British Rail Class 450

The British Rail Class 450 Desiro are third-rail DC electric multiple-unit (EMU) passenger trains that began service during 2003. Used for outer-suburban services, they were built with standard and first-class accommodation. They have a maximum speed of 100 mph (161 km/h).

Not to be confused with NIR Class 450.

British Rail Class 450 Desiro
South Western Railway Class 450 unit 450111 at Basingstoke in May 2018
The standard-class interior of a refurbished Class 450 unit
In service5 October 2003 – present
ManufacturerSiemens Transportation Systems
Built atKrefeld, Germany
Family nameDesiro
Replaced
Constructed2002–2006 [1]
Number built127
Formation
  • 4 cars per unit:
  • DMOC-TOSL-TOSLW-DMOC[2]
Fleet numbers450001–450127
Capacity
  • As refurbished: 285 seats
  • (16 first class, 269 standard)
Operator(s)South Western Railway
Depot(s)Northam (Southampton)
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length20.34 m (66 ft 9 in)[3]
Width2.80 m (9 ft 2 in)[3]
Doors
  • Double-leaf sliding plug
  • (2 per side per car)
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)[1]
WeightTotal: 176 tonnes (173 long tons; 194 short tons)[1]
Traction motors
Power output2,000 kW (2,680 hp)
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
BogiesSiemens SGP SF5000
Braking system(s)Air, regenerative
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner
Multiple workingWithin class, and with Class 444[2]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Desiro UK family also includes units of Classes 185, 350, 360, 380 and 444. These trains are the most numerous in South Western Railway's fleet.

In August 2017, the units transferred to South Western Railway, owned by FirstGroup and MTR Corporation.

Introduction
South West Trains Siemens Class 450/0 Desiro EMUs No. 450075 and 450109 at Clapham Junction stabling sidings.

In April 2001, 785 vehicles were ordered by South West Trains in order to complete the replacement of its slam-door rolling stock, in accordance with its franchise commitment to do so by 2005, as the slam-door trains were coming to the end of their useful lives, and did not meet modern health and safety requirements. Introduction to service was delayed by the required power supply upgrades capable of powering the new trains, which feature air conditioning, a feature not present in the slam-door trains they replaced. In the December 2004 timetable change, the Class 450 Desiro began serving most intended routes, although introduction was delayed until June 2005 in some areas. The units are leased by Angel Trains to South West Trains.

Sixty-eight new vehicles were ordered by South West Trains as a replacement to the growth order which was diverted to form the similar Class 350 range of electric multiple units.

Operations
South West Trains Class 450 No. 450112 at London Waterloo
The original interior of Standard Class accommodation aboard a South West Trains Class 450
The original interior of the First Class section aboard an SWT Class 450

Class 450 Desiro trains operate on certain London commuter rail routes, as well as outer suburban and regional services from London Waterloo, and local services outside the London area. They are used on all SWR lines except the West of England line and the Eastleigh to Romsey Line.

They can also be found on London commuter rail services usually operated by Class 455 units (to Woking, Guildford, Dorking, Chessington South, Hampton Court, Shepperton and the Kingston Loop Line), particularly in peak periods and on Sundays during periods of engineering work. These trains used to be seen in service between Wareham and Brockenhurst rail stations but now there is one train per hour to London Waterloo from Weymouth, and one train per hour to London Waterloo from Poole, which are both operated by SWR 444 units and an hourly slow train service from Winchester to Bournemouth.

Class 450 trains are used on the Portsmouth Direct Line for London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour services in place of Class 444 Desiro units on some services. The decision to use the Class 450 has been a cause for complaint from passengers, specifically because of the 3+2 seating arrangement.[4]

Class 450/2 and more orders

Originally, SWT's order with Siemens was for 100 four-car sets (the current 450/0) and 32 five-car sets, intended as Class 450/2 for inner-suburban use. The Strategic Rail Authority, however, did not agree to the terms required, such as the lengthening of platforms and changes to railway infrastructure. As a result, the 32 five-car sets were cancelled and the 160 vehicles redistributed; an extra 10 four-car sets were added to the SWT order, while the remaining 120 vehicles were then ordered as 30 four-car sets of the dual-voltage Class 350 for Silverlink and Central Trains.

Subsequently, SWT received further 17 four-car sets, bringing the total number of Class 450 units up to 127. These trains were delivered in 2006, not long after the last of the first order was delivered. 450101 was damaged in Belgium and returned to Wildenrath to have repairs conducted by Siemens, delaying its entry into the UK.

Class 450/5 modifications

In January 2008, 28 Class 450/0 sets were modified and re-numbered in the Class 450/5 series, for use on services between Waterloo and Windsor, the Hounslow Loop Line, as well as between Waterloo and Weybridge. They had their first-class seating removed and replaced with 2+3 formation standard-class seating, and some other seats were removed to provide more standing capacity; extra handrails were also provided. The numbers modified are 450043 to 450070, which have become 450543 to 450570 respectively and displayed the letters HC (denoting 'High Capacity') above the unit number on the front of the sets. The modifications were carried out at the Bournemouth Traincare Depot.[5]

In anticipation of the Class 458/5 modifications for use on the Windsor Lines, the 450/5 sub class had the First Class reinstated, and they are now used generally across the SWR routes. These trains retain their 4505xx number as the standard seating configuration remains different. As they complete their latest interior refurbishment, during late 2019, they are being returned to their original numbers.

Refresh (2018–2019)

South Western Railway, as part of its franchise agreement, has carried out a refurbishment programme on its Class 450 fleet. As part of this, every unit has been deep cleaned with carpets and seat covers replaced and every two seats in Standard Class have had a plug socket fitted. First Class has been reduced to eight seats per set end (16 seats per set), and features new leather seats and tables with wireless charging facilities. As part of this work, Class 450/5s have also been similarly refurbished, and renumbered to their original numbers, so all Class 450s will once again share a common layout.[6]

The interior of the refurbished First Class cabin, showing the leather seats.

Accidents and incidents
  • On 6 November 2017, unit 450 025 was derailed near Wimbledon.[7] Four people were injured; over 300 passengers were evacuated from the train.[8] The accident was caused by track spread. Neither Network Rail nor London Underground had inspected the track for many years, due to a misunderstanding as to who was responsible for maintaining a 120-metre (130 yd) stretch of line.[9]

Fleet details
Class Operator No. Year Built Carriages Unit nos.
450 South Western Railway 127 2002–06 4 450001–450127

Diagrams
South West Trains Class 450
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References
  1. "Reference Brochure Trains" (PDF). mobility.siemens.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  2. "Our Trains - Class 450 "Desiro"". South Western Railway. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  3. "Class 450 - Angel Trains". angeltrains.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. "Commuter protest over rail seats". BBC News. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  5. "High capacity Class 450 Desiro sets enter traffic". TheRailwayCentre.com. 24 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "SWR Refurbishment". South Western Railway. 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  7. "South West Railways train derails near Wimbledon". BBC News. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  8. "Hundreds evacuated and four people injured after train derails near to Wimbledon". Independent Television News. 6 November 2017.
  9. "Derailment of a passenger train near Wimbledon, south-west London, 6 November 2017" (PDF). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
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