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| == Description == | == Description == | ||
| These units were all built as two-car sets, numbered 156401-514. Each unit was formed of two driving motors, one of which contained a toilet. Individual carriages numbered as follows: | These units were all built as two-car sets, numbered 156401-514. Each unit was formed of two driving motors, one of which contained a toilet.<ref name="Railway Data File">{{cite book |last= |first= |title=The Railway Data File |origyear=1999 |page=82 |isbn=9781856054997}}</ref> Individual carriages numbered as follows: | ||
| *52401-52514 - Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL) | *52401-52514 - Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL) | ||
| *57401-57514 - Driving Motor Standard (DMS) | *57401-57514 - Driving Motor Standard (DMS) | ||
| The vehicles are powered by 6-cylinder ] NT855-R5 diesel engines through ] T211r ] automatic transmissions and ] final drive units.<ref |
The vehicles are powered by 6-cylinder ] NT855-R5 diesel engines through ] T211r ] automatic transmissions and ] final drive units.<ref name="Railway Data File" /> They have a top speed of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, although in practice speeds of up to {{convert|90|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} have been observed on level track,{{Fact|date=September 2009}} though not in regular service. | ||
| Unlike the ] units, the 156s have a single leaf sliding door at either end of each coach - this feature reflected the anticipated longer journeys with fewer stops that the Class 156 was supposed to operate. | Unlike the ] units, the 156s have a single leaf sliding door at either end of each coach - this feature reflected the anticipated longer journeys with fewer stops that the Class 156 was supposed to operate. | ||
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| == Operations == | == Operations == | ||
| {{Recentism|sect|date=March 2009}} | |||
| After privatisation, the Class 156 fleet was split between several franchises, which are described below. | After privatisation, the Class 156 fleet was split between several franchises, which are described below. | ||
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| Their initial introduction was controversial as they replaced locomotive hauled stock (particularly ] hauled) on longer routes. Various issues such as limited toilet facilities were cited as criticisms,{{Fact|date=February 2009}} but they proved to have much lower operating costs. It is reported they are the worst fleet in Scotland getting wheel lathe duties as a result of flats.{{Fact|date=February 2009}} | Their initial introduction was controversial as they replaced locomotive hauled stock (particularly ] hauled) on longer routes. Various issues such as limited toilet facilities were cited as criticisms,{{Fact|date=February 2009}} but they proved to have much lower operating costs. It is reported they are the worst fleet in Scotland getting wheel lathe duties as a result of flats.{{Fact|date=February 2009}} | ||
| At privatisation the Scottish fleet passed to the ]-owned ] franchise, which used them until 2004 when the franchise was won by ].], as the franchise currently trades, operates the largest fleet of Class 156 units. They operate on both short distance commuter routes and services of up to five and a half hours, such as ] to ] and ].<ref>http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Class+156</ref> | At privatisation the Scottish fleet passed to the ]-owned ] franchise, which used them until 2004 when the franchise was won by ]. ], as the franchise currently trades, operates the largest fleet of Class 156 units. They operate on both short distance commuter routes and services of up to five and a half hours, such as ] to ] and ].<ref></ref> | ||
| They currently operate on many core routes including: | They currently operate on many core routes including: | ||
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| Class 156s also operate trains from {{stnlnk|Glasgow Queen Street}} to ], ], ] and ],{{When|date=February 2009}} as well as ] to ], ], ] and ] only on Sundays. | Class 156s also operate trains from {{stnlnk|Glasgow Queen Street}} to ], ], ] and ],{{When|date=February 2009}} as well as ] to ], ], ] and ] only on Sundays. | ||
| In September 2008 the ]'s agency ] announced that all ''ScotRail'' trains (including those of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) would be repainted in a new livery of blue with white ] markings on the carriage ends. 156433 was the first train to be repainted in this livery and departed RailCare Springburn on 11 February 2009.<ref></ref> As of December 2009, fifteen units have been repainted.<ref>http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Class+156+Relivery+09-10</ref> | In September 2008 the ]'s agency ] announced that all ''ScotRail'' trains (including those of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) would be repainted in a new livery of blue with white ] markings on the carriage ends. 156433 was the first train to be repainted in this livery and departed RailCare Springburn on 11 February 2009.<ref></ref> As of December 2009, fifteen units have been repainted.<ref></ref> | ||
