Class 150 Preservation.

[TrainTrackJack]

I know a similar thread was once set up but I have recently contacted Angel Trains regarding the possibility of preserving one (specifically 150105) and it says i have been put onto a list regarding the off lease dates in the future (which in the case of the 150/0 would be 15 years at max).
Quoted below:
"I have registered your interest into are database and when any Class 150 become available you will be contacted.
Unfortunately we cannot set a price until the units are off lease which at present is 2026 with the option to extend if required."


Anyone have any advice on how to start a group to preserve one,
And if there is anyone that would be interested in joining?
Many Thanks,
Jack.

 

[alexl92]

There is a 150002 preservation society and there have been various other groups but I think some of them have sort of fallen away.
If you're really serious about it, I'd set up a facebook group and advertise it on social media, railway facebook groups etc and see if there is interest.

 

[theblackwatch]

There is a Class 150/2 (not by painted number) listed for preservation by the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board.

 

[47827]

Much as I've always disliked them from a travel perspective, given their reliability, can see a few private lines taking a good few of them. No doubt at the cost of a few broken pacers being scrapped too. Before that no doubt they will see a few reprieves and some will top 40-45 years service as they are regarded as good for most of what they still do.

 

[yorksrob]

I'm not a fan of the 150's, but for one not to be preserved would be a travesty !

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm not a fan of the 150's, but for one not to be preserved would be a travesty !

Certainly given the numbers produced, I'd be surprised if they were all scrapped... however I doubt there will be as many initially preserved as there were Pacers.
As Pacers were the first 2nd-generation units made available in large numbers, a number of railways took them to reduce dependency on older heritage units. Pacers also gained quite a following both within and without "enthusiast" circles, despite (or perhaps because of) them being pretty rubbish. There's a degree of novelty value to a ride in a 142 that there just isn't with a 150. Then there's one of the few positives of Pacers, namely the large windows with narrow pillars giving excellent views out (condensation/dirt permitting). 150s will be a poor substitute with almost all seats (in most examples) having a somewhat restricted view.

If I were in charge of my "fantasy heritage line" I'd hold back until 156s become available. Other than the 23m cars possibly being a problem for some lines, a 156 will tick all the boxes a 150 would, but better.

 

[pdeaves]

150s will be a poor substitute with almost all seats (in most examples) having a somewhat restricted view.

Though, seat positions can be adjusted if required. (Can't they?)

 

[43096]

If I were in charge of my "fantasy heritage line" I'd hold back until 156s become available. Other than the 23m cars possibly being a problem for some lines, a 156 will tick all the boxes a 150 would, but better.

The 156 should be the DMU of choice for preserved lines, as it has the benefits of a longer distance interior (end doors) of a "proper train", bogies (unlike a Pacer) for a better ride on jointed track and PRM compliance, whilst not having the additional maintenance of aircon associated with a 158.

 

[yorksrob]

Certainly given the numbers produced, I'd be surprised if they were all scrapped... however I doubt there will be as many initially preserved as there were Pacers.
As Pacers were the first 2nd-generation units made available in large numbers, a number of railways took them to reduce dependency on older heritage units. Pacers also gained quite a following both within and without "enthusiast" circles, despite (or perhaps because of) them being pretty rubbish. There's a degree of novelty value to a ride in a 142 that there just isn't with a 150. Then there's one of the few positives of Pacers, namely the large windows with narrow pillars giving excellent views out (condensation/dirt permitting). 150s will be a poor substitute with almost all seats (in most examples) having a somewhat restricted view.

If I were in charge of my "fantasy heritage line" I'd hold back until 156s become available. Other than the 23m cars possibly being a problem for some lines, a 156 will tick all the boxes a 150 would, but better.

You're spot on there.

The 156's are amazing units and worth waiting for.

As for the 150's they are so very very dull and boring. I would suggest saving one of the Wessex ones that are quite pleasant as a travelling environment !

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Though, seat positions can be adjusted if required. (Can't they?)

I think they can to an extent: for example the former Wales & West units (now TfW and GWR) that have 2+2 seating, resulting in at least more seats with a half-decent view. However AIUI there are things like heating equipment under the seats which limits the options somewhat.

Ultimately the 20m Mk3 design is fairly limited in what you can do with it. The door pockets aren't going anywhere so there will always be some seats with little or no window view. That's not a problem so much just getting people to work each morning, but when travel is by definition recreational (as preserved railways are) they aren't really fit for purpose.

 

[47827]

156s are superior and I could generally tolerate up to a few hours on one. I've always thought they would be ideal for old fashioned rambler/short scenic non dining railtour excursions in the North and Midlands to the likes of Carlisle and Whitby, given how much cheaper they are to operate than a set of hauled stock/locos. In fact there are occasions BR and private operators have released them for that use. Sadly it wasn't possible in later years as staff resourcing often made it too difficult. Can see their attraction for longer preserved lines. 150s are better for community rail services and indeed a few lines could even see them as a way of teaming up with local agencies to get commuter or leisure services introduced cheaply. For example had Okehampton not got back into the main network this year a fleet of 150s could have provided a service via a community rail initiative. Private railways aren't necessarily always going to be only about preservation, steam and tourists even though those things do feature a lot right now and will continue being relevant.

