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| numberservice = 33<!-- Do not add 153/5s to number in service until a source can be found to say the 153/5s have entered service --> | numberservice = 33<!-- Do not add 153/5s to number in service until a source can be found to say the 153/5s have entered service -->
| numberpreserved = 1 | numberpreserved = 1
| numberscrapped = 11 | numberscrapped = 12
| formation = Single vehicle: {{abbr|DMSL|Driver's cab, Motor car, Standard class saloon, Lavatory}}<ref name=Fox94-3132 /> | formation = Single vehicle: {{abbr|DMSL|Driver's cab, Motor car, Standard class saloon, Lavatory}}<ref name=Fox94-3132 />
| diagram = {{ubl|DX203<ref name=Fox94-3132 />|(From DP248 and DP249)<ref name=BRBDMU220>{{cite book| title = Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars)| publisher = British Railways Board| location = Derby| date = 1982| at = DP248, DP249| via = Barrowmore MRG| url = http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/CS/Book_No_220_LA_web.pdf| access-date = 7 August 2022 | archive-date = 21 January 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150121172516/http://barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Book220Issue.pdf| url-status = live|format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}</ref>}} | diagram = {{ubl|DX203<ref name=Fox94-3132 />|(From DP248 and DP249)<ref name=BRBDMU220>{{cite book| title = Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars)| publisher = British Railways Board| location = Derby| date = 1982| at = DP248, DP249| via = Barrowmore MRG| url = http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/CS/Book_No_220_LA_web.pdf| access-date = 7 August 2022 | archive-date = 21 January 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150121172516/http://barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Book220Issue.pdf| url-status = live|format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}</ref>}}
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====Network Rail==== ====Network Rail====
] Class 153 at ] in 2024]]
In May 2021, ] purchased three units (153311, 153376, and 153385) for use on infrastructure monitoring services.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=153s for NR infrastructure fleet |magazine=Modern Railways |issue=873 (June 2021) |page=85 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford}}</ref><ref name="RailwayExpress302">{{cite magazine |title=Class 153 |department=Units |magazine=Rail Express |issue=302 |date=July 2021 |page=28 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref> In May 2021, ] purchased three units (153311, 153376, and 153385) for use on infrastructure monitoring services.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=153s for NR infrastructure fleet |magazine=Modern Railways |issue=873 (June 2021) |page=85 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford}}</ref><ref name="RailwayExpress302">{{cite magazine |title=Class 153 |department=Units |magazine=Rail Express |issue=302 |date=July 2021 |page=28 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref>


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====Post privatisation==== ====Post privatisation====
In the lead up to ], ownership of the fleet passed to ] (30) and ] (40) in April 1994.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=25 Years of ROSCOs |magazine=Rail Express |issue=281 (October 2019) |pages=19, 21 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref> Upon privatisation, they were initially operated by ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name=TRUKNov10/> In the lead up to ], ownership of the fleet passed to ] (30) and ] (40) in April 1994.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=25 Years of ROSCOs |magazine=Rail Express |issue=281 (October 2019) |pages=19, 21 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref> Upon privatisation, they were initially operated by ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name=TRUKNov10/>


====South West England==== ====South West England====
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2 Class 153s have been bought by ], primarily for use in training staff from ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Central Railway Journal Newsletter |url=https://sx77t.mjt.lu/nl3/uKqYfuUcdBuHk6MfmrDsRw?m=AVYAAC86h8cAAc3_T94AA5qobGkAAYDOxdoAncT5ACXcKwBld29HANV8CBGUSQeiSD4PqRiIGwAjUL4&b=86295a3a&e=91102e80&x=wBAggi66aEFu7VE1aeGEvr4x9xz80ew5h3oSeJB3nNQ |language=en |date=11 December 2023}}</ref> 2 Class 153s have been bought by ], primarily for use in training staff from ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Central Railway Journal Newsletter |url=https://sx77t.mjt.lu/nl3/uKqYfuUcdBuHk6MfmrDsRw?m=AVYAAC86h8cAAc3_T94AA5qobGkAAYDOxdoAncT5ACXcKwBld29HANV8CBGUSQeiSD4PqRiIGwAjUL4&b=86295a3a&e=91102e80&x=wBAggi66aEFu7VE1aeGEvr4x9xz80ew5h3oSeJB3nNQ |language=en |date=11 December 2023}}</ref>

