SWR reintroduces refurbished Class 442 trains

• Four 10-car ‘Class 442’ trains now in passenger service on SWR network
• More spacious ‘2+2 seating’ in Standard Class, at-seat power for mobile devices, LED lighting and onboard Wi-Fi
• These trains run on fast journeys on the London to Portsmouth route via Guildford, Haslemere and Petersfield & London to Poole route via Winchester, Southampton Central and Bournemouth

South Western Railway customers are benefiting from the reintroduction of refurbished ‘Class 442’ trains. 

Four 10-car Class 442s have been running on the London to Portsmouth & London to Poole routes since the new year, with customers benefiting from more spacious ‘2+2 seating’ and modern facilities.

The trains have refurbished interiors including quality Axminster carpets, at-seat power for mobile devices and real-time passenger information displays. Additional benefits for First Class customers include new leather seats, and new tables.


(Interior image of the Standard Class seating on a Class 442 train)


(Class 442 driver, Gary Ranson, and Platform Assistant, Emmanuel Akai)

The environmental benefits also extend to the vehicle interiors with the installation of LED lighting. Wi-Fi is provided throughout and there are universal accessible toilets and seating facilities for disabled passengers. 

Neil Drury, Engineering Director for SWR, said:
“We’re really pleased that these refurbished trains are now in passenger service. We’ve already had positive feedback about the extra space provided with the 2+2 seating configuration and other benefits such as Wi-Fi, LED lighting and real-time passenger info systems.

“Passengers will also notice the high quality of the refurbished interiors, including Axminster carpets and reupholstered seats.

“We’re proud of the fact the works have been undertaken at Eastleigh and Bournemouth depots. This has meant investment in local facilities across the South Western network, helping to boost the economy and secures jobs for people living in the communities we serve.

“We will look to introduce all of the Class 442s in the fleet back in to service as soon as possible.”

Note to editors
This train enhancement programme is part of South Western Railway’s £1.2bn investment plan to transform the customer experience. The plan includes the introduction of new and as-new train fleets to increase capacity; longer, more frequent trains; quicker journey times and better connectivity; station improvements and a better ticket buying experience.

The traction upgrade element of the Class 442 programme will see the existing DC traction equipment replaced with state-of-the-art AC equipment incorporating IGBT technology from Dusseldorf. This will increase the reliability and efficiency of the trains. In conjunction with the new traction equipment will be a new braking system from Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems which will improve the environmental performance of the trains and lower operating costs by enabling regenerative braking.