Class 450 'Desiro' Profile and Models
450018 at Surbiton in March 2009. ©Hugh Llewelyn
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The British Rail Class 450 Desiro are third-rail DC electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains that entered service during 2003. Used for outer-suburban services, they were built with both first- and standard-class accommodation. They have a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). Class 450 units operate suburban, outer-suburban, and regional services from London Waterloo. They are used on all SWR lines except the West of England Main Line and the Eastleigh to Romsey Line. South Western Railway, as part of its franchise award in 2017, has carried out a refurbishment programme on its Class 450 fleet. As part of this, every unit has been deep cleaned with carpets and seat covers replaced and every two seats in standard class have had a plug socket fitted. |
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Type of Unit |
750V DC 3rd-Rail Electric Multiple Unit |
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Builder |
Siemens Transportation Systems |
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Build Dates |
2002 to 2006 |
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Total Built |
127 units |
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Coaches Per Unit |
4 |
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Power Output |
2,000hp |
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Top Speed |
100 mph |
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Operated By |
South Western Railway |
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Main Duties |
Regional Passenger |
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In Service Until |
Present |
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Surviving Examples |
All in service |
South West Trains
