SWT Desiro "Swoosh" Variations
("Swoosh" is the common term for the upward curved stripes about the cab sides in the South West Trains livery.)

Warning! This topic is for those that revel in the minutiae of livery variations, so we accept this might not be of interest to everyone.....unless, of course, we can convert you to being a hard-core livery fanatic!

Observers have noticed that the position of the "swoosh" on South West Trains Class 450 Desiro units is not consistent across the entire fleet of 127 units. Generally there are two different applications split into three batches, but at least sixteen variations within these two applications have been noted.

The key points of observation are where the lower edge of the orange stripe intersects the bottom of the cab door window and upper edge of the orange stripe intersects the cab front edge of the same window.

There needs to be four qualifications about this study:

• There are four such points of observation on each unit and this study is compiled from noting rarely no more than two on the same side of the unit.
• The majority of observations took no note of the coach number.
• 450099, 450105, 450108, 450116, 450118 and 450120 were not observed directly or from a photograph for this study. (Missing 6 our of 127 is not bad!)
• Observations were made from photographs and actual units during the period February 2003 (first arrivals) to April 2007 (this study compiled).

The two major applications and minor variations are best explained by use of illustrations - in this case pictures definitely save a thousand words!

All pictures on this page were taken by Colin Duff unless otherwise credited.

The early and late application of the "swoosh" has the lower edge of the orange stripe intersecting the lower edge of the cab door window a few inches from the corner, though the distance from the corner can vary. The upper edge of the orange stripe intersects the cab front edge of the window part way up from the bottom to the top of the fixed lower pane (do not be confused by the upper edge of the upper pane when it is slid down as with 450015 below right). We will refer to this as the "edge" variation.

This application generally applies to 450001-450049 (the early deliveries) and 450111-450126 (the latest batch curiously not including 450127), but see exceptions below.

The intermediate application of the livery is neater with the lower edge of the orange stripe intersecting the corner of the cab door window. The upper edge of the orange stripe aligns at the cab front edge with the top of the fixed lower pane. We will refer to this as the "corner" variation.

This application generally applies to 450050 to 450110 plus 450127, but see exceptions below.

The exceptions!

Here are just two illustrations of exceptions. 450091 on at least one point of observation has the lower edge of the orange stripe fractionally "edge" and the upper edge of the orange stripe almost but not quite "corner".

450101 (below both ends on one side) has one driving car clearly "corner" the other driving car is as described for 450091.

Other noted exceptions are:

• 450009, 450010, 450028, 450041, 450045, 450051, 450059, 450063, 450104, 450106 have one vehicle "corner" and the other "edge".
• 450020 and 450080 have at least one cab side as per 450091 (above).
• 450053 and 450109 are as per 450101 (above).
  

Any of your observations which confirm, contradict or add to this study are most welcome! Please e mail the webmaster.

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This page updated 12th August 2007 by Colin Duff.
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