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Sprinter (train)
Encyclopedia
The Sprinter
is a family of diesel multiple unit
train
s in use on the UK railway system. They were built in the 1980s and early 1990s by BREL
, Metro Cammell
and Leyland. Most are based around a Cummins
engine with Voith
hydraulic transmission, although some class 158s have a Perkins engine. Sprinters can be seen operating in almost every part of the UK, from rural branch lines to commuter expresses into major cities.
Originally British Rail coined the 'Sprinter' name for the units, mainly to expose the superior acceleration capabilities of the units compared with the First-Generation DMU trains they replaced. Ads such as 'The Sprinters are coming' were locally advertised in newspapers when these trains were scheduled to be introduced. Great play was also made of, in many cases, reduced journey times and on many lines timetables were changed to take advantage.
Class 150,153,155, and 156 units have no air-conditioning and a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s); Classes 158 and 159 have air conditioning and a top speed of 90 mph (40 m/s). All units except the first batch of Class 150s have outer-end gangways, allowing passengers to walk between trains working in multiple.
These were designed as commuter units and are fitted with 5 abreast seating and doors fitted at 1 and 2 thirds down the length of each car, unique amongst the Sprinter family. Early units also didn't feature any outer-end gangway, therefore in multiple-working with other Sprinter units, passengers cannot move about between trains. The 150/2s do feature end gangways, as well as two-by-two airline seating.
units.
These single-car 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. The class was built for lightly used lines, replacing first generation single coach units. The conversion involved building a new cab at the original inner ends of the vehicles. 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. The new cab is significantly smaller than the original Leyland cab and pushes back into the door area.
Currently operated by
These DMUs were built by British Leyland at Workington (using a body construction technology derived from the Leyland National bus) between 1987 and 1988. Very few units remain, most were converted into Class 153. They have a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s).
Currently operated by
The Class 156 units were built from 1987-89 by Metro-Cammell (now owned by Alstom) at their Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham. The vehicles are like the Class 155s 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. They have a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s).
Currently operated by
The Class 158 "Express Sprinter" units were built from 1989-92 by BREL at Derby Works
to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Compared with previous members of the Sprinter family, specifically the venerable Class 156 SuperSprinter, the Express Sprinter is a large step up. Fully air-conditioned (except the driver's cabs) with provision for a trolley refreshment service and an increased top speed of 90 mph (40 m/s), the Class 158 is much better suited to longer journeys with fewer stops and provides a much quieter and more comfortable environment than its contemporaries.
Currently operated by
and export version for State Railway of Thailand
's West of England
and from London Waterloo to Salisbury
, Yeovil
and Exeter
. They were used to replace Class 50
and Class 47
locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Units tend to operate in six or nine coach formations between Waterloo and Salisbury, in three or six coach formations between Salisbury and Exeter, and as single units west of Exeter.
Some surplus three coach Class 158 units were transferred to the West of England route in 2007 have been refurbished to Class 159 standards at and have been renumbered as Class 159/1
Currently operated by
The downside of the new units was the more restricted view through the windows. The Mk 3 bodyshell has a much higher window sill level than the first generation DMUs and moreover the alignment of the windows with the seating positions is poor, a problem common to much Mk 3 derived stock. The view is especially poor for passengers seated nearest to the doors, whose view is obscured by the pockets into which the doors slide when opened, or at the ends of the vehicle. Also unlike the first generation DMUs, the rear of the driver's cab was not glazed, so passengers in the front seats no longer had a view of the track ahead, which was regretted both by railfan
s and children.
have decided to replace their aging Class 150 fleet with Class 172 Turbostars from 2010.. This is good news for the passenger as most Sprinters lack air conditioning and have a top speed of only 75 mph. They can be noisy inside, as opening windows are needed for ventilation and there are no pressure doors at the end of each carriage, next to the external doors.. It is likely these trains will be 'cascaded' to other TOCs to replace ageing Pacers
.
Class 158 Sprinter Express trains have been augmented or replaced by Turbostar
and Coradia units, allowing these to be cascaded down to lesser services and replace older and less comfortable Sprinters. They still operate the 5 hour journey from Norwich to Liverpool replacing the Turbostar
units, which have been cascaded to London Midland under the new franchise that began in November 2007, and the 4 hour Birmingham International
to Holyhead
, replacing Class 175 Coradia units so that they can be used on longer distance routes between Holyhead, Llandudno, Manchester & Cardiff.
Sprinter
Sprinter can refer to:in sport:* a person who participates in Sprint running* a cycling sprinter* Open-wheeled Sprint car racingmotor vehicles:* the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter , a cargo van...
is a family of diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s in use on the UK railway system. They were built in the 1980s and early 1990s by BREL
BREL
British Rail Engineering Limited , was the railway systems engineering division of British Rail, until the design and building of trains in the UK was privatised in 1993. On 31 October 1969, the company was incorporated as British Rail Engineering Limited.-Main products:The vast majority of BREL's...
