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South West Trains

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Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustryRail transport
PredecessorBritish Rail (South Western division)
Founded1996-02-04
FounderStagecoach Group
Defunct2017-08-20
FateFranchise awarded to South Western Railway
SuccessorSouth Western Railway
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
Area served
South West London, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Isle of Wight
Key people
Christian Roth (engineering director, 2015)
ProductsCommuter and regional rail services
OwnerStagecoach Group
ParentStagecoach Group

Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited, operating under the brand name South West Trains (SWT), was a British train operating company owned by the Stagecoach that held the South Western franchise from February 1996 until August 2017.

SWT primarily provided commuter rail services departing from its central London hub at London Waterloo, covering areas in South West London. It was the main service provider for suburban and regional lines throughout Surrey, Hampshire, and Dorset. Additionally, through its subsidiary Island Line, it offered services to Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight. Unlike many other franchises, SWT operated without government subsidies, maintaining profitability due to a substantial volume of daily commuters.

The extent of SWT’s network roughly mirrored the former South Western division of Network SouthEast and the historic territory of the pre-1923 London & South Western Railway, excluding areas west of Exeter. After the privatisation of British Rail, Stagecoach secured ownership of SWT. The franchise was successfully retained by Stagecoach in 2004 after a competitive bidding process. In 2007, it merged with the Island Line franchise, forming an expanded South Western franchise, which Stagecoach again won. The franchise was eventually awarded to South Western Railway in 2017, which took over operations on 20 August that year.


Origins

Following British Rail’s privatisation in the mid-1990s, the railway system was divided into various franchises, including the South Western franchise. In 1995, this franchise was granted to the Scottish transport operator Stagecoach by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising. Operations commenced on 4 February 1996 with South West Trains’ first service running from Twickenham to London Waterloo, marking the first scheduled privatised train journey in nearly five decades.

In April 2001, after reviewing bids from competitors such as FirstGroup / NedRailways and Sea Containers, the Strategic Rail Authority renewed Stagecoach’s franchise. Although originally awarded a 20-year contract, this was later shortened to three years starting on 1 February 2004. Shortly thereafter, SWT placed what was then Britain’s largest order for new train carriages.

During its early years, SWT encountered criticism due to significant service reductions blamed on shortages of train drivers. The company responded by hiring additional drivers. Considerable investment was made to modernise its operations by replacing outdated British Rail rolling stock and refurbishing most stations to improve accessibility and passenger comfort. Key enhancements included new rail services and reopening stations such as Chandler's Ford station in Hampshire.

Changes

Starting in May 2004, a ban on smoking was enforced across all SWT services following a fire incident caused by a cigarette near an under-seat heater the previous year. This measure addressed safety concerns and anticipated the nationwide public smoking ban introduced two years later. Extra personnel were assigned onboard trains to ensure compliance with this policy, which gained widespread approval among passengers.

On 12 December 2004, SWT implemented a comprehensive timetable revision—the first since 1967—to better match service provision with passenger demand and capabilities of newer rolling stock. Within twelve months, this adjustment led to a 12% increase in both reliability and punctuality. Later timetable changes included reinstating services between Yeovil and Yeovil Pen Mill that had previously been cut during the era of the Beeching cuts.

In December 2005, the Department for Transport (DfT) shortlisted Arriva, FirstGroup, MTR/Sea Containers, National Express, and Stagecoach as bidders for a new South Western franchise that combined South West Trains with Island Line Trains; National Express subsequently withdrew. In September 2006, Stagecoach secured a ten-year contract commencing February 2007.

Throughout its tenure, passenger numbers steadily increased each year, with some periods experiencing rapid growth. Unlike many other franchises reliant on subsidies, SWT remained profitable owing to its strong commuter base. Nevertheless, peak-time overcrowding persisted as a significant issue, prompting management to prioritise capacity expansion.

Key capacity improvements involved upgrades at London Waterloo station alongside procurement of new rolling stock. Christian Roth, SWT’s engineering director in 2015, asserted that these enhancements rivalled those achieved by the Thameslink programme but were delivered at significantly lower cost and within shorter timeframes. While other operators adopted trains operated solely by drivers without guards, SWT maintained guard presence on all services to sustain positive union relations.

SWT also investigated introducing double-decker trains for busy commuter routes; however, no existing models fulfilled their operational requirements without costly custom development. Additional complications included longer station dwell times impacting schedules and necessary infrastructure alterations such as track lowering to provide sufficient clearance.

