BRITISH RAIL CLASS 158

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.

Contents

Description

Variants

Technical issues

Comfort and performance

Current operations

Arriva Trains Wales

Central Trains

First Great Western

First ScotRail

Northern Rail

South West Trains

Former operations

Pre-Privatisation

Arriva Trains Northern

TransPennine Express

Virgin Trains

Current Fleet Details

References

Description

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. 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 158840 and 158901 to 158910 had 350 hp Cummins engines. The next batch, 158841 to 158860 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.

Technical issues

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 disk 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.
Aside from these issues 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 as such there is no cooling available, other than the 4 opening hopper windows in the centre of each carriage. This leads to uncomfortable journeys on hot days.

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. Fully air-conditioned with 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.

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.

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 transferred various 158-worked services to other rolling stock.
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 since repainted some units in their own turquoise livery, and started to install CCTV inside carriages.
Most Arriva 158's can be seen working on the following routes
Birmingham New Street to Chester via Shrewsbury,
Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth,
Maesteg and Cardiff Central to Gloucester,
Cardiff Central to Crewe / Manchester / Holyhead

Central Trains

'Central Trains' has a fleet of 21 units, which it used on long distance "Citylink" journeys. These include Birmingham to Stansted Airport, Liverpool to Norwich, and Nottingham to Cardiff. With the introduction of newer Class 170 "Turbostars", some units have been cascaded onto other routes, such as Birmingham to Hereford.
In 2003, Central Trains reformed some of its standard 2-car units into 3-car units, numbered 158951-958. These were composed of three driving motor cars, with the innermost cab locked out of use. These units allowed the lengthening of carriages of some of the busiest trains during the summer months.
In late 2004, the three-car units were disbanded and reformed as two-car units. Due to the arrival of 17 Class 170/1 units from Midland Mainline, several units were transferred to other operators, leaving Central Trains with just 12 units.
In February 2007, 9 three-car units have been transferred from Transpennine Express.Once in service, these are expected to be used mainly on Central Citylink services being based at Cambridge depot. This is in preparation for the split of the Central Trains franchise.
Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury ,
Birmingham New Street to Great Malvern and Hereford ,
Birmingham New Street to Nottingham via Derby ,
Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport via Cambridge ,
Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich via Nottingham ,
Cardiff Central to Nottingham via Birmingham New Street ,
Nottingham to Skegness Fast Service
Birmingham New Street to Leicester via Nuneaton
Leicester to Lincoln Central via Nottingham

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 and Great Malvern services.
In late 2004, Wessex Trains received further units from Central Trains. This allowed the formation of several 3-car units, which were renumbered into the 158961-968 range. Like the Central Trains three-car sets, they were formed of three driving motors, with the middle cab locked out of use. However these are being disbanded and reformed as two carriage sets following the DfT blocking the transfer of ex TransPennine Express units to Great Western. Following further negotiations with the DfT, FGW will be taking on some of the Transpennine fleet. Unit 158750 arrived in June 2006, with 158762-158765 arriving on the 1st August 2006. All have gained unofficial names based on the female characters from the BBC Sitcom Last of the Summer Wine.
These have since been joined by 158766-158769, 158776 and 158778, and three-car 158798.
which are all in the old First Trans Pennine Express livery.
Meanwhile, 158863 has been transferred to First Scotrail at Haymarket depot. It is rumoured that 158863-872 will eventually be based at Haymarket, FSR require more units within the next few years.
Possibly in preparation for this, all the former three driving car sets have now been disbanded. 158961 and 158968 are operating as two car sets with hybrid numbered cars and 158748/9/51/815-7/864-6 are in service as two car sets again.
First Great Western is awaiting three further units from TransPennine Express. On arrival of these, 158870-158872 will probably be taken off lease, thus paving the way for the above transfer.

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 and purple livery.
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 have begun the renovation of their 158 units, adding new carpeting, luggage areas and seats.

