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Description

The British Rail Class 153 "Super-Sprinter" is a diesel multiple unit. These single cars units were originally built as two-car Class 155 units by Leyland from 1987-88, but were converted by Hunslet-Barclay at Kilmarnock from 1991-92. In a tradition following on from the Class 121 and Class 122 units, these units are sometimes referred to as "Bubble-cars", and are also sometimes derogatorily referred to as "Dogboxes". The layout of the original non-cab ends was subtly different from the original cab end, so the ends are noticeably different, and the vehicle not symmetrical.

Units are numbered in the range 153301-335 and 153351-385. Individual cars are numbered 52301-335 and 57351-385 (originally 57301-335), with the last three digits corresponding to the unit number.

Current Operations

Upon privatisation of British Rail, the Class 153 fleet was divided amongst several different operators.

Anglia Railways / One Railway

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 Sudbury branch.

Anglia Railways named its Class 153 fleet after famous local figures:

• 153306 - Edith Cavell
• 153309 - Gerard Fiennes
• 153311 - John Constable
• 153314 - Delia Smith
• 153322 - Benjamin Britten
• 153326 - Ted Ellis
• 153335 - Michael Palin

In 2003, Anglia started to refurbish its fleet, and repaint them in Anglia Railways livery. However, only two (unit nos. 153322/35) were completed.

In 2004, Anglia became part of the One Railway franchise operated by the National Express Group.

Arriva Trains Northern

Arriva Trains Wales

Central Trains

First North Western

First North Western (FNW) originally inherited a fleet of 14 units, which it used on local services around Manchester, Chester and on Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle services. The fleet was repainted in the now obsolete North Western Trains blue and gold livery.

Six units have now been transferred to the new Arriva Trains Wales franchise, since the lines operated by FNW in Wales were transferred to this new company.

Wessex Trains

Wessex Trains inherited its fleet of 13 units from its predecessor, Wales and Borders. Units are operated on local services in Cornwall, Devon, and around Bristol. They are also used on Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth, Southampton and Worcester services. Units carry one of two distinctive liveries, which advertise the routes on which they work.

• Devon and Cornwall - local services in Cornwall and Devon (units 153302/308/374/377/380/382)
• Heart of Wessex - Bristol to Weymouth line (units 153305/318/355/368/370/372/373)

Recently, Wessex Trains have received a further two units transferred from Central Trains (unit nos. 153329/369) to allow it to lengthen some services.

Fleet Details