Emotional Farewell to Class 455 Trains Raises £45,000 for Charity

A special farewell tour marking the withdrawal of long-serving commuter trains has generated more than £45,000 for charity, following overwhelming public interest.

South Western Railway’s red Class 455 units, which have been operating on the network for more than four decades, are in the process of being replaced by the operator’s new Arterio trains. To mark the occasion, a dedicated rail tour was held on 21 December, allowing passengers to travel behind the increasingly rare trains through locations including Guildford and Epsom.

Demand for tickets was so strong that they sold out in just 15 seconds. What was initially planned as a single-train event was expanded after what organisers described as unprecedented interest, prompting South Western Railway and the Branch Line Society to add a second service to accommodate the large number of enthusiasts keen to take part.

More than 900 people are understood to have joined the farewell runs, with proceeds being shared between three charities: Macmillan, The Alex Wardle Foundation and Railway Children.

The Class 455 fleet was built by British Rail Engineering Ltd, with 70 units entering service from March 1983. Designed for intensive suburban work, the trains became a familiar sight on routes across Surrey, Berkshire and south-west London, operating into and out of London Waterloo.

South Western Railway has confirmed the remaining Class 455 units will be withdrawn from service by the end of the year, bringing to a close a 42-year chapter in the region’s commuter rail history.

Image: South Western Railway