In a significant development for South Western Railway (SWR), the last two Class 455 trains were retired from service on March 20, 2026. This retirement coincides with ongoing disruptions affecting passengers due to fallen trees blocking railway lines.
The retired trains, Class 455s 5712 and 5732, have been laid up and are set to be sent for scrap. This marks the end of an era for the Class 455 fleet, which has been a staple of the SWR network.
Meanwhile, the disruption began at 2:44 PM on March 25, when a fallen tree obstructed the lines between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth. An additional obstruction on the line between Vauxhall and Queenstown Road Battersea further complicated the situation, leading to significant delays.
Passengers faced hold-ups of up to 90 minutes, with the lines only reopening at 11:20 PM. SWR has advised that passengers experiencing delays of 15 minutes or more may claim compensation for their journeys.
In response to the disruptions, SWR allowed passengers to book their own taxis and claim refunds, demonstrating a commitment to customer service during these challenging circumstances.
As the situation unfolded, an SWR spokesperson expressed, “We are very sorry for any disruption to your journey,” while confirming that response teams were dispatched to address the fallen trees.
Prior to the retirement of the Class 455s, the final Class 701/0 train left Long Marston on March 5, with all 60 ten-car Class 701/0s now in service with SWR, except for one unit, 701003.
The retirement of the Class 455s and the current service disruptions highlight the ongoing changes within the South Western Railway network, as it adapts to modern demands and challenges.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of these disruptions on the overall service schedule, but the situation is being closely monitored by SWR officials.