5x Class 153 conversion to bike and baggage vans for Scotrail

[Bletchleyite]

You can't though, not without a bundle of mods to the inner ends of the 156s since they were changed from BSI to bar inner couplings. I'm sure this was mentioned upthread.

Not in the middle of the unit, in the middle of the formation. Are Corrour's platforms shorter than 3-car?

Edit: ah, yes, they are. Sorry. Perhaps passengers for Corrour (there aren't likely to be thousands) would have to use the regular bike spaces in the 156.

 

[hexagon789]

Not in the middle of the unit, in the middle of the formation.

Apologies, thought you meant mid unit!

Are Corrour's platforms shorter than 3-car?

I think so, I believe when the sleeper was still Mk2/Mk3 it was single door embarkation/debarkation only; presumably similar with the Mk5s

 

[Killingworth]

I think that was always the plan

Despite the installation of ski racks?

 

[hexagon789]

Despite the installation of ski racks?

Perhaps that's changed then, but back when this was first being discussed I'm quite sure they were going to only be added to sets during the summer timetable.

 

[route101]

Will these 153s have any seats?

 

[hexagon789]

Will these 153s have any seats?

Yes, they will

 

[fgwrich]

Will these 153s have any seats?

The plan is that they will be half seats & half bike / ski spaces. They might re-use the Richmonds inherited from FGW or replace them with the now standard ironing board from Fansia.

 

[ScotTrains]

Is the plan to still include a small cafe/galley area?

 

[ScotRail158725]

You can't though, not without a bundle of mods to the inner ends of the 156s since they were changed from BSI to bar inner couplings. I'm sure this was mentioned upthread.

he means whole 156 unit-153-another whole 156, when people say in the middle regarding this they mean between the two 156s not in an actual unit

 

[ScotRail158725]

Is the plan to still include a small cafe/galley area?View attachment 80305

at least theres seats, the unwashed will be happy about that so they can tick them off

 

[hexagon789]

he means whole 156 unit-153-another whole 156, when people say in the middle regarding this they mean between the two 156s not in an actual unit

Yeah I got that after Bletchleyite clarified

 

[hexagon789]

Is the plan to still include a small cafe/galley area?View attachment 80305

I think so, hopefully they do as it would definitely be a good addition given the popularity of the route with tourists

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

153s have the exact same bogie as 156s, so I don't see why ride would be an issue. The window sills are high though, that could be a slight issue.

My understanding (not from first hand engineering experience I’ll hasten to add) is that the 153s have always struggled to maintain air pressure as they only have compressor. As all other Sprinters have at least two compressors and air pressure is a continuous line, one slightly suspect compressor would be ‘carried’ by the other contributing a bit more. BR of course did the 153 conversion as cheaply as possible and elected to avoid the expense of installing a second compressor. The poor air pressure is evident at the slow rate of brake release, often resulting in a squeal when initially starting from rest and a poor rate of initial acceleration.

The point I’m coming to is that running alone, the air suspension also has a tendency to be a bit low, which means you get less damping when the track is bumpy. Presumably that means when running in multiple things are a bit better, so hopefully the jointed track on the WHL won’t compromise things too much. The low linespeed will probably mean it is tolerable at least.

 

[hexagon789]

My understanding (not from first hand engineering experience I’ll hasten to add) is that the 153s have always struggled to maintain air pressure as they only have compressor. As all other Sprinters have at least two compressors and air pressure is a continuous line, one slightly suspect compressor would be ‘carried’ by the other contributing a bit more. BR of course did the 153 conversion as cheaply as possible and elected to avoid the expense of installing a second compressor. The poor air pressure is evident at the slow rate of brake release, often resulting in a squeal when initially starting from rest and a poor rate of initial acceleration.

The point I’m coming to is that running alone, the air suspension also has a tendency to be a bit low, which means you get less damping when the track is bumpy. Presumably that means when running in multiple things are a bit better, so hopefully the jointed track on the WHL won’t compromise things too much. The low linespeed will probably mean it is tolerable at least.

I can understand the theory but you do still have the primary suspension as well which I believe actually does the damping, could be wrong I'm sure someone can confirm, but if the known air pressure issues with 153s do cause ride issues then it could be a bit lumpy on the WHL.

There is some 70mph running and you can do 60 most of the way from Cowlairs to Craigendoran. Hopefully it's still acceptable enough, we wouldn't want the punters spilling their tea now!

