Single-car Class 153 fleet in focus David Russell
Provides a status round-up of the single-car units.
THE past year or so has seen many changes occur with the various Train Operating Company’s Class 153 fleets, largely connected with the introduction of other rolling stock and PRM (persons of reduced mobility) compliance issues.
To date, only 13 sets – all in use with Transport for Wales – have been modified to enable their continued use without any restrictions or dispensation. The Welsh operator also has a number of non-compliant units, including several recent additions to the fleet that have been brought in to provide cover owing to delays in the introduction of Class 769 ‘Flex’ units.
Nos. 153372/382 (which have become Nos. 153972/982) were being prepared for use at Cardiff Canton during January, having arrived from Ely Papworth in November. They had previously last seen use with East Midlands Railway during the first half of 2020.
Another two former EMR sets, Nos. 153318/374, ran from Ely Papworth to Landore on January 5, and then to
Cardiff Canton seven days later. While
No. 153318 is planned to join the Transport for Wales fleet (along with
No. 153368, which was taken from Ely to Cardiff Brickyard Sidings by road), No. 153374 is to be used as a parts donor.
EMR REDUCTION
Early January saw East Midlands
Railway reduce its Class 153 fleet further, another five sets going ‘off lease’ to leave a fleet of six, which have dispensation to operate until the end of May. Four can normally be found in service – two on the Barton-on-Humber branch in North Lincolnshire, and another pair strengthening Norwich to Liverpool services between Nottingham and Merseyside.
The other five sets used by EMR until the end of December 2020 (Nos. 153311/76/81/83/85) have been handed back to Porterbrook and placed in store at Nemesis Rail’s depot in Burton-upon-Trent. On January 8, they formed the 5Z53/12.00 Derby Etches
Park-Burton, where they join eight units stood down by West Midlands Railway during the latter half of 2020.
The table provides details of the current disposition of the Class 153 fleet. Units marked with an asterisk have dispensation to operate until May 31.
After then, unless specific authorisation is given, the only units permitted to be used will be those which have undergone PRM work for Transport for Wales and the five ScotRail sets being modified as cycle carrying/seated vehicles at Brodie Engineering’s workshops, Kilmarnock.
E