| === East Anglia === | === East Anglia === | ||
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| === Northern England === | === Northern England === | ||
| ] on 1 April 2005. This unit carries the first version of ] livery.]] | ] on 1 April 2005. This unit carries the first version of ] livery.]] | ||
| Following privatisation both ] and ] (the successor to ]) operated Class 156s on their respective routes |
Following privatisation both ] and ] (the successor to ]) operated Class 156s on their respective routes. The majority of these workings were inherited by ] along with their 156s at the change of franchise. The vehicles inherited from the different companies have different interiors. | ||
| Six former Arriva Trains Northern Class 156 units were transferred to the North West by ] to replace some overcrowded ] ] units in the ] area after more than 20 extra Class 158s had been introduced in Yorkshire. | Six former Arriva Trains Northern Class 156 units were transferred to the North West by ] to replace some overcrowded ] ] units in the ] area after more than 20 extra Class 158s had been introduced in Yorkshire. | ||
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| ] had a fleet of eleven units inherited from ]. Central Trains repainted this fleet to its own green and yellow livery; these units were used on faster long-distance trains such as Birmingham to Nottingham via Derby or Leicester, Birmingham to Hereford, Birmingham to Shrewsbury and Nottingham to Skegness or Lincoln. | ] had a fleet of eleven units inherited from ]. Central Trains repainted this fleet to its own green and yellow livery; these units were used on faster long-distance trains such as Birmingham to Nottingham via Derby or Leicester, Birmingham to Hereford, Birmingham to Shrewsbury and Nottingham to Skegness or Lincoln. | ||
| ⚫ | In early 2005, a number of Central Trains Class 156 units were transferred to ] Anglia, in exchange for ] units. The remaining units were transferred to ] after the Central franchise ended. They are used on slower medium-distance services such as ] to ], ]/] to ],] to ] via Lincoln Central, Nottingham to ], ] to ] or Nottingham to ]. | ||
| Some of Central Trains Class 156s were replaced with ] trains and the Class 156 units went to ].{{When|date=February 2009}} In early 2005, a number of Central Trains Class 156 units were transferred to ] Anglia, in exchange for ] units. | |||
| ⚫ | The remaining units were transferred to ] after the Central franchise ended. They are used on slower medium-distance services such as ] to ], ]/] to ],] to ] via Lincoln Central, Nottingham to ], ] to ] or Nottingham to ]. | ||
| === Operations outside the United Kingdom === | === Operations outside the United Kingdom === | ||
| In the summer of 1989, in connection with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of ] (NS, the Dutch Railways), British Rail was invited to send a representative example of their most modern train to be exhibited at ] for two weeks in the summer. Class 156 unit number 156502 from Glasgow was finally selected |
In the summer of 1989, in connection with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of ] (NS, the Dutch Railways), British Rail was invited to send a representative example of their most modern train to be exhibited at ] for two weeks in the summer. Class 156 unit number 156502 from Glasgow was finally selected; it was unusual as it carried Strathclyde Passenger Executive (SPE) orange and black livery. On 16 June 1989, the unit was driven under its own power from the ] by a Derby train crew all the way to the ]. In those far off days the ] was just a dream so the ] train ferry was utilised to cross from ] to ] from where the unit was driven through ] and ] to the Dutch border at ] and on to Utrecht with help from SNCF, ] and NS train crews. The unit was exhibited along with various items of rolling stock from across ] for around two weeks after which it returned to the UK. | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 19:26, 29 December 2009
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| British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter | |
|---|---|
 A National Express East Anglia Class 156 No. 156419 at Sudbury | |
 The interior of a refreshed National Express East Anglia Class 156 | |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 23m |
| Coupling system | BSI |
The British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple unit (DMU). A hundred and fourteen of these units were built from 1987-89 by Metro-Cammell (now owned by Alstom) at their Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham. They were built to replace elderly First Generation "Heritage" DMUs and locomotive-hauled passenger trains.
