Sprinters working in multiple

[absolutelymilk]

Have Sprinters ever worked in sets of three or more units? Might we see this on Northern as electrification/new stock frees up more units to work busy services?

 

[Kite159]

There is a daily 4 unit service on SWR (a 159+159+158+158) which does a trip to London & back. A lot more triple sets out this way (either 159+159+159 or 159+159+158).

In the north, I've seen triple 156s in the past, and in Scotland a triple 158

 

[chubs]

EMT have run 3x158 before in times of disruption. I was on one a few years ago around this time of the year - it was reduced service anyway due to planned engineering works and then one service didn't run at all. Was very quiet and roomy, a nice change from usual on the Liverpool to Norwich route...

 

[OrangeJuice]

Arriva trains Wales have a 3x 158 diagram from Shrewsbury to Birmingham and back in the morning peak (although I believe this is only 2 158's due to PRM mods).

I've also travelled on a 6 car from Machynlleth to Birmingham on a Sunday when 4 joined from Pwhelli, it got incredibly busy past Telford on a Sunday evening I was quite surprised

 

[driver9000]

15x units can work in multiple up to 12 cars in length. 8-10 car formations are not uncommon on Northern when ferrying empty units to depots. There are a handful of diagrams on the Buxton line which run 6 car trains with 1 set being in transit.

 

[cf111]

156s regularly on the West Highland Line south of Crianlarich where units split or join on their way to and from Fort William/Mallaig and Oban.

 

[Silver Cobra]

When I used the 0821 West Highland Line service from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban last year (only travelling as far as Helensburgh Upper due to delays caused by a signalling failure), it was composed of three Class 156 units. The service was planned to split at Crianlarich, with two units heading towards Mallaig and one towards Oban. I imagine this is the normal routine for this service.

**EDIT: cf111's post above confirms that this is the norm for these services.

 

[HumberSprinter]

I've seen a picture of a very very long Sprinter set, looked like a dozen units.
But personally I've only seen 3 together.

 

[Polarbear]

I've seen a picture of a very very long Sprinter set, looked like a dozen units.
But personally I've only seen 3 together.

That sounds like a test run that was done in the early 1990's when multiple 158's were coupled together.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I've seen a picture of a very very long Sprinter set, looked like a dozen units.
But personally I've only seen 3 together.

Possibly the 12-car Class 158 used for a Regional Railways event. I think that it is in the 'Regional Railways Story' book.
Midland Mainline had a 3x2-car Class 170 diagram from St Pancras in the evening peak for a short while when the Turbostars were first introduced. Must have been one of the least efficient uses of staff, first class, cab space, revenue protection, etc. ever.

 

[HumberSprinter]

That sounds like a test run that was done in the early 1990's when multiple 158's were coupled together.

Could be, I recall Regional Railway colours as Dr Hoo also says and the train went over a viaduct in the picture.

 

[ScottDarg]

Could be, I recall Regional Railway colours and the train went over a viaduct in the picture.

Is it this one of what looks to be 6x156s crossing Culloden Viaduct? http://metcam.co.uk.nstempintl.com/pics/156496.jpg

 

[HumberSprinter]

Is it this one of what looks to be 6x156s crossing Culloden Viaduct? http://metcam.co.uk.nstempintl.com/pics/156496.jpg

Bingo!

 

[AndyW33]

EMT has an ECS working from Nottingham to Liverpool Lime Street in the very early morning that consists of the stock for the first two Liverpool-Norwich services coupled together. As Liverpool-Norwich is normally 2 x 2-car 158s as far as Nottingham, this working could be 8 cars? Never been up early enough to see it, but we do have EMT drivers here, I think, who may comment. Come to that, there's an evening equivalent from Liverpool back to Nottingham that operates in service...

 

[Dr Hoo]

Bingo!

I think that Culloden Viaduct has a double track formation but the units look like the first ScotRail series.
Sadly they had just arrived in Inverness for Far North services but then were whisked down south overnight en masse to cover for Class 155 door problems ISTR.
A long time ago now.

