The Class 458 4-JOP (Juniper Outer-suburban Porterbrook) was built for South West Trains in the late 1990s to replace some Class 411s. Although they were designed for the 750v DC third rail network they were "future proofed" with provision to support a pantograph and overhead electric collection, though have not carried one yet [1].
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| South Western Railway 458 506 at Reading |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 120 (30 4-car sets) (rebuilds) 180 (36 5-car sets) |
| Built: | 1999-02 (rebuilds) 2013-6 |
| Builder: | Althom (Washwood Heath) (rebuilds) Wabtec (Doncaster) & Brush Traction (Loughborough) |
| Motor: | 6 Althom ONIX 800 traction motors (750v DC third-rail) |
| Power: | 2, 172 hp (1, 620 kW) |
| Formation: | (original) Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)+ Pantograph Standard Open (PSO)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+ DMCO (rebuilds) Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+ PSO+MSO+TSO+DMSO |
Their entry into service as 458/0 was unfortunately fraught with technical difficulties with serious usage on the London Waterloo to Reading and Guildford-Ascot routes not happening for several years and after many modifications [2]. The unreliability of the trains saw SWT plump for the "Desiro" Class 444/450s instead of more 458s to order to replace the majority of its "slam door" EMU fleet [3].
In 2011 after the withdrawal of the similar Class 460 from the Gatwick Express it was decided to use cars from the 460 to strengthen the 458s as five car trains (5-JOP). The trains were also refurbished and rebuilt with an improved appearance including full gangways. Five "new" 458/5s (as they became known) were also created from spare rebuilt 460 cars. Work was completed in 2016 [5]. They are now operated by South Western Railway.
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| 458 509 arrives at Winnersh Triangle |
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| In SWT days, 458 534 and friend at Clapham Junction |
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| 458 520 arrives at Addlestone |
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| 458 535 at Clapham Junction |
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| 458 515 at Clapham Junction |
[1] "Class 458" Southern Electric Group <http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class458_01.html>
[2] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013), p. 356
[3] "Train firm to replace new fleet", BBC News <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3388679.stm>
[4] "Fire damaged 458 under repair", Railways Illustrated Issue 157 (March 2016)
[5] "458/5 programme nears completion", Today's Railways UK Issue 171 (March 2016)