Class 153 (British Leyland Provincial Sector 1-car)

Forty-two 2-car Class 155 DMUs were built in the late 1980s by British Leyland for cross-country routes but at the same time British Rail saw a need for a new generation of single "bubble" car DMUs to replace ageing first generation stock like the Class 121 [1] and conversions of some of the new 155s fitted the bill.

EMT 153 302 at Ambergate

Thirty-five of the Class 155s were hence converted to 70 single car DMUs by being split up and by adding a second cab to each car. Adding the extra cab was not a simple process due to the lack of available space as the existing door pocket could not be moved and the extra cab is rather compact [2].

Information
Number built:	70
Built:	1987-88 (as Class 155) Converted to single cars 1991-92
Builder:	British Leyland Conversions by Hunslet-Barclay
Engine:	Cummins NT855R5 diesel
Power:	285 hp (213 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)

The Class 153s (as they became) quickly proved themselves to be very flexible and versatile units able to run on lightly-loaded branch lines such as the Stourbridge Town branch and the line to Cardiff Bay. They also provide a capacity boost to other routes where needed as they are able to work in multiple with other members of the "Sprinter" DMU family.


They are in service with a number of Train Operating Companies including Transport for Wales, Scotrail, Northern, East Midlands Railway and West Midland Railway.

WMR 153 354 at Ridgmont

EMT 153 310 and friend at Attenborough

EMT 153 382 at Duffield

TfW 153 303 at Cardiff Bay

EMT 153 326 at Belper

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 134
[2] Colin J. Marsden (ed.), Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 211 February-March 2015 (Classes 150-156 Second Generation DMUs) p. 52