, Metro Cammell
Metro Cammell
The Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company was a Birmingham, England based manufacturer of railway carriages and wagons, based in Saltley and subsequently Washwood Heath....
and Leyland. Most are based around a Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
engine with Voith
Voith
The Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....
hydraulic transmission, although some class 158s have a Perkins engine. Sprinters can be seen operating in almost every part of the UK, from rural branch lines to commuter expresses into major cities.
Originally British Rail coined the 'Sprinter' name for the units, mainly to expose the superior acceleration capabilities of the units compared with the First-Generation DMU trains they replaced. Ads such as 'The Sprinters are coming' were locally advertised in newspapers when these trains were scheduled to be introduced. Great play was also made of, in many cases, reduced journey times and on many lines timetables were changed to take advantage.
Prototypes
Two companies, Metro-Cammell and BREL built three coach prototypes for the first batch of Sprinters.| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Built | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 150/0 British Rail Class 150 The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 121 | 2 | 1984 | One of these BREL prototypes was very similar to production Class 150 units, with a Cummins engine and Voith gearbox. The other was fitted a Rolls-Royce engine and Self Changing Gear (SCG). The latter unit would suffer various problems with both of these components, but would later become the only Class 154 and was used as a Class 158 testbed. |
| Class 151 British Rail Class 151 The British Rail Class 151 was a prototype class of DMU built by Metro Cammell in the mid-1980s.Only two 3-car units were built and they were introduced into service in the spring and summer of 1985. The vehicles were aluminum bodied and each one was equipped with Cummins NT855 diesel engines with... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 121 | 2 | 1985 | Built by Metro-Cammell, these featured the same Cummins engine as the Class 150. They had aluminium body shells and hot-shift twin disc gearboxes. They suffered from a jerky, violent gearshift, which was never fully rectified. BREL's Class 150 design won the contract from British Rail, and the Class 151 never entered production. |
| Class 154 | |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
90 | 145 | 1 | 1985 | A class of a single unit, this train had been converted from a Class 150 prototype, fitted with a different engine and gearbox to production Class 150s. It became a Class 158 testbed; its problematic gearbox was replaced with an improved version of the Class 151 twin-disc hot shift transmission, which was finally providing smooth gear-changes, and air conditioning was fitted. Converted back to a standard Class 150. |
Production units
The production units were all built as two coach units, with the exception of 17 Class 158s and the 22 Class 159 units, which were built with an additional centre car. The Class 153 railcars were converted from the two coach Class 155.Class 150,153,155, and 156 units have no air-conditioning and a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s); Classes 158 and 159 have air conditioning and a top speed of 90 mph (40 m/s). All units except the first batch of Class 150s have outer-end gangways, allowing passengers to walk between trains working in multiple.
Class 150 Sprinter
These were designed as commuter units and are fitted with 5 abreast seating and doors fitted at 1 and 2 thirds down the length of each car, unique amongst the Sprinter family. Early units also didn't feature any outer-end gangway, therefore in multiple-working with other Sprinter units, passengers cannot move about between trains. The 150/2s do feature end gangways, as well as two-by-two airline seating.
150/2
Currently operated by- Arriva Trains Wales
- First Great Western
- London Midland
- Northern
Class 950
In addition to the standard Class 150 units, a single two car DMU was constructed using the same bodyshell for use as a track assessment unit on stretches of line where heavier stock cannot be safely used. This unit was initially classified as Class 180, but was reclassified in the departmental series as Class 950 upon the entry into service of the Class 180 AdelanteBritish Rail Class 180
The Class 180 is a type of British diesel multiple unit train built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 for use on then-new express services by First Great Western . They were built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham and are part of the Coradia 1000 family along with the Class 175. FGW stopped using the...
units.
Class 153 Super Sprinter
These single-car units were originally built as two-car Class 155 units by Leyland from 1987–88, but were converted by Hunslet-Barclay at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
from 1991-92. The class was built for lightly used lines, replacing first generation single coach units. The conversion involved building a new cab at the original inner ends of the vehicles. 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. The new cab is significantly smaller than the original Leyland cab and pushes back into the door area.
Currently operated by
- Arriva Trains Wales
- East Midlands Trains
- First Great Western
- London Midland
- Northern
- National Express East Anglia
Class 155 Super Sprinter
These DMUs were built by British Leyland at Workington (using a body construction technology derived from the Leyland National bus) between 1987 and 1988. Very few units remain, most were converted into Class 153. They have a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s).
Currently operated by
- Northern
Class 156 Super Sprinter
The Class 156 units were built from 1987-89 by Metro-Cammell (now owned by Alstom) at their Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham. The vehicles are like the Class 155s 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. They have a top speed of 75 mph (34 m/s).
