When Southwestern was handed to South West Trains in 1996, the 4-VEPs they inherited were quickly repainted in a style largely based upon the NSE livery but also featuring an orange strip that combined with the old livery to match the colours of its parent company Stagecoach, and their distinct and common buses.
 
Towards the end of the 4-VEPs service units were reformed using the best condition carriages to prolong life. Despite this the units only lasted a few months more, finally being taken out of service in May 2005.