In 2024 ] received approval from the ] to run services between ], ] and ] under an ] using refurbished Class 153 units. <ref>{{cite web |title=Railway Gazette|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/co-operatively-owned-go-op-approved-to-launch-open-access-train-services/67828.article |language=en |date=19 November 2024}}</ref>


==Fleet details== ==Fleet details==
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|- |-
|''Stored'' |''Stored''
| align="center" |15 | align="center" |14
|153301, 153304, 153315, 153319, 153351, 153354–153357, 153365, 153375, 153378, 153381, 153383, 153384<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Northern begins '153' withdrawal |magazine=Rail Magazine |location=Peterborough |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |issue=929 |page=28}}</ref> |153301, 153304, 153315, 153319, 153351, 153354–153357, 153375, 153378, 153381, 153383, 153384<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Northern begins '153' withdrawal |magazine=Rail Magazine |location=Peterborough |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |issue=929 |page=28}}</ref>
|- |-
|''Scrapped'' |''Scrapped''
|align=center|11 |align=center|12
|153302, 153316, 153324, 153330, 153332, 153358-153360, 153363-153364, 153366<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Stock Update |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1445 (August 2021) |page=105 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Stock Update |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1454 (May 2022) |page=85 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= Stock Update |magazine=] |issue=October 2023|page=83}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Butlin|first=Ashley|title=Multiplie Units|department=Stock Update |magazine= ] |issue=1474|volume=170|date=January 2024|page=81}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Two more 153s for scrap |magazine= ] |issue=264|date=February 2024|page=59}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Class 153s scrapped|department=Fleet Review |magazine= ] |issue=253|date=March 2024|page=20}}</ref> |153302, 153316, 153324, 153330, 153332, 153358-153360, 153363-153365, 153366<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Butlin|first=Ashley|title=Multiple Units|department=Stock Update |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1445|date=August 2021|page=105 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Butlin|first=Ashley|title=Multiple Units|department=Stock Update |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1454|date=May 2022 |page=85 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Butlin|first=Ashley|title=Multiple Units|department=Stock Update |magazine=] |issue=October 2023|page=83}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Butlin|first=Ashley|title=Multiplie Units|department=Stock Update |magazine= ] |issue=1474|volume=170|date=January 2024|page=81}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Two more 153s for scrap |magazine= ] |issue=264|date=February 2024|page=59}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Class 153s scrapped|department=Fleet Review |magazine= ] |issue=253|date=March 2024|page=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=Depot Talk|department=Units|magazine=]|issue=343|date=December 2024|page=24}}</ref>
|- |-
|''Non-railway use'' |''Non-railway use''
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|''Preserved'' |''Preserved''
|align=center|1 |align=center|1
|153371<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=First passenger outings for Class 153 at GCR |department=Multiple Unit Developments|magazine=] |issue=336|date=May 2024|page=35}}</ref> |153371<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=Multiple Unit Devlopments |department=Preservation|magazine=] |issue=336|date=May 2024|page=35}}</ref>
|- |-
|''Non-passenger use'' |''Non-passenger use''
|align=center|2 |align=center|2
|153308,<ref name="TRUK264">{{cite magazine|title=GCR offers new lease of life to Class 153s |magazine= ] |issue=264|date=February 2024|page=68}}</ref> 153317,<ref name="RE330">{{cite magazine|title= Class 153 developments |magazine=] |issue=330|date=November 2023|page=21}}</ref> |153308,<ref name="TRUK264">{{cite magazine|title=GCR offers new lease of life to Class 153s |magazine= ] |issue=264|date=February 2024|page=68}}</ref> 153317,<ref name="RE330">{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title= Class 153 developments|department=Units|magazine=] |issue=330|date=November 2023|page=21}}</ref>
|} |}


