NETWORK RAIL TAKES ON CLASS 153 UNITS

THREE CLASS 153s are being leased by Network Rail for use in its infrastructure monitoring fleet. Porterbrook owns the single-car diesel multiple units, which had been in storage having been withdrawn by East Midlands Railway this year following the introduction of cascaded Class 156s and 170s.

NR will use the 153s to monitor switches and crossings as NR increases its plan to remove ‘boots from the tracks’.

Similar duties are also carried out by Multi-purpose Vehicles (MPVS). One of the three DMUS, 153311, has already been branded with NR’S logos and moved to Whitland on

July 23 to begin crew training. Colas Railfreight drivers will learn the DMUS, which had all been stored at Burton.

While 153311 is being used for training, 153376 and 153385 have moved to LORAM Derby for modifications before they enter traffic. This will be the first non-passenger use for the DMUS, and follows the introduction of the ‘Highland Explorer’ fleet with Scotrail where five Class 153s have been refurbished to carry bicycles on the West Highland Line.