West Midlands Trains ends use of Class 153s

Eight single-car Class 153s have been sent off-lease by West Midlands Trains.

Two are set to transfer to Transport for Wales, while the other six are destined for storage at Nemesis Rail’s Burton-on-Trent depot.

None of the eight single-car diesel multiple units fully comply with accessibility regulations that came into force on January 1. They had received Government dispensation to remain in traffic until December 31 this year.

WMT released 153334/354/356/ 364-366/371/375 at the end of October.

Their duties have slowly been replaced by Class 230 D-Trains running on the Marston Vale Line between Bedford and Bletchley, while reduced passenger numbers means they are not needed to boost capacity on other routes, paired with Class 170s.

It’s understood that TfW will be leasing 153371/375 from owner

Porterbrook. The remaining six diesel multiple units are interesting operators, but no deals have been agreed.

Transport for Wales already has dispensation for eight Porterbrook Class 153s (153320/323/325/329/ 333/361/367/369) to remain in traffic beyond the end of this year, despite their not meeting accessibility standards.

Some of these have since been refurbished since the dispensation was granted.