SWR returns refurbished Class 458s to service

South Western Railway put the first of its refurbished Class 458 Coradia Juniper trains into passenger service on Monday June 24 on suburban routes.

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.

There are also two first class compartments, but these have been declassified for suburban services and will be available to all customers.

All the refurbishment work was carried out by Alstom at its train modernisation plant in Widnes and its UK Centre of Excellence for Bogie and Traction Motor Overhaul in Crewe.

An overhaul of the units’ powered wheelsets has enabled the trains to operate at a top speed of 100mph, up from 75mph.

The newly designated Class 458/4 EMUs will initially be used to operate eight-car services between London Waterloo and Weybridge via Brentford, and London Waterloo and Twickenham.

The original intention was to use them on the route between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford, but following the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent changes in customer travel patterns, they will now be used temporarily on SWR’s suburban network, while the operator works towards the full introduction of new Arterio trains.

The Arterio fleet was ordered in 2017 from Bombardier (now Alstom), but delivery and service entry have been hit by numerous delays.