Description
These units were all built as two-car sets, numbered 156401-514. Each unit was formed of two driving motors, one of which contained a toilet. Individual carriages numbered as follows:
- 52401-52514 - Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)
- 57401-57514 - Driving Motor Standard (DMS)
The vehicles are powered by 6-cylinder Cummins NT855-R5 diesel engines through Voith T211r hydraulic automatic transmissions and Gmeinder final drive units. They have a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), although in practice speeds of up to 90 mph (140 km/h) have been observed on level track, though not in regular service.
Unlike the Class 150 units, the 156s have a single leaf sliding door at either end of each coach - this feature reflected the anticipated longer journeys with fewer stops that the Class 156 was supposed to operate. The first 100 units were all ordered by the Regional Railways sector of British Rail, and therefore carried Regional Railways livery. Twenty units, numbers 156401-419/422 based at Tyseley depot, were later repainted into Regional Railways Express livery.
The last fifteen units, numbers 156500-514 were ordered by Strathclyde PTE, and carried a distinctive orange black livery. This was later replaced by an attractive carmine and cream livery, reminiscent of the 1950s livery carried by Mk.1 coaching stock.
In the early 1990s, BR identified a need for single-carriage trains, and considered splitting 156 units into a new Class 152. However it was decided to convert Class 155 units into Class 153.
Operations
After privatisation, the Class 156 fleet was split between several franchises, which are described below.
Scotland
Their initial introduction was controversial as they replaced locomotive hauled stock (particularly Class 37 hauled) on longer routes. Various issues such as limited toilet facilities were cited as criticisms, but they proved to have much lower operating costs. It is reported they are the worst fleet in Scotland getting wheel lathe duties as a result of flats.
At privatisation the Scottish fleet passed to the National Express-owned ScotRail franchise, which used them until 2004 when the franchise was won by FirstGroup. First ScotRail, as the franchise currently trades, operates the largest fleet of Class 156 units. They operate on both short distance commuter routes and services of up to five and a half hours, such as Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig.
They currently operate on many core routes including:
- Glasgow South Western Line - Glasgow to Stranraer / Carlisle via Kilmarnock
- West Highland Line - Glasgow to Oban and Mallaig
- Shotts Line - Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Cambuslang, Bellshill and Shotts.
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Units nos. 156500-514, which are operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and are currently painted in carmine and cream livery are used on Glasgow local servicess (in reality any of the 48 First ScotRail units can be used regardless of livery]:
- Glasgow to Paisley Canal
- Glasgow to Whifflet
- Glasgow to Anniesland via Maryhill
- Glasgow to East Kilbride
- Motherwell to Cumbernauld
Additionally, these units in particular are often seen working through to Newcastle on two services per day (from Girvan and Stranraer) as these services are jointly operated by First ScotRail and Northern Rail.
Generally, both local and long distance workings are interchangeable; however, only Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) fitted units can operate the West Highland Line.
Class 156s also operate trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Stirling, Dunblane, Cumbernauld and Falkirk, as well as Edinburgh Waverley to West Calder, Perth, Kirkcaldy and Fife Circle only on Sundays.
In September 2008 the Scottish Government's agency Transport Scotland announced that all ScotRail trains (including those of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) would be repainted in a new livery of blue with white Saltire markings on the carriage ends. 156433 was the first train to be repainted in this livery and departed RailCare Springburn on 11 February 2009. As of December 2009, fifteen units have been repainted.
East Anglia
In early 2005, one started to receive several former Central Trains Class 156 units, which were exchanged for Class 150 units. The newer Class 156 units are more suitable for several of the longer-distance routes, and also provide extra passenger accommodation and compliment Class 153 units.