 

[Dr Hoo]

The 6x2 Class 158 run was a staff special on 13 October 1990. Picture does not say where but it was from Derby and looks a bit like the Hope Valley in Edale (near Norman's Bank former signal box) but I could be wrong.

 

[scotraildriver]

Sprinter type units are restricted to a maximum of 12 cabs. Anymore than that and the voltage drop between the rear cab and the leading one may prevent a brake release. (Brakes release from the rear cab forwards)

 

[Eccles1983]

Unless its got a 153 then its 10.

 

[Tomnick]

EMT has an ECS working from Nottingham to Liverpool Lime Street in the very early morning that consists of the stock for the first two Liverpool-Norwich services coupled together. As Liverpool-Norwich is normally 2 x 2-car 158s as far as Nottingham, this working could be 8 cars? Never been up early enough to see it, but we do have EMT drivers here, I think, who may comment. Come to that, there's an evening equivalent from Liverpool back to Nottingham that operates in service...

Yes, it's meant to be 8 cars (4x158). The evening ECS back from Liverpool is normally just a single 158, but sometimes couples to the previous arrival at Liverpool and runs as a 4-car on the last one back.

The 0620-something (passenger) service from Derby to Nottingham is* normally formed of 7 or 8 cars too, albeit with all bar the front two locked out - the leading unit goes to Eastcroft for a B exam after underframe cleaning on Etches Park, the next two form the 0746 Liverpool and the rear one forms the 0730 Leicester.

* - the Derby blockade is obviously affecting that!

 

[bunnahabhain]

Is it this one of what looks to be 6x156s crossing Culloden Viaduct? http://metcam.co.uk.nstempintl.com/pics/156496.jpg

If you look towards the rear I think the two rear sets are made up of the WHL 3 car sets they had for a while.

 

[PHILIPE]

7 vehicles ran from Bristol TM to Cardiff for Rugby event back last Winter formed of mixture of 150s, 153s and 158s

 

[Highlandspring]

There's a booked 8 car class 156 lift from Corkerhill to Queen Street.

 

[Kite159]

Yes, it's meant to be 8 cars (4x158). The evening ECS back from Liverpool is normally just a single 158, but sometimes couples to the previous arrival at Liverpool and runs as a 4-car on the last one back.

The 0620-something (passenger) service from Derby to Nottingham is* normally formed of 7 or 8 cars too, albeit with all bar the front two locked out - the leading unit goes to Eastcroft for a B exam after underframe cleaning on Etches Park, the next two form the 0746 Liverpool and the rear one forms the 0730 Leicester.

* - the Derby blockade is obviously affecting that!

Likewise IIRC there is a late evening Nottingham - Derby service which is multiple units returning to Derby overnight, with normally only the front unit in use.

 

[InterCity:125]

When 150/2s work in three car sets there is a extra cab between two of the sets.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

15x units can work in multiple up to 12 cars in length. 8-10 car formations are not uncommon on Northern when ferrying empty units to depots.

Yep, just get to Leeds at the end of rush-hour to see some big Sprinter/Pacer lashups.

With the new stock arriving, lots of Northern stuff is being strengthened, so I've seen several trios of 2*153 + 156/8.

 

[rustbucket]

Yep, just get to Leeds at the end of rush-hour to see some big Sprinter/Pacer lashups.

With the new stock arriving, lots of Northern stuff is being strengthened, so I've seen several trios of 2*153 + 156/8.

Saw a cracker at Leeds the other week with 142 + 153 +170 a very eclectic selection!

 

[Chrism20]

Are there not a couple of East Kilbride services 6 cars in the peaks?

 

[Ianno87]

My north of England record is sighting 3 x 142 plus 1 x 150 all together in multiple many years ago (ECS).

 

[InterCity:125]

The 16:40 GWR service from temple meads to Gloucester seems to always be made up of 4 sprinters.

 

[ASharpe]

Saw a cracker at Leeds the other week with 142 + 153 +170 a very eclectic selection!

It's certainly got more interesting recently on platforms 1-6 at Leeds recently.