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*153311 ''John Constable''<ref name="MLI"/> *153311 ''John Constable''<ref name="MLI"/>
*153314 ''Delia Smith''<ref name="MLI"/> *153314 ''Delia Smith''<ref name="MLI"/>
*153316 ''] '' inventor of the Marine Chronometer (scrapped)<ref name="Railways Illustrated249">{{cite magazine|title= Stock Changes |magazine=] |issue=261|date=November 2023|page=60}}</ref> *153316 ''] '' inventor of the Marine Chronometer (Scrapped)<ref name="Railways Illustrated249">{{cite magazine|title= Stock Changes |magazine=] |issue=261|date=November 2023|page=60}}</ref>
*153322 ''Benjamin Britten''<ref name="MLI"/> *153322 ''Benjamin Britten''<ref name="MLI"/>
*153326 ''Ted Ellis''<ref name="MLI"/> *153326 ''Ted Ellis''<ref name="MLI"/>
*153329 ''The St. Ives Belle'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI">{{cite magazine |title=Technical Driving and Cabs|magazine=Modern Locomotives Illustrated |date=February 2015 |issue=211 |pages=54-63 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford}}</ref> *153329 ''The St. Ives Belle'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI">{{cite magazine |title=Technical Driving and Cabs|magazine=Modern Locomotives Illustrated |date=February 2015 |issue=211 |pages=54–63 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford}}</ref>
*153335 ''Michael Palin'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI"/> *153335 ''Michael Palin'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI"/>
*153362 ''Dylan Thomas 1914-1953'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI"/> *153362 ''Dylan Thomas 1914-1953'' (denamed)<ref name="MLI"/>

Latest revision as of 02:40, 13 December 2024

British single-carriage diesel railcars

British Rail Class 153
Super Sprinter
KeolisAmey Wales Class 153 at Ty Glas in 2019
Interior of a refurbished East Midlands Trains unit
In service1991–present
Manufacturer
Order no.31026
Family nameSprinter
ReplacedBR First-Generation DMUs
Constructed
  • 1987–1988
  • (Converted 1991–1992)
Entered service1991
Number built70
Number in service33
Number preserved1
Number scrapped12
FormationSingle vehicle: DMSL
Diagram
  • DX203
  • (From DP248 and DP249)
Fleet numbers
  • Units:
  • 153301–153335
  • 153351–153385
  • Vehicles:
  • 52301–52335
  • 57351–57385
Capacity
  • Pre-PRM: 66, 72, or 75 seats
  • PRM modified: 59 seats
Operators
Depots
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length23.208 m (76 ft 1.7 in)
Width2.700 m (8 ft 10.3 in)
Height3.746 m (12 ft 3.5 in)
DoorsSingle-leaf sliding plug (2 per side)
Wheelbase
  • Bogies: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Bogie centres: 16.0 m (52 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed75 mph (120 km/h)
Weight41.2 tonnes (40.5 long tons; 45.4 short tons)
Axle loadRoute Availability 1
Prime mover(s)1 × Cummins NT855-R5
Engine typeInline-6 4-stroke turbo-diesel
Displacement14 L (855 cu in)
Power output213 kW (285 hp)
TransmissionVoith T 211 r (hydrokinetic)
HVACWarm air & hot-water radiators
UIC classification2′B′
Bogies
  • Powered: BREL P3-10
  • Unpowered: BREL BT38
Minimum turning radius90 m (295 ft 3 in)
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (tread)
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemBSI
Multiple workingWithin class, plus Classes 14x, 15x, and 170
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Converted from 35 × Class 155 units

The British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinter are single-coach diesel-hydraulic railcars which were converted from two-coach Class 155 diesel multiple units in the early 1990s. The class was intended for service on rural branch lines, either where passenger numbers do not justify longer trains or to boost the capacity on services with high passenger volume.

Description

In 1987 and 1988, Regional Railways took delivery of 35 two-coach Class 155 units, built by Leyland Bus at its Workington factory, to replace older DMUs. After the Class 155s entered service, a further requirement emerged for the replacement of ageing railcars on rural lines, mostly of Class 121 and Class 122. British Rail decided to meet this need by dividing each unit in the Regional Railways Class 155 fleet into two separate railcars that could then be converted for use independently, which would create a fleet of 70 vehicles. The seven further Class 155 units that had been delivered to the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (WYPTE) in 1989 were not included in this plan.