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. The current Class 158 fleet consists of eight former FNW units, the ten ATN metro units, 2 former Central Trains units (still in Central Trains livery) and 2 units on hire from Arriva Trains Wales (also both in Central Trains livery).
A general fleet shuffle took place in June 2005 with all 158 units transferred to Leeds to work former Arriva Trains Northern services in exchange for Class 150 units
An additional 4 units were subleased to First Great Western in 2006, all are former Central units in full central livery and in a poor state of repair. These are presently returning to Northern, with 158793 arriving in August
In March 2007, it was announced that Northern will acquire an additional 30 Class 158s from Angel trains in conjunction with the DFT. 6 are to be sponsored by Merseyrail for use on the City Line. It is also reported that around 20 class 142 Pacers will be withdrawn from service and placed in Storage as these class 158s appear in service On regional express services York to Blackpool North via Leeds , Middlesbrough to Hexham via Newcastle class 158's can also be seen on the following routes in the Northern Rail Franchise are
Scarborough/Bridlington to Sheffield via Hull,
Leeds to Manchester Victoria (shared with Class 155),
Leeds to Sheffield via Barnsley (shared with class 144),
Newcastle to Carlisle via Hexham,
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport via Newton Le Willows.^[2]

South West Trains

In late June 2005, South West Trains started operating two former-Central Trains units for the Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads service that was previously operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Though refurbished and repainted to match the South West Trains 159 fleet, these units then moved on temporarily to First ScotRail in 2007.
In 2007, South West Trains received several former TransPennine Express units in exchange for their Turbostar fleet, with a view to increasing West of England services. Eight three-car units have been converted into Class 159/1's, with a further eleven two-car units refurbished and renumbered into the 15888x series.
The 158s will be found mostly on the following routes:
Romsey to Totton via Southampton Central ,
Bristol Temple Meads to London Waterloo via Salisbury ,
Reading and Basingstoke to Brighton ,
and services west of Exeter

Former operations

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.

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.

TransPennine Express

TransPennine Express was a new franchise created in 2004, formed of the express routes previously operated by Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western. The franchise inherited the majority of the Class 158 units from ATN, and has slowly added its new brandname over the top of the existing liveries, with interesting results. The fleet is used on long-distance journeys, such as Sunderland and Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport via York and Leeds, Manchester to Cleethorpes, and Liverpool to Yorkshire Coast services. The TransPennine Express fleet includes the seventeen 3-car units (nos. 158798-814).
In late 2004, TransPennine Express received further units cascaded from Central Trains. This allowed it to form six 3-car units, numbered 158971-976. These were formed of three driving motors, with the central cab locked out of use. Previously when Arriva were running the franchisee they were suplementing the 158s with Arriva Trains Northern 156s, then when First Group took over they were additionally using First North Western 158s. The First North Western 158s were transferred to the Northern Rail franchisee in late 2004 and are based in the Yorkshire region.
TransPennine Express's Class 158's have now been be replaced by new Class 185 or Class 170 units which gradually entered service in 2006/7. The 3-car 158 units are being transferred to South West Trains to be converted into Class 159/1s from summer 2006. The initial batch of 3 units is currently at Wabtec being converted)
The Cascade began in June 2006

★ First Great Western - 158750/762-765

★ South West Trains - 158803/804/807 (Currently being converted to 159 1xx)
As of January 2007:

★ First Great Western - 158750/760-769/776/778

★ South West Trains - 800/801/803/804/805/807/809/811 (all to be/have been converted to Class 159)
It has been reported that the following transfers will take place in addition to those above:

★ Central Trains - 2 units selected from 158770/772/774/777 plus 3-car units 158799/806/810/812/813 and centre
cars 58701/702/708 from 3-car units 801/802/808

★ First Great Western - 158771 plus 2 units from 158770/772/774/777

★ Northern - 158784/790

★ South West Trains - 158737/42/43/44/73/75/79/81 and the outer driving cars from 3-car units 158802/808/814.

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 is the sole unit still in Regional Railways livery, albeit with TransPennine Express vinyls from the windows down.

Current Fleet Details

Operator	No of units	Unit nos.
Arriva Trains Wales	24	158818-841
Central Trains	21	158770/773/774/777/780/783/785/788/799/806/810/812/813/846/847/852/854/856-858/862
First Great Western	24 + (12 to move Northern)	158745-751/760-769/771/776/778/798/864/865 To move to Northern (815-817/855/866-872)
First ScotRail	41 + (3 to move to Northern)	158701-736/738-741/863 To move to Northern (782/786/789)
Northern	38 + (15 Due to move to Northern)	158752-759/784/787/790-797/842-845/848-851/853/859-861/901-910 + Due to Northern (782/786/789/815-817/855/866-872)
South West Trains	11	158880-890

References

1. Thai State Railways - Diesel Multiple Unit
2. Angel Trains leases 30 Class 158 diesel multiple units to Northern Rail