 

[Ashley Hill]

It would be nice to see a couple preserved but not loads.

I doubt there will be as many initially preserved as there were Pacers.
As Pacers were the first 2nd-generation units made available in large numbers, a number of railways took them to reduce dependency on older heritage units.

So the 1st generation units fall by the wayside then.
Each generation preserves what they remember.

 

[superalbs]

There is a 150002 preservation society and there have been various other groups but I think some of them have sort of fallen away.
If you're really serious about it, I'd set up a facebook group and advertise it on social media, railway facebook groups etc and see if there is interest.

I seem to recall that 150002 preservation society was run by a few children, I don't think it was anything serious.

 

[D365]

I seem to recall that 150002 preservation society was run by a few children, I don't think it was anything serious.

Seems to have been the case for a lot of second generation multiple unit societies.

At the very least, I hope the Class 315 guys do better, though I’m not optimistic that any PEP-based units will be preserved. Other than 313201.

 

[BigB]

Seems to have been the case for a lot of second generation multiple unit societies.

At the very least, I hope the Class 315 guys do better, though I’m not optimistic that any PEP-based units will be preserved. Other than 313201.

I think this will prove to be the case.
Loath them or love them, DMUs can run on a heritage railway, and all the doors, lights etc. will work.
No-one will fit OHL equipment at a heritage railway, so EMUs can at best be hauled with the correct connections, or sit in the open for years doing nothing.
The brave attempts of the museum at Coventry to keep EMUs in preservation should be a lesson.

The Bo'ness 303 (okay - it has a 311 centre car due to a shunting incident whilst in store at Immingham) has blue star fitted and so can control a class 27 for push pull, and has all the doors etc operational. If you sit in the motor car then you also get the sound of the traction motors whirring which is both great and confusing.

However it's now been years since this was last out, and I'm not aware of any plans to progress it. It is undercover and protected but if money was to be spent then it would be the class 126 DMU which would get it - it runs by itself and is ideal for specials.

 

[dakta]

I do actually hope that 2nd gen units get some preservation efforts - when appropriate:

"Each generation preserves what they remember."

^ because of that. My own earliest memory of any kind of train is ironically a Class 141 (I think) sat at wakefield. It kinda sticks and you tend to value most what your own direct experiences have linked you to, especially through your formative years. There is of course some rose tinted glasses involved the curse of it.

Tried to look up the 150002 group out of interest FB posts are mostly from last year and the other group seem private so not a big sell.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I seem to remember that when my TOC had 150001/2 that one was rumoured to have been claimed by the NRM. It's only right that at least one of each type of sprinter should be preserved but not too many of the same class.

 

[David Goddard]

Accessibility is becoming as much a thing on preserved lines as on the national network and as one of the first classes with wide doorways and PRM mods to be withdrawn the Sprinters could be quite useful. Personally expect the /2s with 2+2 interiors would probably be the best or most likely ones to find new lives in preservation.

 

[A0wen]

I suspect the thing that will lead to 150s being favoured in preservation over 156s or 158s is car length.

150s are ~20m - similar to a Mk1 or Mk2 coach, whereas 156s are 23m, so start to take up more space which is always at a premium, particularly when you're looking at 'fixed formation' units.

153s are likely to be popular because they are quite small - so their longer carriage length is mitigated by the fact it's only a single car.

At the very least, I hope the Class 315 guys do better, though I’m not optimistic that any PEP-based units will be preserved. Other than 313201.

Done to death on other threads - but the reason they won't be popular is they are highly impractical - they are fixed formations of 3 or 4 cars which cannot, in the preservation world, self-propel, which means you need a loco of some kind to provide the power and you need a barrier vehicle because of their coupling.

I'd be *very* surprised if any of the heritage railways take on PEPs or Mk2 EMUs for that matter. They are actually less usable than things like EPBs or other slam door EMUs - and they're not that popular on the heritage railways.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I suspect the thing that will lead to 150s being favoured in preservation over 156s or 158s is car length.

150s are ~20m - similar to a Mk1 or Mk2 coach, whereas 156s are 23m, so start to take up more space which is always at a premium, particularly when you're looking at 'fixed formation' units.

Looking at this from a preserved railway aspect, you may be correct. However, from a railtour aspect, the 156s and 158s will be perfect for them. Large windows with good alignment, right interior layout, end gangways, ability to couple up to 4 units together in service.

 

[JonathanH]

However, from a railtour aspect, the 156s and 158s will be perfect for them.

That is quite a big leap - how big is the market for railtours in 156s and 158s? You can't put a diesel or steam locomotive on the front because the couplings don't match, they aren't set up for dining passengers, they might just about be reasonable for a day trip market but are to close to 'normal' trains to be anything special.