In 1990, British Rail awarded a contract for the work to Hunslet-Barclay and it was undertaken at the firm's Kilmarnock plant in 1991 and 1992. The Class 155 units had been numbered from 155301 to 155335 and consisted of DMSL(A) vehicles 52301 to 52335 and DMSL(B) vehicles 57301 to 57335. After separation, the DMSL(A) vehicles were given new unit numbers from 153301 to 153335, while the DMSL(B) vehicles were renumbered 57351 to 57385 (incrementing each by 50) and given matching 'unit' numbers from 153351 to 153385.

The conversion involved retrofitting a driver's cab into the spaces previously used for luggage racks at the "inside" end (B-end) of each vehicle, where each vehicle had previously been coupled back-to-back with its matching opposite in a Class 155 formation. This new cab is notably smaller than the original one at the A-end, as the positions of the exterior doors were not changed during the conversion, and it was necessary to reduce the size of the vestibule slightly in order to provide enough space for the driver. The difference in cab sizes is visible from the outside of the vehicle, which appears unsymmetrical when viewed from the sides. The arrangement of headlights on the new cab end is also different to that on the original cab end.

They are fitted with BSI automatic couplers and are able to work in tandem with other multiple units with BSI couplers and compatible coupler electrical wiring; these are Classes 142, 143, 144, 150, 155, 156, 158, 159, 170 and 172. Gangway connections are provided at either end to allow passengers and staff to walk between units working in multiple, in-class as well as 150/2, 155, 156, 158 and 159. The maximum speed of 75 mph (121 km/h) was unchanged.

Operations

Current operations

Wales & Borders

Arriva Trains Wales Class 153 at Cardiff Central in 2014

Transport for Wales Rail has a fleet of 26 Class 153s. They are normally used on rural branch lines – such as the Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea and on local stopping services from Crewe to Shrewsbury via Nantwich – but are also used on some mainline services. One is used daily on the short Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay shuttle.

Following a timetable change in December 2006, Arriva Trains Wales had lost three of its then-11 Class 153 units, leaving it with eight. Two were transferred to East Midlands Trains with the other going to First Great Western. In October 2018 all eight passed with the franchise to Transport for Wales (KeolisAmey Wales), who acquired a further five from Great Western Railway in April 2019, five from Abellio Greater Anglia in December 2019, four from East Midlands Railway in January 2020 and another two from EMR in November 2020, which brought the total number up to 24 until a further two units were acquired.

As at February 2020, Transport for Wales was the only train operating company to have modified 153s to comply with the requirements of the Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI), which came into effect on 1 January 2020. In June 2021, the new state-owned Transport for Wales Rail purchased eight outright for continued use on the Heart of Wales line after plans to replace them with Class 170 units were cancelled. In July 2022, the refurbishment of the 26 units was completed.

Scotland

ScotRail 'Highland Explorer' on the West Highland Line

In 2019 and 2020, five former GWR 153s moved from Northern to Abellio ScotRail for use on West Highland Line services between Glasgow and Oban, in conjunction with ScotRail's existing Class 156 fleet. The first refurbished carriage was unveiled in late 2020. The first unit began service on 19 July 2021.

The trains have also been refurbished inside providing free Wi-Fi, plug and USB sockets, and maps of the West Highland Line on the tables. ScotRail describe the service offering as Highland Explorer and charge a £10 upgrade fee for passengers using it. Due to a local agreement with driver's union ASLEF, ScotRail's Class 153s can only be driven from the A-end cab – the B-end cab being considered too cramped for long-distance driving.

Network Rail

Network Rail Class 153 at Shenfield in 2024

In May 2021, Network Rail purchased three units (153311, 153376, and 153385) for use on infrastructure monitoring services.

Former operations

Regional Railways

Regional Railways Class 153 at Severn Beach in 1994

Regional Railways operated Class 153s on many branch lines throughout the Midlands, Wales and Northern England, both individually and with other classes of Sprinter unit. They were initially allocated to Heaton (15), Cardiff Canton (9), Plymouth Laira (10), Crown Point (16) and Tyseley (20). Class 153s were often found working services from;

Post privatisation

In the lead up to privatisation of British Rail, ownership of the fleet passed to Angel Trains (30) and Porterbrook (40) in April 1994. Upon privatisation, they were initially operated by Anglia Railways, Central Trains, First North Western, Northern Spirit, and Wales & West.