Between 2012 and 2015, Stagecoach collaborated with infrastructure owner Network Rail in a joint management arrangement for London Waterloo station through a unified control team overseeing both track and train operations. Though initially regarded as innovative, this partnership concluded in 2015 amid reported disputes over local decision-making authority versus Network Rail’s centralized control model.

Demise

In March 2013, the Secretary of State for Transport revealed discussions with Stagecoach regarding a possible franchise extension through April 2019. By October 2014, the Government's Rail Franchise Schedule indicated that a renewal was probable. Nonetheless, in July 2015, Stagecoach announced that negotiations had broken down and that the franchise would be put out to tender once more. Industry experts considered this development surprising, with speculation arising that the government aimed to secure a greater portion of the profits.

In February 2016, both Stagecoach and a joint venture between FirstGroup and MTR Corporation were shortlisted as bidders for the upcoming franchise. On 27 March 2017, South Western Railway was awarded the franchise despite concerns about a potential monopoly over services connecting London with the West of England, Dorset, and Somerset, given that FirstGroup already operated the Greater Western franchise in those areas.

Services

South West Trains predominantly served western Surrey, Hampshire, and Dorset, extending its operations into Berkshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Devon. Within Greater London, it operated all National Rail services—excluding London Overground—in Kingston upon Thames, Richmond-upon-Thames, and Hounslow, while also providing service to Merton, Wandsworth, and Lambeth.

The majority of its routes utilized electrified tracks powered by a 750 V DC third-rail system. Diesel trains were deployed on non-electrified lines such as the West of England route to Salisbury, Exeter, and Bristol beyond Worting Junction near Basingstoke, as well as on the Salisbury to Southampton line via Romsey serving Eastleigh. By 2015, SWT managed over 200 stations and ran approximately 1,600 train services daily.

Operating from its London terminus at Waterloo, SWT provided long-distance connections to key southern English coastal destinations including Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, and Weymouth, alongside services to Reading, Exeter, and Bristol. However, major fast services to these cities were delivered from London Paddington by Great Western Railway. The bulk of SWT’s passengers consisted of suburban commuters traveling within inner and southwest London, Surrey, east Berkshire, and northeast Hampshire.

Following privatisation in 1996, significant alterations occurred: routes to West Croydon, Sutton, Coastway stations between Chichester and Brighton, and the Reading to Basingstoke line were discontinued. Conversely, new lines to Bristol (launched in 2004), Mottisfont & Dunbridge, and Dean were introduced after the franchise began. Long-established services beyond Exeter reaching Paignton, Plymouth, and Penzance—rivaling First Great Western—were terminated in December 2009 to reallocate rolling stock for an hourly Waterloo-Exeter service.

During peak periods, non-folding bicycles were prohibited on trains boarding or alighting within the Hook-Alton-Guildford-Reading-Dorking corridor to optimize capacity during busy times.

Quiet Zones were designated on most outer-suburban and select express trains; these areas were identified by window stickers and door signage where passengers were asked to refrain from loud conversations or playing music on mobile devices.

Routes

South West Trains provided both suburban and long-distance rail services connecting major locations such as London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Richmond, Twickenham, Ascot, Reading, Windsor & Eton Riverside, Kingston, Surbiton, Guildford, Aldershot, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton Central, Portsmouth & Southsea, Bournemouth, Bristol Temple Meads, and Exeter St Davids.

Primary Routes

South West Trains managed seven principal routes:

Suburban Routes

Suburban operations extend westward from Waterloo along the SWML, encompassing:

  • The line between Waterloo–Reading line starting at Clapham Junction
  • The Mole Valley Line stretching from Raynes Park to Dorking via Epsom
    • The branch line to Chessington from Motspur Park
    • The Guildford branch departing from Leatherhead
  • The Kingston loop line linking New Malden (on the Main Line) with Twickenham (on the Reading Line)
    • The branch line to Shepperton departing Teddington; primarily routed via New Malden, with select peak services routed through Twickenham
  • The New Guildford line heading to Guildford through Cobham & Stoke d'Abernon from Surbiton (alternatively, Guildford can be accessed via the main line through Woking)
  • The Hampton Court branch also serving Surbiton
  • The Alton branch originating at Brookwood, which connects with the heritage Mid Hants Railway

Additional routes

Travelcards

London Travelcards were commonly utilized for travel into Greater London beyond South West Trains stations. These tickets granted access to London Buses, Tramlink, Docklands Light Railway, London Underground, and national rail services within the Travelcard boundaries. Available as weekly, monthly, or annual passes (season tickets), issuance required a passport-sized photograph. Pricing was governed by the Office of Rail & Road.

