Class 150 ‘Sprinter’ Unit No. 150231

Notes

First day in service at The Watercress Line – Sunday 15th February 2026

This year marks an exciting milestone for The Watercress Line as we welcome the first second-generation Sprinter Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) into preservation: Class 150 No.150231. The unit has been generously donated by Porterbrook and represents a significant step in the story of modern railway preservation, bridging the gap between the historic and contemporary eras of rail travel.

A New Generation of DMUs
By the early 1980s, British Rail faced the challenge of replacing its ageing fleet of first-generation DMUs built in the 1950s and 60s. Refurbishing the older stock was considered uneconomical, and so work began on two new types of train. The first was the lightweight “Pacer” railbus, using bus technology, while the second was a more substantial DMU designed for longer-distance services. These became known collectively as the “Sprinters”
and included Classes 150, 153, 155, 156 and 158. One of the most visible changes was the move from traditional slam doors to modern power-operated sliding doors.

Built between 1984 and 1987 at York Works by British Rail Engineering Ltd, the Class 150s used the same steel bodyshell as the Southern Region’s Class 455 electric units. Each coach is powered by a 286-horsepower Cummins diesel engine driving a Voith transmission, giving a top speed of 75 mph. A total of 137 units were built, divided into three subclasses: 150/0, 150/1 and 150/2. The latter, to which 150231 belongs, is easily recognised by its end gangways, allowing passengers to move between coupled units on longer routes.

The Story of 150231
Delivered new to Newton Heath Depot in Manchester in February 1987, 150231 has enjoyed a varied career across the country. It served with Regional Railways Central, then transferred to BR Anglia (Norwich) in 1994, where it gained its name “King Edmund” at Bury St Edmunds station. After a short spell with Silverlink Trains in 2004, the unit moved to Central Trains and later to Arriva Trains Wales in 2007.
Its final passenger working took place on Wednesday 9 July 2025, operating the 18:35 Shrewsbury to Swansea service. Afterwards, it returned to Derby Litchurch Lane Works to feature in Railway 200’s “Greatest Gathering”, a remarkable celebration bringing together historic locomotives and trains from across two centuries. For this event, 150231 regained its original 1987 Regional Railways livery, marking its transition into preservation.

A Perfect Fit for The Watercress Line
The heritage significance of the 150 Unit was highlighted by its participation in the Greatest Gathering, where the organisers recognised the opportunity to re-livery it elegantly to fill a timeline gap between the diesels commonly in preservation and mature units currently still in use. 

 
The Watercress Line Operations Manager Richard Bentley said:
“If the Line had stayed open through the 1980s, this is exactly the type of unit that might have run here.”
The Class 150 fills a useful gap in our service by enabling an earlier departure from Alton and improving flexibility on operating days.

Chief Executive Rebecca Dalley added:
“Since our previous multiple unit, the Class 205 ‘Hampshire Unit’, came out of service in 2004, we’ve been keen to reintroduce a diesel multiple unit. With the Class 150 joining our fleet, and the restoration of the Hampshire Unit planned, we can once again provide a service that connects perfectly with our steam-hauled trains.”

Trustee and Alton resident Jonathan Morris reflected on its significance:
“It’s extraordinary to think that more time has passed since the Class 150 entered service than between the building of Canadian Pacific and the reopening of The Watercress Line. My children can enjoy this train today, and in years to come they will see it preserved as part of living railway history. We are hugely grateful to Porterbrook for their generosity and to the Greatest Gathering team for restoring it to its original livery.”

Copy and image courtesy of Richard Bentley.

To contribute towards the upkeep of our Class 150 Sprinter Unit Donate Here.

Class 150 Sprinter Unit arrived safely at The Watercress Line on 23rd December 2025. Click here to watch a video showing the journey of 150231 from Derby to Alton.