Last updated: Tuesday 11 November 2025

Celebrating our Class 455 fleet of trains as they head to retirement

We’re bidding farewell to our Class 455 fleet, as the last of our red trains are finally withdrawn after 42 years of service.

Built by British Rail Engineering Limited at their workshop in York between 1982 and 1985, they entered service on what is now SWR’s suburban network on Monday 28 March 1983. They have gone on to travel many millions of miles, transporting customers from the likes of Guildford, Twickenham and Windsor to and from London Waterloo.

In recognition of their role in the lives of millions of customers, their popularity with rail enthusiasts, and to mark the end of an era on the British railway network, SWR and the Branch Line Society will run a special charter service.

The ‘Class 455 Farewell’ tour will include some familiar places on the suburban network, such as Epsom and Kingston, along with a few special routes and locations, such as the District Line’s branch between East Putney and Wimbledon, plus Haslemere on the Portsmouth Direct Line*.

Update: Tickets are now SOLD OUT!

All 400 tickets have now SOLD OUT. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, raising money for The Alex Wardle Foundation, Macmillan, and The Railway Children.

*The final route is subject to change and will be confirmed shortly before the date of the tour. More information will be available on the Branch Line Society’s website.