Sunday 4 August 2019

Class 442 stock movements, Eastleigh, 2nd August 2019


I have to admit that I have lost track of the Class 442 5-WES refurbish programme, as progress appears to have been slower than once envisaged, and there are reports of extensive corrosion repairs having been required. Also the traction re-package appears to be later than originally planned, these units all seem to still retain their 4-REP heritage resistor banks.

"The current plan is to refurbish all 18 units by spring 2019, before sets are then withdrawn for fitting of the new traction equipment, three at a time, in the second half of the year, with the whole project completed by December 2019."

There is a useful table at Wikipedia, showing something of refurbishment status, and those which are not expected to run again.

442423 (leading) + 442409 5Q92 10:13 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D - Eastleigh Arlington (Zg). Note the revised lighting.

442409 on the rear, the train proceeded to between Allbrook and Shawford to run across from Up Slow to Down Slow before proceeding into the works.

442409 was left in the works and 442404 was removed within 5Q93 14:20 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) - Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D.

Again the lead unit was 442423, with new seats fitted in DTS(A) 77404.