Class 442 Feature - Individual Unit History (2421-2424)

2421 was delivered to Bournemouth on 25th October 1988. Its MBLS 62957 was exchanged with 62949 (ex 2413) during August 1990. This unit reverted to its intended formation during late October 1990. 2421 went to Crewe on 27th June 1998 for MBLS modifications, being released on 31st July 1998. The unit refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 14th March 2000.

Its last working was the 19.12 Winchester to Poole service on 2nd December 2006 prior going to Ilford two days later for its C6 overhaul. It emerged on 21st December with an interim white livery and was put into store, initially at Bournemouth where on 28th December it swapped its motor bogies with 2416. It was then put into store at Eastleigh Works under the care of Knights Rail Services on 26th January 2007.

If units are stored with the prospect of being reactivated, it is necessary to move them periodically to keep them in running order. Accordingly, on 21st August, 2421 did a round trip between Eastleigh Works and Basingstoke with 2406 and again 31st October with the same unit. It's last trip of the year was with 2407 to Basingstoke on 5th December. The unit went out again, this time with 2408 on 30th January 2008, and again with 2408 a week later on 7th February. On 17th April, this unit, with 2424, was moved by 66585 from Eastleigh to Wolverton for refurbishment, being unit number 3 in the programme. It was released from Wolverton on 17th November and was used on a driver training trip to Eastbourne on 12th December. It re-entered passenger service, with 2424, on 15th December on peak Brighton-Gatwick Airport-Victoria services.

2421 in two interim liveries! (top) The unit in Network SouthEast livery with Stagecoach SWT branding through Clapham Junction during June 1997 - photograph by John Lewis

C6 overhauls at Ilford continued after SWT announced that they were not renewing the lease on the fleet. Accordingly this unit was turned out in white with a touch of red and grey livery and was never used by SWT again. (above) 2421 is pictured stored at Bournemouth depot - photograph by Michael Pugh

2422 was delivered to Bournemouth on 19th November 1988. Its MBLS was 62958 named ‘Operation Overlord' at Fareham on 27th May 1994. The unit was sent to Crewe on 18th July 1998 for MBLS modifications and was released on 4th September 1998. 2422 was refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 1st June 2000.

This unit was failed at Waterloo on 11th January 2007 with a fault on its cab door. Its last working was the next day with the 17.05 Waterloo to Weymouth service. It was put into store at Eastleigh on 19th January.

As far as can be established this unit has not moved since, except perhaps within the confines of Eastleigh Works. Because 2422 did not receive a C4 nor a C6 overhaul before going off lease, this unit was not a candidate for going on lease to Southern with their original order of 17 units.

(above) Another warm April? 2422 calling at Eastleigh during the afternoon on 17th April 2002 with its nose doors half open. Also note hatch covers are off - photograph by Colin Duff

2423 was delivered to Bournemouth on 22nd December 1988. This unit was fitted with an experimental converter fault light in its cab during 1994. 2423 was named ‘County of Surrey’ on its MBLS at Guildford on 15th July 1992. 2423 was sent to Crewe on 12th September 1998 for MBLS modifications, being released on 25th September 1998. The unit was refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 5th April 2000.

It was noted split at Bournemouth on 1st January 2007 but it was joined back and remained in service for another week, its last working being the 23.31 Weymouth to Poole service on 7th January. 2423 was moved into store at Eastleigh on 18th April 2007.

Because 2423 did not receive a C4 nor a C6 overhaul before going off lease, this unit was not a candidate for going on lease to Southern with their original order of 17 units. Yet on 29th January 2009, this unit was reported out on the main line on a trial run between Eastleigh and Basingstoke with 2416. On 18th February, 2423 was hauled to Wolverton by 67028, where it received an C4 overhaul with the intent - along with 2418 - of making up the number of units in service whilst 2405 and 2413 are refurbished. 2423 was hauled to Stewarts Lane by 66069 on 26th March where it was re-commissioned in its un-refurbished state. It underwent test trips with 442411 overnight 6th into 7th April and overnight 8th into 9th April with 442417, with which it returned to service on 9th April working the 07:30 Brighton to Victoria. It is now thought that 2423 will remain in service, receiving refurbishment in the near future.

(above) A classic South Western Division suburban photographic location - from the long footbridge at Wimbledon West Junction, where on 6th September 2006 2423 is pictured passing on a down working - photograph by Colin Duff

2424 was delivered to Bournemouth on 11th February 1989, the only Wessex unit to be delivered in 1989. It went to Crewe for MBLS modifications on 8th January 1999 and was released on 23rd January 1999. 2424 was named ‘Gerry Newson’ on its MBLS at Bournemouth Depot on 14th November 2000. This unit was refurbished at Eastleigh during January 2001.

Its last working was the 17.35 Waterloo to Bournemouth service on 18th January 2007. It was then hauled to Ilford for its C6 overhaul - the last whilst under SWT lease - on 22nd January.

This unit was selected to go to Southern for appraisal in connection with use of the class for Southern's forthcoming Victoria - Brighton Gatwick Express services. It was delivered in interim white livery (seen above with 2421) from Ilford direct to Stewarts Lane on 8th February 2007, five days after the SWT lease had ended.

On 31st August, 2424 emerged from Stewarts Lane for a round trip to Three Bridges with 73136 on its rear for insurance. It made the same trip 2 weeks later on 13th February, this time with 73204 as insurance. On 20th September an intended move to Lovers Walk was cancelled, however on 15th November it finally moved to Lovers Walk with 73136 and 73204 on the rear. Then on 12th February 2008, top and tailed by GBRf 73209 and 73205, it was moved to Eastleigh, but left over an hour late. On 17th April, this unit, with 2421, was moved by 66585 from Eastleigh to Wolverton for refurbishment, being unit number 4 in the programme. It was released from Wolverton on 1st December when it was delivered to Selhurst. It had a trip down to Lovers Walk on the 4th December. and was used on a driver training trip to Eastbourne on 12th December. It re-entered passenger service, with 2421, on 15th December on peak Brighton-Gatwick Airport-Victoria services. This unit was reported running solo in the morning peak of 16th February, the intended "rule" of Class 442s only running in pairs already long since breached! On 19th March, this unit, with 442410, made a test run to Eastbourne specifically to test passenger elements of operation prior to the introduction of the Eastbourne - London Bridge peak workings. This unit worked with un-refurbished 2405 on 2nd and 3rd April and on 3rd May was recorded on a test run with 73202 between Lovers Walk and Victoria.

(top) Top of the class 2424 has just passed Weymouth Junction and approaching the platforms at Weymouth on a scorchingly hot 5th August 2005 - photograph by Colin Duff

(above) This unit was the fourth to be refurbished for Gatwick Express and is seen here on its new stamping ground near Redhill on 21st January 2009 - photograph by Ian Buck