LONDON Waterloo to Bournemouth on a SWR class 444!

Hello and welcome back to another trip report, today I’m travelling from London Waterloo to Bournemouth with SWR in standard class.
Date of travel: 30/04/22
TOC: SWR
Rolling stock: Class 444
Class of travel: standard class
Origin: London Waterloo
Destination: Bournemouth
Length of journey: 1hr 55m
no delay
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[@Phil-oj5nr]

Great train. A fitting replacement for the 442’s. Have used both trains in 2005, and by 2010 they were gone to the Brighton line. In 2014 we used them again, from Guildford to Portsmouth Harbour and Woking to Bournemouth.
Now semi-retired and living in Picton, South Island, New Zealand.

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Great video Daniel. The class 444s looks fantastic even in the livery

[@briansykes2806]

The trains are very slow today. 50 years ago the journey from Waterloo to Bournemouth took 1 hour 40 minutes or less. The only stop was Southampton Central and some trains did not even stop there. Steam trans in the 1950s did the journey in a similar time.

[@maimadha]

Great video;

[@juanman75]

Nice trip report Daniel, really kind of you to give up your seat. Those trains still look modern and stylish, to be honest there didn’t look to be much difference between first and standard class.

[@kevinellis8869]

The lack of luggage space is a constant challenge, not just for Southampton Airport but holidaymakers, cruise ship passengers and people going to the Channel Islands. SWR (and SWT before them) just see these trains as longer distance commuter services and want as many seats as possible, hence the removal of the buffet sections.

[@danielstripreports]

Yes definitely, a few years back (when first class was worth it!) We were heading to Southampton for a cruise and had to put our very heavy suitcases in the footwell of the seats, only thing I dislike about the 444s is the luggage space.

[@roysuarez5588]

BTW liked ur new wide angle lens.

[@royhumphrey49]

Daniel. A real gentleman. Good to see some decent millennials exist. 😇

[@jakethomas574]

Another great video! Definitely a fan of the wide lens. Your ‘camera-ship’ in general is always consistently great, definitely a big achievement seen how busy Waterloo was for you. Always been intrigued by 3rd rail trains, I remember you saying a trip on a 444 got you started on trains, what do you think therefore of the new SWR livery?

[@danielstripreports]

Thanks for the comment Jake, thanks for the feedback! I don't really like the new livery, I prefer it back with stagecoach, there was also a buffet counter and 'proper' first class seating before the refurbishment.

[@jakethomas574]

@@danielstripreports My pleasure, thank you for making these videos. I’m a bit of a minimalist myself so found the new one a bit better than the busy stagecoach colours. However I think sticking with a majority red livery would of helped in setting themselves apart from southeastern and Thameslink. Do you feel that from your experience rail usage has returned to the numbers before covid? Looking forward to next weeks video!

[@danielstripreports]

It's definitely a lot more sleek compared to the old livery, the 444s used to be similar to what you'd find on an intercity train, I'd go as far to say the comfort is better than the IEPs. Travel numbers are definitely going up, but it seems to be far more leisure centred compared to business.

[@jakethomas574]

@@danielstripreports I agree, I do remember them being comfortable and it’s great to see good the leg room wasn’t affected during refurbishment. Well that’s good to see, I assume commuting is down due to flexible working. Again keep up the great videos, is there any ambition trips planned for after your exams? (Good luck by the way)

[@danielstripreports]

It would be hard to change the seating layout, would have to buy completely new seats, would be very expensive. I don't get why they changed the first class to 2+2 tho, I'm never seen it busy ever, no matter what the time is. It would have been better to completely axe first class or keep it as 2+1 just in a smaller compartment. These units didn't need a guards compartment and a buffet though, that was a smart move in the refurbishment. I've only got one trip booked for post GCSEs, going from euston to Birmingham with Avanti in first class, then to Hereford with west midlands then gwr first class from Hereford to London Paddington first class which should be interesting. Looking into doing the night Riviera as well as I've seen the prices and they're very reasonable. Also might be looking into doing some trips up north some time.

[@dracojiggzz436]

Never been to the beach in Bournemouth

[@tsungiraichiramba]

Brilliant video, have you done the once a day London Paddington to Banbury yet?

[@danielstripreports]

Not yet but sounds interesting!

[@AndrewG1989]

Siemens who manufactured the Class 444 5-Car Desiro could of manufactured the 5-Car Desiro for Southern, Southeastern, Greater Anglia, London Northwestern Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway and ScotRail. I do like the Class 444.

[@firstname7837]

How much was your journey please as every ticket I'm trying to get is more than £50.

[@danielstripreports]

£12.05

[@roysuarez5588]

Watch ur audio levels. Intro couldn't hear you. Otherwise good overall. 😉

[@lucarubbathan-lemesle3708]

Video quality 😳

[@danielstripreports]

Good or bad?

[@lucarubbathan-lemesle3708]

Very good quality

[@lucarubbathan-lemesle3708]

Hd!

[@danielstripreports]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@maimadha]

@@danielstripreports your video quality is very good