photograph by Simon Jeffs

With all 27 Class 387/2 units now in service, albeit not all with Gatwick Express, and with Class 700 units hesitantly entering service, withdrawal and storage of Class 442 units has commenced. The situation of 22nd July 2016 is reported to be:

442401 - stored at Streatham Hill since 7th May
442404 - stored at Tilgate Sidings Three Bridges since 24th May
442409 - stored at Streatham Hill since 7th May
442415 - stored initially at Tilgate Sidings Three Bridges, moved to Eastleigh on 5th July
442418 - stored initially at Eastbourne 20th May, moved to Eastleigh on 5th July
442422 - stored at Eastleigh since 8th April
442423 - stored initially at Tilgate Sidings Three Bridges, moved to Eastleigh on 7th July
442424 - stored at Eastbourne since 20th May

We make that eight, a third of the fleet, stored. There have been reports on the internet of ten stored but we cannot account for two more. Class 442 units are expected to remain in service, albeit in a diminishing role, for some months yet as the cascade hinging on introduction of Class 700 units is well behind schedule. We understand the 442s to be kept mid-term by Southern for Eastbourne - London Bridge peak workings will be 442402, 442406, 442408, 442410, 442413 (the SEG's favourite unit) and 442419. 

(above) 442415 and 442418 stored at Eastbourne on 24th May 2016.