Currently operated by
- East Midlands Trains
- First ScotRail
- Northern
- National Express East Anglia
Class 158 Express Sprinter
The Class 158 "Express Sprinter" units were built from 1989-92 by BREL at Derby Works
Derby Works
The Midland Railway Locomotive Works, known locally as "the loco" comprised a number of British manufacturing facilities in Derby building locomotives and, initially, rolling stock in Derby, UK.-Early days:...
to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Compared with previous members of the Sprinter family, specifically the venerable Class 156 SuperSprinter, the Express Sprinter is a large step up. Fully air-conditioned (except the driver's cabs) with provision for a trolley refreshment service and an increased top speed of 90 mph (40 m/s), the Class 158 is much better suited to longer journeys with fewer stops and provides a much quieter and more comfortable environment than its contemporaries.
Currently operated by
- Arriva Trains Wales
- East Midlands Trains
- First Great Western
- First ScotRail
- Northern
- South West Trains
and export version for State Railway of Thailand
State Railway of Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand is the state-owned rail operator in Thailand. The network sees around 50 million passengers per annum.-History:SRT was founded as the Royal State Railways of Siam in 1890...
Class 159 South Western Turbo
Originally built as 3 car class 158s, but converted before entry in to service. Twenty-two 3-car units were built for Network SouthEastNetwork SouthEast
Network SouthEast was one of three passenger sectors of British Rail created in 1982. NSE principally operated commuter trains in the London area and inter-urban services in densely populated South East England, although the network reached as far west as Exeter...
's West of England
West of England Main Line
The West of England Main Line is a British railway line that runs from , Hampshire to Exeter St Davids in Devon, England. Passenger services run between London Waterloo station and Exeter...
and from London Waterloo to Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
, Yeovil
Yeovil
Yeovil is a town and civil parish in south Somerset, England. The parish had a population of 27,949 at the 2001 census, although the wider urban area had a population of 42,140...
and Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
. They were used to replace Class 50
British Rail Class 50
The British Rail Class 50 is a diesel locomotive built from 1967-68 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry Works in Newton-le-Willows. Fifty of these locomotives were built to haul express passenger trains on the, then non-electrified, section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe,...
and Class 47
British Rail Class 47
The British Rail Class 47, is a class of British railway diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. A total of 512 Class 47s were built at Crewe Works and Brush's Falcon Works, Loughborough between 1962 and 1968, which made them the most numerous class of British...
locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Units tend to operate in six or nine coach formations between Waterloo and Salisbury, in three or six coach formations between Salisbury and Exeter, and as single units west of Exeter.
Some surplus three coach Class 158 units were transferred to the West of England route in 2007 have been refurbished to Class 159 standards at and have been renumbered as Class 159/1
Currently operated by
- South West Trains
Reception
On many lines, the new units were warmly welcomed. It is important to remember that while the first generation DMU trains had given many years of service, in very many cases, they suffered from lack of and/or poor maintenance, with sometimes filthy and worn interiors, and leaking exhaust systems. Ignoring arguments over comfort and style, the mere fact that the trains were clean and new was enough to make them welcome countrywide.The downside of the new units was the more restricted view through the windows. The Mk 3 bodyshell has a much higher window sill level than the first generation DMUs and moreover the alignment of the windows with the seating positions is poor, a problem common to much Mk 3 derived stock. The view is especially poor for passengers seated nearest to the doors, whose view is obscured by the pockets into which the doors slide when opened, or at the ends of the vehicle. Also unlike the first generation DMUs, the rear of the driver's cab was not glazed, so passengers in the front seats no longer had a view of the track ahead, which was regretted both by railfan
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
s and children.
Replacement
As many sprinters are now 20 years old, TOCs are beginning to replace them. For example, London MidlandLondon Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
have decided to replace their aging Class 150 fleet with Class 172 Turbostars from 2010.. This is good news for the passenger as most Sprinters lack air conditioning and have a top speed of only 75 mph. They can be noisy inside, as opening windows are needed for ventilation and there are no pressure doors at the end of each carriage, next to the external doors.. It is likely these trains will be 'cascaded' to other TOCs to replace ageing Pacers
Pacer (train)
Pacer is the operational name of the British Rail Classes 140, 141, 142, 143 and 144 diesel multiple unit railbuses, built between 1984 and 1987...
.
Class 158 Sprinter Express trains have been augmented or replaced by Turbostar
Turbostar
Turbostar is the name given to a family of diesel multiple units built by Bombardier Transportation at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England...
and Coradia units, allowing these to be cascaded down to lesser services and replace older and less comfortable Sprinters. They still operate the 5 hour journey from Norwich to Liverpool replacing the Turbostar
Turbostar
Turbostar is the name given to a family of diesel multiple units built by Bombardier Transportation at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England...
units, which have been cascaded to London Midland under the new franchise that began in November 2007, and the 4 hour Birmingham International
Birmingham International railway station
Birmingham International railway station is located in the borough of Solihull, just east of the city of Birmingham in England.The station is on the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line 14 km east of Birmingham New Street and serves both Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition...
to Holyhead
Holyhead railway station
Holyhead railway station serves the town of Holyhead on Holy Island, Anglesey. It is the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line and is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, although Virgin Trains also serves it....
, replacing Class 175 Coradia units so that they can be used on longer distance routes between Holyhead, Llandudno, Manchester & Cardiff.