South West England

Wessex Trains Class 153 at Bristol Temple Meads in 2006
First Great Western Class 153 at Starcross in 2013

First Great Western took over the Wessex Trains fleet upon the merger of the two franchises. Wessex Trains had, in turn, inherited its fleet of 13 units from its predecessor Wales & West.

Units were used on local services in Cornwall, Devon, and around Bristol. They were also used on Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth, Southampton Central, and Worcester Foregate Street services, and the Swindon via Melksham to Southampton Central service.

In mid-2004, Wessex Trains received a further two units from Central Trains to allow it to lengthen some services.

Following the introduction of a new timetable in December 2006, four units were taken off lease and stored at Eastleigh Works. After a period in storage these four units were pressed into service with East Midlands Trains.

In December 2007, First Great Western received an additional Class 153 from Arriva Trains Wales, bringing its total to 12. This unit arrived in the blue with gold star livery of former operator First North Western.

For summer 2011, two London Midland Class 153s were allocated to the South West for strengthening purposes, based at Exeter TMD for the duration. This allocation was eventually made permanent as a result of London Midland keeping three Class 150 units after the new Class 172s entered service. This brought First Great Western's number of Class 153 units up to 14.

Nine of those 14 units later left the fleet, with the remaining five moving to Transport for Wales in April 2019 after being displaced by internal cascading.

East Anglia

Anglia Railways Class 153 at Cambridge in 2003
Class 153 No. 153306 at Ipswich

Anglia Railways inherited a small fleet of seven units, for local services in Suffolk and Norfolk. Services operated by these units included Ipswich to Cambridge, Peterborough, Felixstowe and Lowestoft, and Norwich to Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Cromer. One set was also hired to First Great Eastern for use on the Gainsborough line.

In 2004, Anglia Railways became part of the Greater Anglia franchise operated by One which was subsequently renamed National Express East Anglia. Two units left the franchise to East Midlands Trains. During 2012, Porterbrook began refurbishing the body and interiors and repainting them in base white with red doors and Greater Anglia logos.

In 2014, a rolling refurbishment of Abellio Greater Anglia's Class 153s commenced, which included new interior panels, tables, carpets and lighting. All were replaced by Class 755s in late 2019. These then moved to Transport for Wales in December 2019 to cover for delays with its new rolling stock.

West Midlands

West Midlands Trains used eight Class 153 DMUs on commuter lines in the West Midlands including the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton line and the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley. After Class 172 from London Overground and Class 230s' deployment on those two lines, they were used with Class 170s and Class 172s on Birmingham-Hereford and Snow Hill Lines.

All eight were inherited from Central Trains in their livery. All were repainted into London Midland city lines livery upon refurbishment at Eastleigh Works. The Class 153s that were used on the Stourbridge Town branch line have been replaced by new built lightweight Class 139 railcars. This was due to take place in December 2008, but the delivery of the new units was delayed, and after several months of bustitution London Midland reintroduced diesel services from 15 March pending the completion of Class 139 testing. The Class 139 received passenger certification from Network Rail in March 2009 and the service finally began three months later. In December 2020 the final Class 153s were withdrawn from service and put into long-term storage. Before withdrawal, they mostly operated on the Birmingham-Hereford line.

East Midlands

East Midlands Trains Class 153 at Alsager in 2015

East Midlands Trains inherited many examples of Class 153 units, receiving six from Central Trains, three from National Express East Anglia and four former First Great Western units that had been stored at Eastleigh Works. In December 2007, East Midlands Trains received two from Arriva Trains Wales and two from Northern Rail. All passed with the East Midlands franchise to East Midlands Railway in August 2019. In January 2020, four were transferred to Transport for Wales. At one point in April 2020, only three EMR Class 153s were in service, following the implementation of an emergency timetable due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all others being stored out of use as surplus to requirement. Two more returned to services by July 2020, while five others (153302, 153318, 153368, 153372, 153374, and 153382) had their leases terminated.

All of the East Midlands Trains Class 153 units were repainted into the company's local lines livery.

In July 2010, the first unit 153319 entered Neville Hill TMD for a C6 refresh programme. The work included corrosion repair, internal refresh and a cab refurbishment programme.

