British Rail Class 155

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British Rail Class 155
Super Sprinter
Hull - Arriva 155343 arrived from Scarborough.JPG
Arriva Rail North Class 155 at Hull Paragon in 2019
155345 Internal.jpg
The interior of a Northern Rail Class 155
In service4th August 1987–present
Manufacturer Leyland Bus
Order no.
  • 31057 (DMSL vehicles)
  • 31058 (DMS vehicles) [1]
Built at Workington [2]
Family name Sprinter
Replaced BR First-Generation DMUs
Constructed1986–1987
Entered service1988 [2]
Refurbished2006–2007
Number built
Number in service7
Formation
  • 2 cars per unit:
  • DMSL-DMS [2]
Diagram
  • DMSL vehicles: DP248
  • DMS vehicles: DP249
Fleet numbers
  • First order:
  • 155301–155335
  • (all converted to Class 153)
  • Second order:
  • 155341–155347 [3]
Capacity160 seats [4] (80 per vehicle) [1]
Owners Porterbrook [5]
Operators
Depots Botanic Gardens TMD (Hull)
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length23.208 m (76 ft 1.7 in)
Width2.700 m (8 ft 10.3 in)
Height3.746 m (12 ft 3.5 in)
Doors
  • Single-leaf sliding plug
  • (2 per side per car) [3]
Wheelbase
  • Bogies: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Bogie centres: 16.0 m (52 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Weight
Prime mover(s) 2 × Cummins NT855-R5 [3] [1] (one per vehicle)
Engine type Inline-6 4-stroke turbo-diesel [7]
Displacement 14 L (855 cu in) per engine [7]
Power output430 kW (570 hp) total
Transmission Voith T 211 r (hydrokinetic) (one per vehicle) [3]
HVAC Warm air & hot-water radiators
UIC classification 2′B′+B′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: BREL P3-10
  • Unpowered: BREL BT38
Minimum turning radius 90 m (295 ft 3 in)
Braking system(s) Electro-pneumatic (tread)
Safety system(s)
Coupling system BSI
Multiple working Within class, plus Classes 14x, 15x, and 170 [3]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
As-built specifications sourced from [6] except where otherwise noted.

The British Rail Class 155 is a diesel multiple unit passenger train. These DMUs were built by Leyland Bus at Workington (incorporating some Leyland National bus components) between 1986 and 1987 as part of BR's replacement of its ageing first-generation diesel fleet. 42 units were originally built, of which only 7 remain; the other 35 units were converted to Class 153 railcars.

Contents

Background

By the beginning of the 1980s, British Rail (BR) operated a large fleet of first generation DMUs, which had been constructed in prior decades to various designs. [8] While formulating its long-term strategy for this sector of its operations, British Rail planners recognised that there would be considerable costs incurred by undertaking refurbishment programmes necessary for the continued use of these aging multiple units. Planners instead examined the prospects for the development and introduction of a new generation of DMUs to succeed the first generation. [9]

The initial specification was relatively ambitious, calling for a maximum speed of 90 mph (145 km/h), acceleration comparable to contemporary EMUs. [9] This specification led to the experimental British Rail Class 210 diesel-electric multiple unit. However, it was found to be expensive, and it was recognised that a production model assembled from proven components would possess greater reliability and lower maintenance costs; an availability rate of 85 percent was forecast. [9]

By 1983, experiences with the Class 210 had influenced BR planners to favour procuring a new generation of DMUs, but to also adopt a new specification that were somewhat less demanding than before. [9] Specifically, it was decided to drop the top speed from 90 mph to 75 mph, as testing had revealed the higher rate to deliver no perceivable improvement in journey times due to the typically short spacing of the stations the type was intended to serve. [9] The requests for compatibility with other rolling stock were eliminated, although auto-coupling and auto-connecting functionality was added. In addition to a good ride quality, the specification included a sound level of 90 dB when at full speed, an operational range of 1,000 miles, and an interval between major overhauls of five years or 350,000 miles. [9]

The bid submitted by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) was heavily based on its successful Class 455 EMU, sharing its body and the majority of its running gear, albeit equipped with two different power trains. [9]

The resulting Class 150 was viewed as unsatisfactory for more-upmarket services. Studies showed coaches could be stretched, providing more internal volume and thus enabling the somewhat cramped two-by-three seating arrangement of the Class 150 to be substituted with a more roomy two-by-two counterpart. These changes could be implemented without impacting much of the benefits of adopting the existing design. [9]

It was identified that this would result in a weight increase and thus a decreased power-to-weight ratio, but it was determined that the performance of the proposed DMU was only slightly lower, and it could achieve similar journey times across the intended cross-country routes as the Class 150. [9] It was also found that, while there was a slight increase in fuel consumption due to the changes, the envisioned DMU had lower fuel consumption than locomotive-hauled trains and lower maintenance costs. Accordingly, it was decided to proceed with developing a detailed specification and issuing it to industry. [9] Amongst the requirements listed in the issued specification was the explicit statement of the acceptability of the proven power trains of both the Class 150 and Class 151. [9]

Description

WYPTE Class 155 in original carmine and cream livery 155341 at Castleton East Junction.jpg
WYPTE Class 155 in original carmine and cream livery
Northern Rail Class 155 (rear) coupled with two Class 153s arranged in their original formation at Leeds railway station Northern Rail Class 153 and 155.JPG
Northern Rail Class 155 (rear) coupled with two Class 153s arranged in their original formation at Leeds railway station