Daily fares were categorized into four types: Peak 'Anytime', Off Peak, Super Off Peak, and Advance (pre-booked for long-distance travel). Ticket options included Single, Return (valid for one calendar month), and Day Return.

Smartcards

Within Greater London, Oyster pay-as-you-go was accepted on applicable services. Oyster cards loaded with season tickets were valid within the London Travelcard zones, mirroring the functionality of paper Travelcards and season passes.

In November 2010, the Department for Transport declared that starting May 2011, passengers could add credit to Oyster cards at all South West Trains stations inside the London Travelcard area. SWT was the final rail franchise to introduce this service (excluding Wimbledon and Richmond) for suburban rail travelers within the Travelcard region.

The smartcard ticketing system expanded in early 2010 to encompass routes from Weymouth to Basingstoke, Staines to Wokingham, and the Isle of Wight, extending beyond the initial pilot between Staines and Windsor. SWT also suggested reducing operational hours across 24 ticket offices.

Penalty fares

South West Trains enforced penalty fares on travelers found without valid tickets. To reduce fare evasion, SWT intended to install at least one self-service ticket machine at every station. In 2009, ticket barriers were introduced at Waterloo station to strengthen revenue protection measures.

Megatrain

Stagecoach, the parent company of SWT, promoted off-peak travel under the Megatrain brand from Monday through Saturday, employing a low-cost approach similar to Megabus. Megatrain tickets applied to selected lightly patronized services, mainly between London Waterloo and key destinations, with reserved seating available on specific trains.

Performance

Network Rail's most recent data for period 5 (2014/15) indicated a Public Performance Measure (PPM) of 88.2% and a Moving Annual Average (MAA) of 88.9% for the twelve months ending 16 August 2014.

Desiro fleet

The deployment of Desiro trains by Siemens replaced older , , , and slam-door units, fulfilling a franchise pledge to eliminate all slam-door rolling stock by 2005. These Desiro trains include onboard passenger information systems, comprehensive air conditioning, and improved acceleration; however, they require longer station dwell times due to having fewer doors.

Two variants of Desiro trains exist: four-car sets primarily assigned to suburban routes, and five-car sets featuring intercity-style doors used on longer-distance journeys to and .

British Rail EMUs (Class 455)

South West Trains managed a fleet of 91 four-car suburban units servicing routes from London Waterloo to locations such as Shepperton, Hampton Court, and Guildford. Originally constructed for British Rail, these trains underwent a refurbishment program between 2004 and March 2008. Enhancements included the installation of 2+2 high-backed seating, CCTV systems, dedicated bicycle storage, wheelchair-accessible areas, wider doors to facilitate quicker boarding, and upgraded passenger information displays.

British Rail EMUs (Class 456)

In March 2014, South West Trains incorporated all 24 two-car Class 456 units transferred from Southern. These units are compatible with Class 455 stock and are coupled together to form ten-car formations, thereby increasing passenger capacity on local services into Waterloo.

Coradia Juniper fleet (Class 458/0 – 458/5)

To expand capacity and replace aging Class 411 (4-CEP) trains, South West Trains placed an order in 1998 for thirty four-car Class 458 units. Although deliveries commenced that year, significant technical difficulties delayed their full introduction until 2004. Due to ongoing reliability issues, SWT intended to replace these units by 2005 with newer Desiro trains. Usage was limited thereafter until the lease expired in July 2006; an extension was refused because the units failed to meet all disability regulations.

By early 2007, the Class 458 fleet returned to service on the Waterloo to Reading route, partially offsetting the withdrawal of Class 442 trains. Modifications included larger destination displays to improve accessibility compliance, though some elements such as door-open button placement remained non-compliant.

A comprehensive reconfiguration combined all 120 vehicles of the original Class 458 fleet with 60 vehicles from similar units formerly operating Gatwick Express services. This created thirty-six five-car sets designated as Class 458/5. Since 2014, these have operated in coupled ten-car formations to enhance capacity.

The initial five-car sets were delivered in October 2013; after successful testing, ten-car services commenced in December 2013. Passenger operations started in March 2014 and continued until 2016 when the original Class 458/0 units were retired.

Diesel

South West Trains operated a diesel fleet comprising eleven two-car and thirty three-car multiple units—22 of the Class 159/0 subtype and eight Class 159/1 units. The Class 159/1s were conversions performed at Wabtec in Doncaster from Class 158s acquired from First TransPennine Express as part of an exchange involving other rolling stock. Additionally, eleven two-car Class 158 units were obtained from First TransPennine Express and refurbished at Wabtec.

