#class 455

[network-rail]

Since they're retiring in about a week and won't get to experience the new livery, I drew a Class 455 in the GBR livery they just announced to celebrate their retirement!

[national-rail]

Vote for your favourite train! Round 2 Poll 9

(Top Left) Class 90

(Top Right) Class 455

(Bottom Left) Class 99

(Bottom Right) Class 88

Voting ended onJan 6, 2025

More info below!

Class 90 Manufacturer: BREL (1987-1990) Model: n/a Designed as a modernised version of the Class 87 for both freight and passenger use. Procured due to the impracticality of using Class 91s for freight traffic.

Class 455 Manufacturer: BREL (1982-1985) Model: BR Second Generation (Mark 3 Derived) Designed as a passenger commuter train for the Southern region, using the same bodyshell as the Class 317 and 318. To save on costs, the /7 subclass uses a carriage from a Class 508, which were shortened when moved to Liverpool.

Class 99 Manufacturer: Stadler (?) Model: Euro Dual A diesel and electric bi-mode locomotive designed to replace Class 66s on intermodal freight.

Class 88 Manufacturer: Vossloh (2015-2016), Stadler (2016) Model: Euro Dual Designed as a bi-mode variant of the Class 68. Used for freight traffic over primarily electrified routes.

[network-rail]

A class 455 doing some sweet multi-track drifting

[network-rail]

o7

[network-rail]

I have been seeing fewer and fewer class 455s out and about. I can’t believe they’d do this to my precious THEYRE TOO YOUNG TO DIE

[network-rail]

Genuine question, what's your favorite british train?

This is kind of a difficult question for me to answer since there are a lot of british trains that I like for a bunch of different reasons (such as the Intercity 225, although I've never actually been on one) but if I had to pick one it would probably have to be the class 455, mostly for sentimental reasons (it's probably the train I've been on the most). They're retiring soon and I'll miss them, and I don't think there are any other trains that I'm attached to in the same way. I guess this is more which train I'm most sentimentally attached to rather than which is my favorite, but I don't think I'd really be able to answer that. Anyways, here's a photo of a class 455 for those who don't know what they look like:

[network-rail]

I remember many years ago taking the train into london with friends, and whenever we passed by a graveyard they said we had to touch nails so the ghosts wouldn’t eat us or something. Nowadays of course it’s only the class 455s that have any exposed screw heads inside, so if you’re on a new train I guess you’re just going to be eaten by ghosts

[network-rail]

So the class 455s are retiring soon, this December (the 21st I believe) and I won't be here to see them go :( They've been around for my entire time living in Britain and I will miss them. Even if they don't have air conditioning. And are a bit loud (which is more endearing than annoying, to me anyways). At least they retire under a government operator after 42 years of loyal service.

Here's the relevant news from South Western and the branch line society on the whole retirement thing (they're doing a special farwell service. which costs money to ride [more than usual][also they've sold out already] but you can also just watch. maybe see if you can get a platform ticket. if they still do those) Now it's up to to the Sprinters, Networkers, and Class 225s to make sure something from British Rail survives until Great British Railways starts existing.