Introducing the refurbished class 456

456003 leads 456024 and an unidentified class 455 on the 15:24 Waterloo-Dorking service on 27th January 2014.

Built at BREL York works from 1990-1991 the class 456's have spent almost their entire lives up until now working on the central division of the former Southern region suburban network. In 2013 the class finished working with Southern following their replacement by further new class 377 'Electrostar' trains. This allowed a cascade to South West Trains where the class will be used to boost trains to 10 coaches by running in multiple with two class 455 sets.

Like the refurbished class 455's the 456's feature longitudinal
 seating close to some door areas.

Toilets were removed from the class 456's while working for
Southern. The small toilet window is still evedident in this.
Unfortunatly it's replacement with a full size window was
beyond the scope of works carried out on the 456's at
Wolverton where they were have been refurbished

Upon reallocation to South West Trains the opportunity has been taken to give the sets a thorough refurbishment to bring them up to the same standard as the very popular class 455's. This is the third time the class 456's have been refurbished- initially delivered to Network South East the trains received new high back seats and a Southern 'green' interior during their time with Southern. The transformation for South West Trains is huge with some passengers once again commenting that they look like new trains. The 456's currently look the best they have done for many years and almost certainly provide the best level of passenger comfort that they ever have.

The South West Trains refurbished class 456's first entered service on 10th November 2014 on selected workings. In the interim before 10 car running begins the sets are operating in pairs in place of class 455 units which are away for works attention.

With the exception of the additional window behind the cab, there is little to distinguish the interior of the class 456 from the 455's which are also in service with South West Trains. The refurbishment has been completed to a very high standard at Wolverton by Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems.