British Rail Class 158
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| British Rail Class 158 "Express Sprinter" | |
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 158793 at York railway station in most recent Northern Rail livery |
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| In service | 1989 - present |
| Manufacturer | BREL |
| Family name | Sprinter |
| Number built | 1989 - 1992 |
| Formation | 2/3 cars per trainset |
| Operator | Arriva Trains Wales East Midlands Trains First Great Western First ScotRail Northern Rail South West Trains |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 22.5 metres |
| Width | 2.7 metres |
| Maximum speed | 90mph (145 kph) |
| Weight | 37.8 tonnes |
| Traction system | Voith Hydraulic |
| Engine | Cummins 350hp or 400hp Perkins 350hp |
| Gauge | 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Safety systems | AWS, TPWS |
A British Rail Class 158 "Express Sprinter" is a diesel multiple unit, built from 1989-92 by BREL at Derby Works. They were built to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Class 159 units are almost identical to 158s having been converted from 158 to 159 in two batches.
BREL also built similar units for Thai State Railways,[1] which featured metre-gauge bogies and different outer-end gangways.
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[edit] Description
[edit] Variants
A total of 182 units were built, numbered 158701-872 and 158901-910. The majority of units were built as two-car sets, with individual carriages numbered 52701-872/901-910 and 57701-872/901-910. Seventeen units (nos. 158798-814) were built as three-car units, with the centre carriages numbered 58701-717. (Eight of these units have since had the centre car removed, while another eight have been upgraded to be 159s.) The final ten units (nos. 158901-910) were built specifically for the West Yorkshire PTE-sponsored services around Leeds.
There were three varieties of unit when built. The standard batch, two and three car units from 158701 to 158814 and 158901 to 158910 had 350 hp Cummins engines. The next batch, 158815 to 158862 were built as non-standard to enable 350 hp Perkins engines to be fitted to maintain Perkin's interest in train manufacture. The final batch, 158863 to 158872, were given higher power Cummins engines of 400 hp as it was originally intended that these units work the steeply graded Newport to Shrewsbury Welsh Marches Line. Another 22 of these high power units were built, and became 3 car Class 159. Nowadays, however, the units have become mixed up as franchises changed and higher and lower power units can be seen working the same diagrams.
The Class 158 is not based on the Mark 4 bodyshell design, although the latter was developed at roughly the same time. The similar sloping sides of the coaches may have given rise to this mistaken notion.
The Class 158 bears a passing external resemblance to the 2700 Class DMU operated by Iarnród Éireann. However, this is coincidental, as the two types were built almost a decade apart by different manufacturers.
[edit] Technical problems
When first introduced, the Class 158s, being lighter than other similar units, had traction problems on steeply graded routes, particularly during the autumn, giving rise to some of the infamous "leaves on the line" media stories. For this reason two car units were formed using one car from a class 158 and another from a Class 156 Sprinter unit. [1] They were also the first member of the Sprinter family to utilise disc brakes, which have been known to experience problems in freezing conditions. As such when icing or snow conditions appear the driver is required to apply the brakes fully every few minutes.
These problems aside, the 158s have generally proved to be reliable, although Perkins engined units have a reputation for being somewhat more troublesome than their Cummins counterparts.
Many units have non-functional air-conditioning. This is because the air-con units were designed to be filled with CFC gases which are now illegal, owing to the environmental impact they have. Most have not had their air conditioning upgraded and, with no cooling available other than the 4 opening hopper windows in the centre of each carriage, this leads to uncomfortable journeys on hot days.
[edit] Comfort and performance
Compared with previous members of the Sprinter family, specifically the venerable Class 156 Super Sprinter, the Express Sprinter is a large step up. Provision for a buffet service and an increased top speed of 90 mph, 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.
The youngest of the units are now over 15 years old and those which have not been refitted have tired looking interiors with seat moquette worn threadbare and carpets damaged and dirty. The First Scotrail refurbished units are a large step up and provide a much brighter more spacious environment for passengers. New seats a new first class area and extra luggage space are ideal for the long journeys they mostly operate in the North. The driver's cab has also received some improvements. On the exterior the First Scotrail units have had new LED headlights fitted and a new yellow line above the first class area at one end of the train.
[edit] Current operations
After privatisation of Britain's railways, the Class 158 fleet was divided amongst several franchises, all of which are detailed below.
There is currently an ongoing fleet shuffle with many units being swapped between operators.
[edit] Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales originally operated a large fleet of units inherited from Wales and Borders Trains (nos. 158815-854) on the Cambrian Line and long-distance services such as Cardiff to Manchester, Cardiff to Penzance and Cardiff to London Waterloo.
By the end of 2006, units 158842-158854 had returned to the leasing company as Arriva gained exclusive use of the Class 175 fleet formerly shared with First North Western and Transpennine Express.
The units making up the current Arriva fleet were refurbished while in use by Wales and West prior to 2001 and repainted in new blue and silver livery at Doncaster works. Arriva have now reduced their fleet to 24 units, repainted some units in their own turquoise livery and installed CCTV inside carriages.
Arriva 158s are now based at Machynlleth depot and operate all Cambrian Line services, as well as supplementing the Class 175s on other long-distance routes such as Cardiff to West Wales, Manchester and Holyhead.
[edit] East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains has a fleet of 26 units inherited from Central Trains when the Central Trains franchise was ended and split with some other trains transferred from First Great Western and South West Trains. East Midlands Trains uses its Class 158 on many journeys ranging from long to short distance.
These are:
- Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich via Nottingham
- Leicester to Lincoln Central via Nottingham
- Derby to Matlock
- Derby to Crewe via Stoke-on-trent
- Nottingham to Mansfield Woodhouse/Worksop
Selected services on some of the above routes used to be operated by Class 170 Turbostars when operated by Central Trains. However, the 170s that were used by Central Trains were spilt between London Midland and CrossCountry in November 2007. This was not a popular decision, especially with users of the Liverpool to Norwich route. The refurbishment of the fleet will begin early summer and the fleet will be upgraded to the same standard as the South West Trains Class 159
[edit] First Great Western
First Great Western inherited the Wessex Trains fleet following the merger of the Great Western and Wessex francises. Some of the fleet have recently been refurbished at Doncaster Works, and was repainted into Wessex Trains's silver and maroon Alphaline livery. The fleet is used on the long-distance Cardiff to Portsmouth/Brighton, Bristol to Penzance, and Bristol to Worcester/Great Malvern services.
In late 2004, Wessex Trains received further units from Central Trains and received some former Transpennine Express units in summer 2006. First Great Western were the first company to receive former Transpennine Express units, despite it looking like negotiations with the DfT for the 158s had failed. These included 158766-158769, 158776 and 158778, and three-car 158798, the only permenant 3-car in the First Great Western fleet.
FGW have recently reformed some of their 158's into hybrid 3-car 158 in the 15895x series. Currently 158950-158957 have been formed and are operating in traffic.
As of Early May 2008 over half of the First Great Western Class 158 fleet has been refurbished and reliveried in to First 'Local Lines' livery, an adaptation of the 'Dynamic Lines' livery comprising of names of local places and attractions forming the lines.
[edit] First ScotRail
ScotRail inherited the largest number of sets, originally having a fleet of 46 units from new in 1989. These were employed on Glasgow to Edinburgh services, as well as services to Aberdeen and Inverness. From 1998 onwards, units were reliveried in ScotRail Railways livery.
When ScotRail leased new Class 170 units in 1999, the Class 158 fleet was cascaded onto other routes, such as services to Thurso and Wick. The resultant cascade of older units allowed ScotRail to finally retire its elderly Class 101 'heritage' DMUs and end the lease on the Class 150. Six units were also transferred to other franchises. First Scotrail have begun to repaint the fleet into First's corporate pink dark blue livery. First Scotrail have recently acquired some First Great Western 158s. First Scotrail also have taken on the two former SWT units.
It is rumoured that 158867-870 (The units from First Great Western) will eventually be based at Haymarket, FSR require more units within the next few years.
158863 joined the Scotrail fleet on loan from First Great Western on the 9th December 2006. This unit carries standard Wessex Trains "Alphaline" livery. First Scotrail also have taken on the two former SWT units.
First Scotrail's refurbished units have been improved with new seats, new carpeting, a new first class area and extra luggage space - well suited for the long journeys they mostly operate in the North. The driver's cab has also received some improvements. On the exterior the First Scotrail units have had new brighter LED headlights fitted and a new yellow line above the first class area at one end of the train.
The current operations of the Scotrail 158s are very varied. Journeys range from short hops such as Glasgow Queen Street to Anniesland to intercity services between Glasgow/Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Inverness as well as the rural Far North Line and Kyle line. Routes out of Glasgow and Edinburgh are shared with Class 170 DMUs and Class 156s. Often a Class 158 can be seen running in 4 or 6 car formation or coupled to a Turbostar but coupled to a Class 156 is less common.
Several of the Scotrail units have had names attached - for example 158702 is named "BBC Scotland - 75 Years" and 158707 is named "Far North Line - 125th Anniversary"
[edit] Northern Rail
The new Northern Rail franchise started operations on 12 December 2004. This incorporated the old Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western franchises. Their current Class 158 fleet consists 44 trains (8 3-car and 36 2-car) this includes eight former First North Western units, the ten Arriva Trains Northern MetroTrain units. The other units have come from Central Trains and Transpennine Express, four former Central Trains units were leased to Northern Rail then sub-leased to First Great Western. These have since been returned.
In June 2005 all 158 units transferred to Leeds to work former Arriva Trains Northern services in exchange for unrefurbished Class 150 units. Almost all of the 158s that Northern Rail have acquired have since gone to the Leeds depot, with some 156s being transferred across the Pennines as the 158s arrived. The 3-car units are used on the York to Blackpool service. 158s were due to run the Liverpool to Manchester Airport via Newton-le-Willows express service. However, Northern have opted to use 156s on that service, rather than training Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool based staff on 158s.
The introduction of extra 158s has seen some of Northern’s Class 142s taken out of service[2]. However, 68 142s remain in service in January 2008.
In 2007 Northern began replacing the seat cushions in its 158 fleet, as part of a project which received funding from Metro and South Yorkshire PTE[3] - this is due to be completed by October 2008. Northern has also began re-painting its sets in its own livery.
[edit] South West Trains
In June 2005, South West Trains gained two former-Central Trains units for the Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads service withdrawn by Arriva Trains Wales. Though refurbished and repainted to match the South West Trains 159 fleet, these units later moved on to First ScotRail in 2007.
In 2007, a further 19 units were received, this time from Transpennine Express. Eight three-car units have since been converted into Class 159/1's, with the eleven two-car units refurbished and renumbered into the 15888x series.
The 158s are now mostly used on the Salisbury to Southampton Central via Romsey service, allowing South West Trains' small Class 170 fleet transferred away to Transpennine Express and Southern.
In 2008 when the new passing loop near Axminster is completed the units will operate the new hourly local service from Axminster to Exeter St Davids service. In the meantime, three units are on loan to East Midlands Trains - 158881, 158882 and 158884
[edit] Former operations
[edit] Pre-Privatisation
Upon introduction under British Rail, Class 158 units were used on various Regional Railways services. These included Scottish and Transpennine express services, along with upgraded services under the new 'Alphaline' brand. Additionally, units 158747-158751 were used by Intercity to supplement its core Cross Country fleet.
[edit] Arriva Trains Northern
Arriva Trains Northern (ATN), originally called Northern Spirit, inherited a large fleet of units. However, all but ten units have been transferred to TransPennine Express. The ten remaining sets (nos. 158901-910) are primarily used on services around Leeds. The ATN franchise became part of the new Northern Rail franchise in late 2004.
[edit] Central Trains
Central Trains' original 158 fleet operated its express, long-distance (originally Alphaline) services. However, the company quickly procured a large fleet of Class 170 units for such services, displacing the Class 158 fleet to secondary routes such as Birmingham to Hereford and Derby to Matlock.
Central Trains were the first company to temporarily reform some of its standard two-car units into three-car units, doing so originally in 2001 and again between 2003 and late 2004. These were composed of three driving motor cars, with the innermost cab locked out of use.
During 2003, Central Trains attempted to exchange its Class 156 units with ScotRail in return for more Class 158 units. However, this never went ahead sadly, and the transfer of Cambrian Line services to Wales and Borders Trains in 2001, along with the introduction of 17 further Class 170/1 units transferred from Midland Mainline in 2004, eventually allowed Central Trains to reduce its fleet to just 12 units.
In February 2007, the fleet began to increase in size again, as 9 three-car units were acquired from First TransPennine Express for services from Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich via Nottingham.
Other Central Trains routes which commonly saw Class 158s included Birmingham New Street to Great Malvern, Hereford, Leicester, Nottingham, Shrewsbury and Stansted Airport, as well as Cardiff Central to Nottingham via Birmingham New Street, Nottingham to Skegness, Leicester to Lincoln Central and Derby to Matlock and Crewe.
All units were transferred to East Midlands Trains when the Central Trains franchise was spilt up in November 2007.
[edit] First North Western
First North Western had eight 158s, which were based at Newton Heath and used on various mid to long distance routes. In early 2004 some were sub-leased to First Transpennine Express to provide some much needed extra capacity. The First North Western 158s were mainly used on the Manchester to Hull & Bridlington route and remained in North Western Trains livery. At the end of the First North Western franchise, the 158s were returned to Newton Heath, in time for the start of the new Northern Rail franchisee and Northern Rail quickly transferred the 158s to their Leeds depot. First Transpennine Express received some 158s which were no longer needed by Central Trains at around the same time.
[edit] TransPennine Express
Newly-created in 2004, the TransPennine Express franchise inherited a substantial fleet of Class 158 units from Arriva Trains Northern, including the seventeen original 3-car units, 158798-814. The fleet was used on long-distance journeys, such as Manchester Airport to Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes and Liverpool to Scarborough. First Group slowly added its new brand name using dark blue vinyl branding over the top of the existing liveries. These vinyls were not full-height and so the sets retained part of their existing branding.
In late 2004, further units were cascaded from Central Trains, allowing the formation of six 3-car units, 158971-976.
TransPennine Express's Class 158's have now been replaced by new Class 185 "Pennine" and Class 170 "Turbostar" units which gradually entered service in 2006/7. Units have transferred to a variety of operators, originally including:
- First Great Western - various two-car units and one three-car unit
- South West Trains - ten three-car units for conversion to Class 159, eight two-car units and outer driving cars of three 3-car units
- Central Trains - some three-car units, some two-car units and remaining 'spare' centre cars
More recent stock changes have seen units being reformed and transferred widely, meaning that in 2008 former Transpennine Express units are now operated by East Midlands Trains, First Great Western, Northern Rail and South West Trains.
[edit] Virgin Trains
Prior to the introduction of the Class 220/221 Virgin Voyagers, Virgin Cross Country operated a small number of Class 158 units, numbers 158747-158751. These were used on Manchester Piccadilly/Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow/Edinburgh services via the West Coast Main Line. Most of these units are now operated by First Great Western. 158750 is operated by First Great Western and was the last unit still to carry Regional Railways livery, albeit with TransPennine Express vinyls from the windows down.
[edit] Wessex Trains
Wessex Trains originally operated 12 class 158 trains on the long distance services on the Wessex main line. Later in the franchise, the company acquired additional units and re-formed some into three coach formations. Unlike the purpose-built three car Class 158s and Class 159s, the centre car was a Driving Motor with the cab locked out of use and an adapter to connect the different sized gangways. At the end of the franchise, the Wessex fleet initially transferred to First Great Western. Some units have since found their way to Northern Rail.
[edit] Current Fleet Details
| Operator | No of units | Unit nos. |
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| Arriva Trains Wales | 24 | 2-car: 158818-841 |
| East Midlands Trains | 25 | 2-car: 158770/773/774/777/780/783/785/788/799/806/810/812/813/846/847/852/854/856-858/862-866 |
| First Great Western | 17 | 2-car: 158745/746/763/766-767/769/776/778 |
| 3-car: 158798/950-957 | ||
| First ScotRail | 47 | 2-car: 158701-736/738-741/782/786/789/867-870 |
| Northern | 46 | 2-car: 158784/787/790-797/815-817/842-845/848-851/853/855/859-861/871-872/901-910 |
| 3-car: 158752-759 | ||
| South West Trains | 11 | 2-car: 158880-890 |
[edit] References
- ^ Thai State Railways - Diesel Multiple Unit.
- ^ Angel Trains leases 30 Class 158 Diesel Multiple Units to Northern Rail. Northern Rail (2007-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
- ^ Class 158 Seat Overhaul. West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
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