 

[SteveyBee131]

My understanding (not from first hand engineering experience I’ll hasten to add) is that the 153s have always struggled to maintain air pressure as they only have compressor. As all other Sprinters have at least two compressors and air pressure is a continuous line, one slightly suspect compressor would be ‘carried’ by the other contributing a bit more. BR of course did the 153 conversion as cheaply as possible and elected to avoid the expense of installing a second compressor. The poor air pressure is evident at the slow rate of brake release, often resulting in a squeal when initially starting from rest and a poor rate of initial acceleration.

The point I’m coming to is that running alone, the air suspension also has a tendency to be a bit low, which means you get less damping when the track is bumpy. Presumably that means when running in multiple things are a bit better, so hopefully the jointed track on the WHL won’t compromise things too much. The low linespeed will probably mean it is tolerable at least.

I've been on several lone 153s on jointed track over the years and never experienced a bad ride. Certainly comparable to any other Sprinter so I wouldn't worry. I have noticed the slow brake release in comparison to other Sprinters that you mention, though I couldn't say if it's any better when they run in multiple.

 

[HLE]

The air system on a 153 can be bad for small air leaks. Brake release can take an age, but it varies between units.

 

[ScottDarg]

One of the 3 currently undergoing conversion (305, 370 or 377) has appeared outside of the shed at Brodie Engineering this evening. It's been painted in the base ScotRail blue with silver doors but has yet to have things like vinyls (incl. numbers), light clusters and gangway doors re-fitted.

No view through the windows so whether anything has been fitted inside is unknown.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

View attachment 80813

Nice little Defender there.

Series IIA with Safari roof.

Quite the British Leyland festival going on in that shot.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Series IIA with Safari roof.

Quite the British Leyland festival going on in that shot.

It is actually. Is that a YEC shunting loco ?

 

[3973EXL]

Realtime Trains - 506O 0855 Heaton T&R.S.M.D. to Kilmarnock Bonnyton Depot

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

153373 arrived Kilmarnock today.

 

[ScottDarg]

Realtime Trains - 506O 0855 Heaton T&R.S.M.D. to Kilmarnock Bonnyton Depot

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

153373 arrived Kilmarnock today.

As did another - presumed to be 153380

 

[ScotRail158725]

As did another - presumed to be 153380

common sense tells you its 153380, 153305/370/373/377/380 all came up from GWR to Northern on short term lease and scotrail were due 5.

 

[CR165022]

Realtime Trains - 506O 0855 Heaton T&R.S.M.D. to Kilmarnock Bonnyton Depot

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

153373 arrived Kilmarnock today.

Is it in ex GWR livery or ScotRail livery?

 

[ScottDarg]

common sense tells you its 153380, 153305/370/373/377/380 all came up from GWR to Northern on short term lease and scotrail were due 5.

Only if you keep track of stuff like this - which a lot of people don't so "common sense tells you" is poor word choice and comes across as a bit cheeky.

Thanks for confirming anyway.

 

[Mordac]

Are all five in Scotland now, then (even if still to be converted)?

 

[Neptune]

Yes they are (said in a relaxed and informative tone).

 

[Azzy49]

Only if you keep track of stuff like this - which a lot of people don't so "common sense tells you" is poor word choice and comes across as a bit cheeky.

Thanks for confirming anyway.

I completely understand, comes across very mild and cheeky for one simple mistaken identifiction of a class 153

 

[Steven_G]

Does anyone have any news of these coming out of Brodies? Reads in the thread that all the units are there being worked on but are we near the stage of one being released back to Scotrail?

Scotrail might be in no rush as demand plummeted but still, would be good to see these get in service.

 

[Azzy49]

Does anyone have any news of these coming out of Brodies? Reads in the thread that all the units are there being worked on but are we near the stage of one being released back to Scotrail?

Scotrail might be in no rush as demand plummeted but still, would be good to see these get in service.

I agree with your Point of might not be necessary to see them and get them into Service but would be nice to see the ready. On a Google Images Pic. A Class 153 is painted in a Debranded Scotrail Blue. That was a whiLe back though but haven't heard anything since.

 

[ld0595]

First of the 153s have been revealed.

https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/1318885383766265861?s=19

Bit surprised that there's no extra seating - I thought the concept showed a few extra seats. Nevertheless it will be a great addition to the scenic lines!

Edit: Another tweet shows a few seats with plug points and USB sockets. https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/1318887445467975681?s=20