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| British Rail Class 450Desiro | |
|---|---|
 ASouth Western Railway Class 450 atBarnes in 2023 | |
 Refurbished standard-class saloon | |
| In service | 5 October 2003 – present |
| Manufacturer | Siemens Transportation Systems |
| Built at | |
| Family name | Desiro |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2002–2006[2] |
| Refurbished | 2017–2020[3] |
| Number built | 127[4] |
| Formation | 4 cars per unit: DMOC-TOSL-TOSLW-DMOC[5] |
| Fleet numbers | 450001–450127 |
| Capacity | |
| Owners | Angel Trains[4] |
| Operators | South Western Railway |
| Depots | Northam[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Train length | 81.60 m (267 ft 9 in)[7] |
| Car length | 20.34 m (66 ft 9 in)[4] |
| Width | 2.796 m (9 ft 2.1 in)[7] |
| Floor height | 1.157 m (3 ft 9.6 in)[7] |
| Wheel diameter | 850–786 mm (33.46–30.94 in)(new–worn)[7] |
| Wheelbase | Bogies:2.600 m (8 ft 6.4 in)[8] |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (160 km/h)[2] |
| Weight |
|
| Traction system | Siemens SIBASIGBT[7] |
| Traction motors | 8 × Siemens 1TB2016-0GB02 asynchronousthree-phase AC[4] |
| Power output | 1,500 kW (2,000 hp)(at wheel)[7] |
| Tractive effort | Starting: 200 kN (45,000 lbf)[6] |
| Acceleration | approx. 1 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2)[7] |
| Electric system(s) | 750 V DC third rail |
| Current collection | Contact shoe |
| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′[7] |
| Bogies | Siemens SGP SF5000[7] |
| Minimum turning radius | 120 m (393 ft 8 in)[8] |
| Braking system(s) | Electro-pneumatic (disc)andregenerative |
| Safety system(s) | |
| Coupling system | Dellner 12[9] |
| Multiple working | Within class,and withClass 444[5] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge |
TheBritish Rail Class 450Desiro (4-DES) is a type ofthird-railDCelectric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train that entered service during 2003. Used for outer-suburban services, the units were built with both first- and standard-class accommodation. They have a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).
TheDesiro UK family also includes units of Classes185,350,360,380 and444.
Along with the Class 444Desiro, the Class 450 units are operated bySouth Western Railway.
In April 2001, 785 vehicles were ordered bySouth West Trains in order to complete the replacement of itsslam-door rolling stock, in accordance with its franchise commitment to do so by 2005, as the slam-door trains, many of which were more than 40 years old, did not meet modern health and safety requirements.
The first Class 450 units began arriving into the UK from Germany in December 2002, units 450007 and 450008, being hauled fromCalais-Fréthun to Bournemouth viaDollands Moor and Wembley.[10]
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 450Desiro began serving most intended routes, although introduction was delayed until June 2005 in some areas. The units are leased byAngel Trains to South Western Railway.[4]
Sixty-eight new vehicles were ordered by South West Trains as a replacement to the growth order which was diverted to form the similarClass 350 range of electric multiple units.
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Class 450 units operate suburban, outer-suburban, and regional services fromLondon Waterloo. They are used on all SWR lines except the non-electrifiedWest of England Main Line andEastleigh to Romsey Line.
On occasion Class 450 units are also used on thePortsmouth Direct Line for services between Waterloo andPortsmouth Harbour, in place of the intendedClass 444. The difference in comfort – particularly the higher-density 2+3 seating arrangement used on the Class 450 fleet – has prompted complaints from some passengers affected by the substitution.[11]
Both the Class 444 and 450 fleets are maintained at the purpose-builtNortham Traincare Facility inSouthampton, which is equipped to perform both preventative and corrective maintenance, deep-cleaning, and overhauls on up to eight units simultaneously.[12]
In March 2012, the Class 450 fleet, along with the Class 458 and 444 fleets, was fitted with regenerative braking.[13]
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. TheStrategic 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-voltageClass 350 forSilverlink andCentral Trains.
Subsequently, SWT received further 17 four-car sets, bringing the total number of Class 450 units up to 127.[2] These trains were delivered in 2006, not long after the last of the first order was delivered.
In January 2008, 28 Class 450/0 sets were modified and re-numbered in theClass 450/5 series, for use on services betweenWaterloo andWindsor, theHounslow Loop Line, as well as between Waterloo andWeybridge. 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 theBournemouth Traincare Depot.[14]
In anticipation of theClass 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 retained their 4505xx number as the standard seating configuration remained different but as they completed their SWR interior refurbishment during late 2019 they were returned to their original numbers.
Between 2017 and 2020First MTR South Western Trains, carried out a refurbishment programme on its Class 450 fleet. As part of this, every unit was deep cleaned with carpets and seat covers replaced and every two seats in standard class have had a plug socket fitted. The 24 first class seats carried in the centre of one of the intermediate trailers[15] were replaced with standard-class rows, while new first-class areas of eight seats each were installed immediately adjacent to each driver's cab. These areas feature leather seats and tables with wireless charging facilities. As part of this work, subclass /5 high-capacity units were similarly refurbished, and returned to their original numbers, meaning that all Class 450s once again share a common layout.[16]
On 6 November 2017, unit 450025 was derailed nearWimbledon.[17] Four people were injured; over 300 passengers were evacuated from the train.[18] The accident was caused by track spread (an increase in the distance between rails), and occurred on a 120-metre (131 yd) stretch of line that had not been inspected or maintained for many years because of a misunderstanding betweenNetwork Rail andLondon Underground as to which company was responsible for its upkeep.[19]
On 4 March 2024, unit 450092 was derailed betweenWoking andSurbiton stations when it struck an obstruction on the line whilst travelling at a speed of 90 mph (140 km/h). No-one was injured and the train was safely evacuated.[20][21]
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| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars per unit | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 450 | South Western Railway | 127 | 2002–2006 | 4 | 450001–450127 |
Some units have been named:
