South West Trains facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
South West Trains

Info
Franchise(s):	South Western February 1996 – February 2003 February 2003 – February 2007 February 2007 – February 2017
Main region(s):	Greater London, Hampshire, Surrey & Dorset
Other region(s):	Berkshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon
Fleet size:	337 (343 including Island Line) 11 Class 158 Express Sprinter sets 30 Class 159 South Western Turbo sets 45 Class 444 Desiro sets 127 Class 450 Desiro sets 91 Class 455 sets 30 Class 458 Juniper sets 1 Class 73 Rescue electro-diesel locomotive (6 Class 483 - Island line sets)
Stations called at:	213 (177 operated)
National Rail abbreviation:	SW
Parent company:	Stagecoach Group
Web site:	www.southwesttrains.co.uk
Route map

South West Trains (SWT) was an English train operating company owned by Stagecoach, which operated the South Western franchise between 1996 and 2017.

It operated the majority of commuter services from its Central London terminus at London Waterloo to South West London and was the key operator for outer suburban and regional services in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset. It also provided regional services in Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight through its Island Line subsidiary.

The area of operation was the former South Western division of Network SouthEast, and was also roughly that of the pre-1923 London & South Western Railway (excluding everything west of Exeter). As part of the privatisation of British Rail, SWT was taken over by Stagecoach. In 2004, the franchise was retained by Stagecoach when re-tendered. In 2007, the franchise was merged with the Island Line franchise to form a newly extended South Western franchise, which was won by Stagecoach. When next tendered, the franchise was awarded to South Western Railway which took over the franchise on 20 August 2017.

Images for kids

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  A Class 444 Desiro unit used on longer-distance services on the electrified railway lines.

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  A Class 455 suburban unit at Wimbledon. These were used on inner suburban services.

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  A Class 159 South Western Turbo unit at Clapham Junction. These were used for long distance West of England Mainline services to Salisbury and Exeter St Davids.

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  A Class 458 Juniper pre-modifications at Clapham Junction

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  A Class 458/5 Juniper post-modifications at Clapham Junction

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  Line of 3 Class 159 s, 1 Class 158 and the former route learning Class 960 at Salisbury depot

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  423417 on display at an Open Day at Eastleigh Works in May 2009, alongside one of the operational 3CIG units.

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  The red livery symbolised short-distance journeys, such as the Hounslow Loop Line

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  The blue symbolised medium distance services, such as the Southampton Central to Portsmouth & Southsea.

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  The white symbolised long-distance services, such as London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids.