Fleet Focus - Class 456s
Hello all, Liam here, with a Fleet Focus post on the Class 456 EMUs.
The Class 456 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) were constructed by BREL York between 1990 and 1991. 24 x 2 car units were built to replace the Class 416 2EPB units. The units operated stopping suburban services on the South London Network. When delivered to Network South East (NSE), the units were painted in the default NSE white, red and blue livery.
In total, there are still 24 units currently running with South West Trains, numbered 456001 - 456024. South West Trains took over all 24 units from Southern in 2013, and slowly refurbished them to the Red Metro livery, as seen in the picture below.
Numbered 456001 - 456024, the Class 456s are operated in 2 car sets (DMSO + DTSO), often coupling up to make 4 car sets. When Britain's railways were privatised, the Class 456s were cascaded to Connex South Central, and were used on services in South London. In 2004, Go-Ahead took over the South Central franchise, branding the TOC as Southern. In 2006, the Class 456s were refurbished and repainted into the Green and White Southern paint, as seen below.
The Southern paint features a teal like colour at the ends of each unit, and a white paint on the inner part of each unit.
The Class 456 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) were constructed by BREL York between 1990 and 1991. 24 x 2 car units were built to replace the Class 416 2EPB units. The units operated stopping suburban services on the South London Network. When delivered to Network South East (NSE), the units were painted in the default NSE white, red and blue livery.
In total, there are still 24 units currently running with South West Trains, numbered 456001 - 456024. South West Trains took over all 24 units from Southern in 2013, and slowly refurbished them to the Red Metro livery, as seen in the picture below.
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| ©Liam Jenkins - Class 456s currently operate with South West Trains (SWT) |
Numbered 456001 - 456024, the Class 456s are operated in 2 car sets (DMSO + DTSO), often coupling up to make 4 car sets. When Britain's railways were privatised, the Class 456s were cascaded to Connex South Central, and were used on services in South London. In 2004, Go-Ahead took over the South Central franchise, branding the TOC as Southern. In 2006, the Class 456s were refurbished and repainted into the Green and White Southern paint, as seen below.
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| ©Andy Crawley |
The Southern paint features a teal like colour at the ends of each unit, and a white paint on the inner part of each unit.
The doors were painted in a dark green colour, as well as the window surroundings.
Appearing rather dismal, the Southern interior of the Class 456 features dark green seats, with a pattern down the middle, yellow poles, and inner saloon lighting all the way through the carriage.
As mentioned earlier, South West Trains took over the Class 456s from Southern in 2013, and began operating them on the Ascot to Guildford line until refurbishment began. This was part of a multi-million pound deal to improve Suburban Capacity on the South West London Network. New Class 458/5s were also bought as part of this deal. Southern replaced the Class 456s on their Suburban network with Class 377/6s and 377/7s. Below is a picture of an unrefurbished Class 456 running on the Ascot to Guildford line.
In 2014, the first refurbished Class 456 under South West Trains was revealed. Features include new 2x2 seats, as opposed to Southern's 3x3 seating, new (LED) Passenger Information Systems, a whole new repaint into the South West Trains Metro livery, and an interior refresh. These units operate with Class 455s on London Suburban routes, and as 4 car sets on the Ascot to Guildford Line.
Thank you for reading today's Fleet Focus on the iconic Class 456 EMUs, we hope you have learnt something interesting about these brilliant units.
Tomorrow, look out for Harry posting a Station Focus on London Liverpool Street!
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| ©Liam Jenkins - Southern Class 456 interior |
Appearing rather dismal, the Southern interior of the Class 456 features dark green seats, with a pattern down the middle, yellow poles, and inner saloon lighting all the way through the carriage.
As mentioned earlier, South West Trains took over the Class 456s from Southern in 2013, and began operating them on the Ascot to Guildford line until refurbishment began. This was part of a multi-million pound deal to improve Suburban Capacity on the South West London Network. New Class 458/5s were also bought as part of this deal. Southern replaced the Class 456s on their Suburban network with Class 377/6s and 377/7s. Below is a picture of an unrefurbished Class 456 running on the Ascot to Guildford line.
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| ©Andy Crawley - Unrefurbished SWT Class 456 operating a local service on the Ascot to Guildford line at Wanborough. |
In 2014, the first refurbished Class 456 under South West Trains was revealed. Features include new 2x2 seats, as opposed to Southern's 3x3 seating, new (LED) Passenger Information Systems, a whole new repaint into the South West Trains Metro livery, and an interior refresh. These units operate with Class 455s on London Suburban routes, and as 4 car sets on the Ascot to Guildford Line.
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| ©Liam Jenkins - Refurbished Class 456s operate London Suburban services. |
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| ©Liam Jenkins - Refurbished Class 456s also operate services on the Ascot - Guildford line. |
Thank you for reading today's Fleet Focus on the iconic Class 456 EMUs, we hope you have learnt something interesting about these brilliant units.
Tomorrow, look out for Harry posting a Station Focus on London Liverpool Street!