Occasionally, Class 159 trains were utilized for railtour operations.

Locomotives

Although South West Trains did not operate locomotive-hauled passenger services, it maintained a small number of locomotives for rescue purposes until 2009. Locomotive number 73109 had been retained since franchise commencement, while numbers 73201 and 73235 were acquired from Gatwick Express in 2005. By the end of the franchise period, only locomotive 73235 remained under SWT ownership.

Fleet at end of franchise

colspan="7" | rowspan="2" |Class 450 Desiro rowspan="2" | align=center |Electric Multiple Unit EMU |- 100 |- 160 |- 4 |- 127 |- Main Line Routes: London Waterloo – (Portsmouth Harbour) (shared with Class 444s weekdays and Sundays), (Alton), (Basingstoke), occasional to Poole and Reading
Suburban routes including Southampton Central to Portsmouth & Southsea and Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier (weekends) 2002–2006 |- colspan="7" | rowspan="2" |Class 455 rowspan="2" | align=center |EMU |- 75 |- 120 |- 4 |- 91 |- Inner Suburban Routes:
Services from London Waterloo to Shepperton, Hampton Court, Woking via Hounslow, Strawberry Hill, Dorking, Guildford via Oxshott or Epsom, Chessington South, Windsor & Eton Riverside. 1982–1985; refurbished between 2004 and 2007 |- colspan="7" | rowspan="2" |Class 456 rowspan="2" | align=center |EMU |- 75 |- 120 |- 2 |- 24 |- Operated alongside Class 455 on suburban lines forming extended trains.
Ascot to Guildford. 1990–1991 |- colspan="7" | rowspan=2 |British Rail Class 458#458/5 'Coradia Juniper'' rowspan=2 | align=center |EMU |- 75 |- 120 |- 5 |- 36 |- Outer Suburban Services:
London Waterloo to Weybridge and Windsor & Eton Riverside via Staines upon Thames. 2013–2016 (originally delivered as Class 458/0 and Class 460 between1997–2001) colspan="7" | rowspan="2" |British Rail Class 707 ''Desiro City'' rowspan="2" | align=center |EMU |- 100 |- 160 |- 5 |- 2 |- Services between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside via Staines upon Thames. 2016–2017 |- colspan="7" |
Class Image Type Maximum Speed Carriages Quantity Routes Served Year Built
mph km/h
Class 73 Electro-diesel locomotive 90 145 N/A 1 Thunderbird Locomotive 1966
Class 158 Express Sprinter
DMU 2 11 London Waterloo – Salisbury / Exeter St Davids (Occasional) / Bristol Temple Meads
Exeter St Davids – Honiton / Axminster (Weekdays)
Romsey – Salisbury via Southampton Central
Brockenhurst – Lymington Pier (Weekdays) 		1989–1992
Class 159 South Western Turbo
DMU 90 145 3 30 West of England Main Line, Heart of Wessex, and Wessex Main Line:

London Waterloo – Salisbury, Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids, Yeovil Pen Mill, Frome
Portsmouth Harbour – Basingstoke (Morning)
Portsmouth Harbour – Southampton Central (Occasional)
Yeovil Junction – Yeovil Pen Mill (Peak Hours)

159/0: 1992–1993; Converted 2006–2007
Class 444 Desiro EMU 100 160 5 45 'Main Line Routes:
London Waterloo – Poole, Weymouth, and (Portsmouth Harbour) (shared with Class 450s weekdays and Sundays)
Limited Outer Suburban Routes

2003–2004

-

Isle of Wight Fleet

Class Image Type Maximum Speed Carriages Quantity Routes Served Year Built / Refurbished
mph km/h
Class 483 EMU 45 72.5 2 6 Route between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin railway station

1938 original build; refurbished between1989–1992

Past fleet

Former rolling stock operated by South West Trains comprised:

Class Image Type Quantity Operated Withdrawal Date
Class170 Turbostar DMU 9 July2007
Class411 (4Cep) 29 units retired May2005

-

Class412 (4Bep) 7 units retired May2005

-

Class421 (4Cig) 34 units retired May2005

-

Class423 (4Vep) 66 units retired May2005

-

rowspan=2 |'Wessex Electrics' (Class442) rowspan=2 | 24 units withdrawn February2007

