Class 458 5-JOP

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].

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.

458 509 arrives at Winnersh Triangle

In SWT days, 458 534 and friend at Clapham Junction

458 520 arrives at Addlestone

458 535 at Clapham Junction

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)

Class 159 Express Sprinter

The Class 159 is a sister class to the Class 158, indeed the twenty-two original sets were built as Class 158s but were converted at Babcock Rail for London Waterloo services to replace locomotive hauled trains to Exeter [1].

SWR 159 012 at Woking

The conversion took place before their entry into traffic and the modifications included adding first class compartments and retention toilets. Eight more were converted from Class 158s in 2006-7 forming the 159/1 (the original sets are 159/0).

Information
Number built:	30 3-car sets
Built:	1989-93, 2006-7 (159/1)
Builder:	BREL Derby / Babcock Rail (159/0) BREL Derby / Wabtec Doncaster (159/1)
Motor:	Cummins NTA855R diesel per car
Power:	1, 200 hp (900 kW) - 159/0 1, 050 hp (780 kW) - 159/1
Formation:	Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL)+Motor Standard Lavatory (MSL)+Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)

They were originally operated by British Rail Network South East, later South West Trains. They are now all operated by South Western Railway. They mostly operate on services from London Waterloo to Salisbury and Exeter as well as Bristol. In the past they have also worked services to the likes of Penzance, Southampton and Reading.


One of the SWT fleet of Class 159s, 159 007, was chosen to take part in a Network Rail bio-fuel test in 2008 [2]. It ran for several months on a mixture of diesel, soya bean and oil seed rape oil. The fuel mixture did not affect performance or cause any damage to the engines of the unit though was found to be more expensive than conventional fuel.

SWT 159 108 at Clapham Junction

SWT 159 005 at Clapham Junction

Cab end of 159 010 at London Waterloo

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 146
[2] John Balmforth, South West Trains (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 57