The units are used on the following local services:
- Bittern Line - Norwich-Cromer-Sheringham
- Wherry Lines - Norwich-Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft
- East Suffolk Line - Ipswich-Lowestoft/Felixstowe
- Sudbury Branch Line - Marks Tey-Sudbury
as well as the longer distance Norwich-Cambridge and Ipswich-Cambridge/Peterborough services.
National Express East Anglia currently have a fleet of nine 156s.
Northern England
Following privatisation both First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern (the successor to Northern Spirit) operated Class 156s on their respective routes. The majority of these workings were inherited by Northern Rail along with their 156s at the change of franchise. The vehicles inherited from the different companies have different interiors.
Six former Arriva Trains Northern Class 156 units were transferred to the North West by Merseyrail to replace some overcrowded Class 142 Pacer units in the Merseyside area after more than 20 extra Class 158s had been introduced in Yorkshire.
Northern Rail has so far introduced three new liveries. The first, carried by no. 156451, is mainly purple (mauve), but with white bands. The second livery, as carried by Nos. 156425/460/464 is the inverse of the first livery. The final livery, first applied to No. 156461, is similar to the second livery, but with the white replaced by blue.
Midlands
Central Trains had a fleet of eleven units inherited from Regional Railways. Central Trains repainted this fleet to its own green and yellow livery; these units were used on faster long-distance trains such as Birmingham to Nottingham via Derby or Leicester, Birmingham to Hereford, Birmingham to Shrewsbury and Nottingham to Skegness or Lincoln.
In early 2005, a number of Central Trains Class 156 units were transferred to 'one' Anglia, in exchange for Class 150 units. The remaining units were transferred to East Midlands Trains after the Central franchise ended. They are used on slower medium-distance services such as Derby to Crewe, Nottingham/Derby to Matlock,Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln Central, Nottingham to Skegness, Leicester to Lincoln or Nottingham to Worksop.
Operations outside the United Kingdom
In the summer of 1989, in connection with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS, the Dutch Railways), British Rail was invited to send a representative example of their most modern train to be exhibited at Utrecht for two weeks in the summer. Class 156 unit number 156502 from Glasgow was finally selected; it was unusual as it carried Strathclyde Passenger Executive (SPE) orange and black livery. On 16 June 1989, the unit was driven under its own power from the Railway Technical Centre by a Derby train crew all the way to the Netherlands. In those far off days the Channel Tunnel was just a dream so the SNCF train ferry was utilised to cross from Dover Western Docks to Dunkirk from where the unit was driven through France and Belgium to the Dutch border at Essen and on to Utrecht with help from SNCF, SNCB and NS train crews. The unit was exhibited along with various items of rolling stock from across Europe for around two weeks after which it returned to the UK.
External links
- Metro-Cammell class 156 Super-Sprinter - Information about current and past Class 156 operation, including technical details, liveries and accident reports.
- The story in pictures of 156502's visit to Holland
- British Photo Database - Class 156 Super-Sprinter
References
- "System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles". Rail Safety and Standards Board. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ The Railway Data File. p. 82. ISBN 9781856054997.
- scot-rail.co.uk >> Class 156
- transport scotland.co.uk - livery
- scot-rail.co.uk >> Class 156 Relivery
| British Rail Engineering Limited Mark 3 derived family | |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Electric | |
| Hydrogen | |
| Multi-mode | |
| British Rail diesel Sprinters | |
|---|---|
| 20 m | |
| 23 m (Super Sprinter) | |
| 23 m (Express Sprinter) | |
| Unbuilt | |
| Diesel and alternative fuel multiple units of Great Britain | |
|---|---|
| Pre-TOPS | |
| First generation | |
| Second generation | |
| Post-privatisation | |
| Diesel-electric | |
| Alternative fuel | |
| Bi-mode | |
| First generation (original TOPS) | |
| Diesel-electric (original TOPS) | |
| Southern Region designations | |
| Design families | |