refurbished Class 458 units. Their interior refresh, including improved seating and newly installed tables and charging points, will make a noticeable difference to our customers’ journeys.
“The Class 458/4 fleet will play an important role as we work towards the full introduction of our fleet of 90 new Arterio trains. The first unit to enter service today will operate services between London Waterloo and Weybridge via Hounslow, with subsequent units being deployed where customers need them most.”
