Ugly Duckling? - Eton Junipers

The initial reaction of the unveiling of the Class 458/5 was a negative reaction, 'possibly the worst looking train ever' one quotes. However, since the initial unveiling of the 458/5, with Desiro corridor for emergencies (and Dellner coupler), the look has taken some used to it. The first 458/5s in service are ex-Class 460 units, known only for shuttling between Gatwick Airport, London Victoria and Stewarts Lane TMD on Gatwick Express services. These trains, as well as native Class 458s will be refurbished/transformed into 458/5s, which are five coach trains, at Doncaster (Wabtec) and Loughbrough (Brush Traction). The 460s will turn to 458531-36, whilst the 458/0s will be renumbered 458501-30. These trains are running on the 'Windsor' line services towards Hounslow Loop and Windsor & Eton Riverside.

On an aforementioned Windsor service, 458531 does the 1558 ex-Waterloo service to Windsor & Eton Riverside. This journey is scheduled to be 458/5 operated. (20/03/14)


To provide a comparison, here is a 458/0 - 458023 on a Reading service just minutes later (20/03/14)


South West Trains 458534, Feltham on another 1558 ex-Waterloo service to Windsor & Eton Riverside. (16/05/14)


Interior of 'Coach A' of the train. There are less seats in order to accommodate more standing passengers.
Notably, the air conditioning works well. (16/05/14)

With the timetable changes, and a reported sighting of them in service on the Hounslow Loop already, there will be more of these in service soon, no matter how they look.

These trains also have the 'correct' outer suburban SWT livery, as the lines that they travel on are 'outer suburban' commuter routes. The 458/0s had mainline SWT livery, which was not reflecting on the route that they usually ran on (Reading-Waterloo).