East Midlands Railway's fleet of Class 153s were used on rural routes:

The last of the East Midlands Railway Class 153s were withdrawn in December 2021, as they were not compliant with the Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI) regulations. Class 156 units replaced them on the Barton-on-Humber route from 13 December.

Northern England

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Arriva Trains Northern Class 153 at Doncaster in 2003
First North Western Class 153 at Carlisle in 2004
Northern Rail Class 153 at Lancaster in 2015

The Northern Rail franchise started operations in December 2004. It inherited the fleets previously operated by Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) and First North Western (FNW), whose routes the new franchise incorporated. Northern Rail's successor Arriva Rail North at one point operated the largest fleet of Class 153 units.

Northern Rail inherited a fleet of eight units from FNW, which were used on local services around Manchester and Chester and on Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle and Preston to Ormskirk services. The fleet was repainted in the now obsolete North Western Trains blue and gold livery. Prior to becoming part of Northern Rail, four former FNW units were transferred to the Arriva Trains Wales franchise, since the lines operated by FNW in Wales were transferred to this new company.

A larger fleet of 12 units was inherited from ATN. They are used on various local services around Leeds, Doncaster and Sheffield. One regular job is the Cleethorpes to Barton-on-Humber services, which see a unit stabled at Cleethorpes overnight and Sunday. Other jobs are the Lincoln to Scunthorpe via Retford and Sheffield, and the Saturday-only Sheffield to Cleethorpes via Retford.

In December 2007, two units were taken off lease from Northern Rail and transferred to East Midlands Trains.

In the first half of 2018, five units were transferred from Great Western Railway on a temporary basis to boost capacity until the new Class 195 units entered service; three of these then moved to Abellio ScotRail in 2019, with the remainder following in 2020. On 1 March 2020, Arriva Rail North's Class 153 units transferred to new operator Northern Trains.

All Northern Trains Class 153s were sent to storage at Ely Potter Papworth Terminal by December 2021.

Preservation and further use

The stripped out bodyshell of unit 153374 has been donated to the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway, for static use as a community cafe, at Cynheidre.

2 Class 153s have been bought by Great Central Railway, primarily for use in training staff from East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry.

In 2024 Go-op Co-operative Ltd. received approval from the ORR to run services between Swindon, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare under an open-access agreement using refurbished Class 153 units.

Fleet details

Class Operator Qty. Unit numbers
153 ScotRail 5 153305, 153370, 153373, 153377, 153380
Network Rail 4 153311, 153376, 153379, 153385
Transport for Wales Rail 24 153303, 153312, 153318, 153320, 153323, 153325, 153327, 153329, 153333, 153353, 153361, 153362, 153367, 153369, 153382, 153906, 153909, 153910, 153913, 153914, 153921, 153922, 153926, 153935,
6 153507, 153528, 153531, 153552, 153568, 153572
Stored 14 153301, 153304, 153315, 153319, 153351, 153354–153357, 153375, 153378, 153381, 153383, 153384
Scrapped 12 153302, 153316, 153324, 153330, 153332, 153358-153360, 153363-153365, 153366
Non-railway use 2 153334, 153374
Preserved 1 153371
Non-passenger use 2 153308, 153317,
Side-profile illustration of a Transport for Wales Class 153 vehicle, with A-end cab facing left.

Named units

Some units have received names:

  • 153306 Edith Cavell
  • 153309 Gerard Fiennes
  • 153311 John Constable
  • 153314 Delia Smith
  • 153316 John "Longitude" Harrison inventor of the Marine Chronometer (Scrapped)
  • 153322 Benjamin Britten
  • 153326 Ted Ellis
  • 153329 The St. Ives Belle (denamed)
  • 153335 Michael Palin (denamed)
  • 153362 Dylan Thomas 1914-1953 (denamed)
  • 153369 The Looe Valley Explorer (denamed)
  • 153376 X24 Expeditious (denamed)
  • 153383 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway 150 Years

Models

When the units were first introduced, Hurst models produced a detailing kit to convert a Dapol model of a 155 into a 153.

The Class 153 has been produced in OO gauge by Hornby in Central Trains, First North Western, Abellio Greater Anglia, Northern Rail, Regional Railways, East Midlands Trains, London Midland City, Arriva Trains Wales, and Great Scenic Railways of Devon and Cornwall (Wessex Trains) liveries. These models have been praised for their detail.

