Class 150 Sprinter (BREL York Provincial Sector 2 & 3-car)

In the late 1970s British Rail was faced with a rather large problem. Much of the 1950-60s built first generation diesel multiple unit (DMU) fleet would reach the end of their operational lives in the 1980s. British Rail explored a number of different options for possible replacements including the Class 210 diesel electric multiple unit prototype which was regarded as an excellent train but too pricy [1]. In the end BR went for an update of the kind of mechanical transmission DMU form they were used to.

Northern 150 270 (operating for TfW) departing Wrexham General

The Class 150 Sprinter was designed to revitalise the DMU fleet and remains in service today mainly in the South West and North of England and Wales. The Class 150 had a rival in the Metro-Cammell built Class 151 [2] (and indeed made use of some work Metro-Cammell had already done on next generation DMUs) but following an extensive series of tests the 150 proved to be the more popular with BR (the fact the 151 was late didn't help matters), series production was given the go-ahead [3]. One of the 150 prototypes was fitted with the transmission from the 151 for tests, this was re-designated the Class 154 [4] though it has now been reverted to a standard 150.

Information
Number built:	276 (137 2 and 3-car sets)
Built:	1984-87
Builder:	BREL York
Engine:	Cummins NT855R4/5 diesel per vehicle
Power:	855 hp (639 kW) / 570 hp (426 kW)
Formations:	Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)+Motor Standard (MS)+ Driving Motor Standard (DMS) (150/0) DMSL+DMS (150/1 and /2)

The Class 150 was built in either two or three car sets, most 150s in service these days apart from the prototypes are two car though for a time some 150/1s were in three car formations [5].

The original 150/0 prototypes remain in service, the main difference with serial production 150s is that they have smaller fuel tanks and that they are three car sets. The initial series production version was the 150/1 with the 150/2 having front-end gangways. There was also for a time a small 150/9 sub-class in service with GWR which were hybrid 3-car sets with a driving car as the centre car. The Class 150 is currently in service with GWR, Transport for Wales and Northern.



An extra two-car set was built for British Rail as the Class 950 Track Recording Unit which apart from body modifications for various test equipment is mechanically the same as the rest of the Class 150 fleet.

Back when operating for London Midland, 150 109 at Bedford

Northern 150 218 at York

Northern 150 103 at York

Transport for Wales 150 240 at Wem

Northern 150 143 at Greenbank

[1] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Multiple Units - the second generation and DEMUs (Ian Allan, 1986) p. 54
[2] Colin J. Marsden (ed.), "BREL Class 150 Sprinter", Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 211 February-March 2015 (Classes 150-156 Second Generation DMUs), p. 4
[3] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013), p. 128
[4] Modern Locomotives Illustrated 211, p. 13
[5] Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide, p. 128