-

colspan=3 |

-

Template:Brc Diesel multiple unit DMU 1 unit withdrawn March2009

-

rowspan=2 |'Coradia Juniper' (Class458/0) rowspan=2 | rowspan=2 |EMU 30 units withdrawn between2013–2015

Wessex Electrics fleet

The Template:BRC trains initially operated on the Weymouth route before being reassigned to the London–Portsmouth direct line. Prior to the introduction of new Desiro models—Classes444 and450—they were removed from Portsmouth services and solely dedicated again to Weymouth operations. South West Trains officially withdrew these trains on February3,2007, coinciding with the full reinstatement of all Class458s on the Waterloo–Reading corridor. Subsequently, the Waterloo–Weymouth line was served by the newly introduced Class444 units while some Portsmouth Harbour services transferred to Class450 stock; meanwhile, the stored Class442 trains were kept at Eastleigh depot.

Between2008 and2017, Southern leased these former SWT trains for its Gatwick Express service connecting London Victoria with Gatwick Airport and Brighton. Although eighteen of these units were initially intended to return under South Western Railway's management following franchise transfer, they were ultimately withdrawn in2021 and replaced by modified versions of the Class458 fleet.

Turbostar fleet

In2000, South West Trains supplemented its existing diesel multiple unit roster by acquiring eight two-car Class170/3 Turbostar trains. These served routes including London–Salisbury, a newly introduced local Southampton service, and Reading–Basingstoke lines. Occasionally deployed on Waterloo–Exeter journeys, their lack of end gangways combined with selective door-opening features limited their regular use on longer-distance services.

Between late2006 and mid-2007, these Turbostar units were transferred to First TransPennine Express in exchange for additional Class158 vehicles aimed at standardizing and expanding SWT’s diesel fleet. Notably, one unit—170392—built specifically for Southern's specifications but initially operated by SWT was moved to Southern and converted into a Class171 model.

Preserved trains

A number of complete slam-door multiple units formerly operated by South West Trains have been preserved across various heritage railways. These include:

  • Class411 unit411198 at Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway
  • Two Class412 units—412311 and422315—at Eden Valley Railway
  • One Class412 unit—412325—at East Kent Railway
  • Two Class421 units—421399 at Dartmoor Railway and421497 at Mid-Norfolk Railway
  • One more Class421 unit—421498—at Epping Ongar Railway
  • A single preserved Class423 unit—423417—at Bluebell Railway (currently located at Strawberry Hill)

In contrast, only two former Southern-operated slam-door units—a single example each of Classes421 and423—have been preserved. No complete sets from South Eastern Trains exist in preservation. Additionally preserved is a single hybrid unit combining Classes121/960 numbered55028 at Swanage Railway.

Wimbledon

The Wimbledon Traincare facility is located between Wimbledon and Earlsfield stations along the main line toward Waterloo. It is positioned adjacent to the Wimbledon viaduct.

Bournemouth

Situated southwest of Bournemouth station on the approach track leading to the former Bournemouth West station site lies Bournemouth depot. Until their withdrawal in February2007, it housed the 'Wessex Electrics'—the five-carriage Class442 trains. The branch line diverges at Branksome station where trains reverse direction into this depot.

Clapham

The Clapham Junction facility serves as a stabling location for the Desiro train fleet.

Northam

Situated south of St Denys station and near Southampton Football Club's St Mary's Stadium, the Northam depot was constructed by Siemens in 2002. It functions as the maintenance base for the Desiro fleet under a two-decade service agreement.

Effingham

Located adjacent to Effingham Junction station, this depot accommodates Multipurpose Vehicles (MPVs) and is equipped with two pitted tracks along with a refueling station.

Salisbury

The Salisbury depot is responsible for maintaining the diesel trains operated by South West Trains.

Fratton

Fratton Traincare depot, positioned in central Portsea Island next to Fratton station, includes facilities such as a carriage washing system and fueling points for Classes 158 and 159. It features a train shed containing two pitted roads dedicated to rolling stock upkeep. Overnight stabling is provided for Class 444 and 450 units. Additionally, sidings and bay platforms at Portsmouth & Southsea station are managed from this location.

Farnham

Located on Weydon Lane, Farnham depot was originally opened by Southern Railway in 1937 during the electrification of the Portsmouth and lines. Around 2005, it underwent modernization to accommodate new train units replacing older slam-door models. The upgrade included adding outdoor sidings for overnight storage and servicing, following the removal of obsolete quarry and ballast dump sidings behind the carriage shed.

See also

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