Dapol announced a British N gauge model of the Class 153 in October 2008. The model debuted at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition in November 2009. In 2010, Dapol issued their model in St Ives Bay Line advertising livery.

Several 153s have also been produced for rail simulators. Making Tracks have a digital model available for the PC railway simulator Microsoft Train Simulator, whilst Just Trains has released the model for Railworks.

Notes

  1. In addition to accommodations for persons with reduced mobility, the PRM-TSI also mandates provisions for people with sensory impairments. It supplants the existing Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations.

References

  1. ^ Fox & Hughes 1994, pp. 31–32
  2. ^ Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars) (PDF). Derby: British Railways Board. 1982. DP248, DP249. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2022 – via Barrowmore MRG.
  3. ^ Marsden 2011, p. 115
  4. Clinnick, Richard (February 2023). "A grand plan for Scotland's railways". Rail Express. No. 321. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 76. ISSN 1362-234X.
  5. ^ Class 153 Diesel Multiple Unit (PDF) (1A ed.). Derby: Porterbrook Leasing Company. January 2014. pp. 17–18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  6. ^ Marine Engine General Data Sheet N/NT/NTA 855-M (PDF). Columbus, Indiana: Cummins Engine Company. 18 February 2002. p. 1. DS-4962. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  7. "Our Fleets - Regional Passenger Trains - Class 153". London: Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  8. Barclay, Kenny (November 2017). British Rail in the 1980s and 1990s: Diesel Locomotives and DMUs. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-7005-8.
  9. Thomson, Gordon (July 2016). Railways of Ayrshire. Marlborough: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-7850-0148-2.
  10. "Bus builder hands over DMU". Railway Gazette International. No. 6/1987. p. 353.
  11. ^ "Leyland's final rail vehicles". Today's Railways UK. No. 107. November 2010. pp. 44–51.
  12. "Market". Railway Gazette International. No. 2/1989. p. 73.
  13. "Regional Railways Class 155 fleet eliminated". The Railway Magazine. No. 1097. September 1992. p. 5.
  14. "Intelligence". Railway Gazette International. No. 9/1990. p. 660.
  15. ^ "First Class 153 on BR". The Railway Magazine. No. 1084. August 1991. p. 529.
  16. "Rural Railbus Launched". The Railway Magazine. No. 1085. September 1991. p. 611.
  17. Green-Hughes, Evan (February 2009). "Little wonders!". Hornby Magazine. No. 20. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 80–81. ISSN 1753-2469. OCLC 226087101.
  18. "One acquires 153s". Rail Magazine. No. 563. 11 April 2007. p. 67.
  19. ^ "Stock Update Track Record". The Railway Magazine. No. 1418. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. May 2019. p. 107.
  20. ^ "Extra Class 153s cover for late bi-modes in Wales". Rail Magazine. No. 890. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 23 October 2019. p. 30.
  21. "Protests over PRM-TSI Exemptions". Modern Railways. No. 857. Stamford: Key Publishing. February 2020. p. 28.
  22. "153s acquired". Modern Railways. No. 874. Stamford: Key Publishing. July 2021. p. 13.
  23. Holden, Emma (14 July 2022). "Transport for Wales celebrates completion of Class 153 refurbishment". RailAdvent. Leyland. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  24. Dalton, Alastair (15 June 2018). "Cycle coaches to be hitched to trains to ease bike crush". The Scotsman. Edinburgh: Johnston Publishing. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  25. Haigh, Phil (17 December 2018). "ScotRail bike train plans take shape". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  26. "Cycle carriages for Scotland's scenic railway". Glasgow: Abellio ScotRail. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  27. Clinnick, Richard (2 November 2020). "ScotRail picks up the pace on 'active travel' Class 153s". Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  28. "ScotRail Highland Explorer service launches". Rail Magazine. No. 936. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 28 July 2021. p. 24.
  29. White, Cameron (15 July 2021). "ScotRail Highland Explorer services open up stunning areas of Scotland bringing a welcome economic boost for local communities". Leyland: RailAdvent. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  30. "153s for NR infrastructure fleet". Modern Railways. No. 873 (June 2021). Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 85.
  31. ^ "Class 153". Units. Rail Express. No. 302. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. July 2021. p. 28.
