South Western Railway (SWR) has announced the retirement of its last two Class 455 trains, which were taken out of service on March 20, 2026. The trains, numbered 5712 and 5732, have been laid up and will soon be sent for scrap, marking the end of an era for this class of rolling stock.

On the same day, significant disruptions were reported across the network due to a fallen tree that blocked railway lines. The incident first came to light at 2:44 PM, causing delays and affecting passenger services. By 8:15 PM, SWR had confirmed the disruption, which continued until the lines were reopened at 11:20 PM.

In total, 60 Class 701/0 trains are now operational with South Western Railway, with the exception of one unit, 701003. The last of the Class 701/0s departed from Long Marston on March 5, 2026, completing the transition to newer rolling stock.

During the disruption, SWR allowed affected passengers to book their own taxis and claim refunds for their journeys. Passengers experiencing delays of over 15 minutes were eligible for compensation, as the hold-ups continued for up to 90 minutes after the lines were reopened.

A spokesperson for SWR expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, stating, “We are very sorry for any disruption to your journey.” They also confirmed that response teams were dispatched to address the fallen tree and restore services promptly.

This incident follows the recent Class 455 Farewell railtours, which attracted notable figures, including Rail Minister Lord Hendy, celebrating the legacy of the retired trains. As South Western Railway moves forward, the focus remains on enhancing service reliability and passenger experience amidst ongoing challenges.

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Network Rail will carry out essential maintenance on the Essex Thameside line over several weekends in April and May 2026. This work is part of a broader initiative to enhance the reliability and resilience of rail services for passengers, with specific dates set for the weekends of April 4-5 and April 11-12.

Mark Walker, a representative from Network Rail, stated, “We’re carrying out vital upgrades along the Essex Thameside line to make journeys more reliable and resilient for passengers.” The maintenance is expected to improve ride quality and minimize long-term track wear, ensuring a safer and more efficient travel experience.

During the maintenance period, passengers are encouraged to check their journey plans before travelling, utilizing resources such as National Rail Enquiries or the c2c website. Services on the Basildon line will be diverted to Liverpool Street, and shuttle trains will operate between Upminster and Grays on the Ockendon line to accommodate the changes.

In addition to the Essex Thameside line work, another significant closure is scheduled for the railway between Newport and Cardiff Central from Friday, March 20, to Monday, March 23, 2026. This closure is necessary for track renewal work, which Nick Millington emphasized as essential for maintaining safety and reliability on this busy stretch of railway.

During the Newport and Cardiff closure, buses will replace trains, and passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. Colin Lea, a spokesperson for Transport for Wales, urged passengers to check their travel plans in advance, noting that many services will be affected throughout the weekend.

Additionally, the Moat Lane crossing will be closed from March 10, 2026, between 7 PM and 6:05 AM, necessitating a 67-mile diversion for road users. The road is expected to reopen by 6:05 AM on March 11, 2026, after the completion of the necessary roadworks.

Rob Mullen from c2c highlighted the importance of the ongoing work, stating, “This work will strengthen the route for years to come, and we would urge all c2c customers to check before they travel during this period.” As the maintenance progresses, passengers and observers will be closely monitoring the impact on service schedules and overall travel experiences.

As preparations continue for these essential upgrades, details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional service changes that may arise. Passengers are advised to stay informed and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid disruptions.

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