Class 155 units are formed of two 23-metre-long (75 ft 6 in) vehicles, a stretch of 3 m (9 ft 10 in) per vehicle compared to Class 150 units. [9] Each vehicle is fitted with an underfloor-mounted Cummins NT855-R5 turbo-diesel engine, producing up to 213 kW (285 hp), driving both axles of the inside-end bogie via a Voith hydrokinetic transmission. [1]

The fleet was part of the "Super Sprinter" build, the other part of which was the Class 156 fleet - though only the latter carried the "Super Sprinter" branding. They were manufactured by British Leyland, who used similar construction techniques to those used on the more basic Pacer railbuses. The relatively lightweight body, which was mounted on a welded floor assembly, comprised a series of pre-formed panels that were fixed together via the extensive use of Avdel rivets. The body is lined with a somewhat large number of windows, which is said to make the coaches appear unusually long; despite considerations towards adopting sealed windows to reduce noise levels, the windows are openable for natural ventilation. [9] It has been observed that, as a byproduct of the vehicle's lightweight construction and length, certain coaches have exhibited a slight, but visible, sag.[ citation needed ]

Operations

The Class 155 was introduced to service at a rapid rate, despite the presence of some teething issues with the type. The units were the first BR DMUs to be furnished with sliding-plug automatic doors which closed to provide a smooth bodyside rather than sliding back into the bodyshell (the system used with 150s and 151s). During their early service, it was found that these doors often failed to work properly; there were reports of the doors opening while the trains were in motion.[ citation needed ] Consequently, the fleet was temporarily taken out of use and modified, while the 156s were assigned to perform their diagrams as an interim measure.[ citation needed ]

Following this modification work, the performance of the Class 155 improved substantially. An emerging requirement for replacement rural lines stock ultimately led to the decision to convert the majority of the Regional Railways' Class 155 fleet into a single car configuration, enabling these units to replace the elderly 121 and 122 "Bubblecar" units. Originally, it had been intended for these single-car units, which had been introduced roughly 30 years prior, to be withdrawn and entirely replaced by the incoming Pacer fleet; however, experience with the Pacers determined that they were unable to work the sharply-curving steeply-graded branchlines involved. Instead, the Pacers were moved to replace a number of Class 150s, the 150s took over certain 156 diagrams, and the 156s took on the 155 services which were not handed over to the new Class 158s. The 155s emerged from the workshops as single car Class 153s, and were put to work augmenting two car units and on the quiet Cornish, Welsh, North-Western, Norfolk and Lincolnshire branch lines. They did not operate North of the Scottish border before 2020. However, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive refused to allow the seven units which they owned to be converted, and these were merely modified to operate reliably in original form. The conversion to single car units was notable for not requiring any external doors to be moved, although this has led to the No.2 cab being unusually cramped, despite being extended into the vestibule area.[ citation needed ]

The previously mentioned seven remaining Class 155 units, which are numbered 155341 to 155347, were constructed in 1988 for West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (WYPTE) for their MetroTrain services, and have continued to serve in their original formation across multiple decades. The type is currently operated solely by Northern Trains. They were previously frequently seen on Manchester Victoria to Leeds services but, as of 2024, the Class 155s are allocated to Botanic Gardens TMD and mostly operate routes through Hull.[ citation needed ]

Fleet details

ClassOperatorNo. builtYear builtCars per unitUnit nos.
155Converted to Class 153 351987–19882155301–155335
Northern Trains 7155341–155347
Class 155 Arriva Northern Diagram.png
Illustration of a Class 155 unit in Arriva Rail North livery

Model railways

In 2000, Hornby Railways launched its first version of the Class 155 in OO gauge. [10]

Related Research Articles

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References

Notes

  1. ↑ Diagrams DP248 1B and DP249 1B additionally describe a Class 155/1 variant, in which the tare weights are 39.4 t (38.8 long tons; 43.4 short tons) for the DMSL vehicle and 38.6 t (38.0 long tons; 42.5 short tons) for the DMS vehicle. [6]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fox & Hughes 1994, pp. 32–33
  2. 1 2 3 Marsden 2011, p. 118
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Class 155". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005.
  4. ↑ Bevan Brittan LLC (26 March 2014). The Northern Interim Franchise Agreement (PDF). London: Department for Transport. M-10204941-1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Dunn, Pip (4 September 2024). "Sprinters: the privatisation years". Feature Rolling Stock. Rail Magazine . No. 1017. pp. 38–43.
  6. 1 2 Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars) (PDF). Derby: British Railways Board. 1982. DP248, DP249. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2016– via Barrowmore MRG.
  7. 1 2 Marine Engine General Data Sheet N/NT/NTA 855-M (PDF). Columbus, Indiana: Cummins Engine Company. 18 February 2002. p. 1. DS-4962. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  8. ↑ St John Thomas, David; Whitehouse, Patrick (1990). BR in the Eighties. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN   978-0-7153-9854-8. OL   11253354M. Wikidata   Q112224535.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Shore, A. G. L. (1987). "British Rail Diesel Multiple Unit Replacement Programme". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Transport Engineering. 201 (2): 115–122. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.1008.3291 . doi:10.1243/PIME_PROC_1987_201_165_02. ISSN   0265-1904. S2CID   109194039.
  10. ↑ "Hornby BR Class 155 Sprinter". Hornby Railways Collector Guide. Retrieved 2 February 2020.

Sources

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