  32. "25 Years of ROSCOs". Rail Express. No. 281 (October 2019). Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. pp. 19, 21.
  33. "Newly refurbished Class 156 train re-enters service". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017.
  34. "Stadler and Bombardier to supply trains for Abellio East Anglia franchise". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017.
  35. "Stourbridge railcar receives its passenger licence". London Midland. Newcastle upon Tyne: Govia. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  36. "Railcar No. 139 001 Enters Passenger Service". PPM Latest News. Cradley Heath: Parry People Movers. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  37. "Saying goodbye to our Class 153s". London: West Midlands Trains. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  38. "153s for EMT". Rail Magazine. No. 583. 16 January 2008. p. 69.
  39. "EMT shows off first fully refurbished Class 153 unit" (PDF). Railway Herald. No. 241. Scunthorpe. 4 October 2010. p. 3. ISSN 1751-8091. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  40. "EMR introduce Class 156 fleet and own traincrew on Barton-on-Humber route". London: Abellio East Midlands. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  41. Holden, Michael (13 December 2021). "East Midlands Railway introduces Class 156 trains on Barton-on-Humber route". RailAdvent. Leyland. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  42. "Northern and East Midlands Railway Class 153 fleets stood down". Rail Express. No. 309. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. February 2022. p. 26.
  43. "Project to create a Community Cafe and hub at Cynheidre". llanellirailway. 6 January 2023.
  44. "The Great Central Railway Journal Newsletter". 11 December 2023.
  45. "Railway Gazette". 19 November 2024.
  46. "TFW "active travel" 153s to be 153/5s". Today's Railways UK. No. 262. December 2023. p. 57.
  47. "Northern begins '153' withdrawal". Rail Magazine. No. 929. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. p. 28.
  48. Butlin, Ashley (August 2021). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. No. 1445. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 105.
  49. Butlin, Ashley (May 2022). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. No. 1454. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 85.
  50. Butlin, Ashley. "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. No. October 2023. p. 83.
  51. Butlin, Ashley (January 2024). "Multiplie Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1474. p. 81.
  52. "Two more 153s for scrap". Today's Railways UK. No. 264. February 2024. p. 59.
  53. "Class 153s scrapped". Fleet Review. Railways Illustrated. No. 253. March 2024. p. 20.
  54. Russell, David (December 2024). "Depot Talk". Units. Rail Express. No. 343. p. 24.
  55. "Class 153 bought by aggregates firm to be repurposed as a reception unit". Network News. Rail Magazine. No. 1013. 10 July 2024. p. 19.
  56. Russell, David (February 2024). "Great Central Railway acquires two Class 153s, but not for preservation". Preservation. Rail Express. No. 333. p. 28.
  57. Russell, David (May 2024). "Multiple Unit Devlopments". Preservation. Rail Express. No. 336. p. 35.
  58. "GCR offers new lease of life to Class 153s". Today's Railways UK. No. 264. February 2024. p. 68.
  59. Russell, David (November 2023). "Class 153 developments". Units. Rail Express. No. 330. p. 21.
  60. ^ "Technical Driving and Cabs". Modern Locomotives Illustrated. No. 211. Stamford: Key Publishing. February 2015. pp. 54–63.
  61. "Stock Changes". Today's Railways UK. No. 261. November 2023. p. 60.
  62. "Shed Talk". Rail Express. No. 303. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. August 2021. p. 32.
  63. "Class 153 named". Railways Illustrated. No. 173. Stamford: Key Publishing. July 2017. p. 9.
  64. "DKU103 Pair of Class 153 Conversion Kits". Hurst Models. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  65. "Hornby BR Class 153". Hornby Railways Collector Guide. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  66. Wild, Mike (January 2010). "Dapol's Class 153 arrives". Hornby Magazine. No. 31. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 72–73. ISSN 1753-2469. OCLC 226087101.
  67. "Class 153 released". Dapol. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  68. Wild, Mike (March 2010). "Advertising livery for 'N' Class 153". Hornby Magazine. No. 33. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 80. ISSN 1753-2469. OCLC 226087101.
  69. "BMUC 6 - Leyland Class 153/Class 155 Stock Pack". Making Tracks. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.

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