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Class 155 Super Sprinter Leyland Bus Class 155 diesel multiple unit trains were built from 1987-1988 Class 155 2-car sets have a maximum speed of 75 mph. Class 155 DMUs operate on the 'Calder Valley Line' linking Leeds-Bradford-Manchester Class 155 DMUs were built 1987-1988 A history of the Class 155 diesel multiple units
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Northern Rail Class 155 DMU unit 155344 at York station (August 2021)
Class 155 DMU 155345 with the Northern Rail 1345 service from York to Hull, Colton Lane bridge, south of Colton Junction (July 11th, 2020)
The Class 155 diesel multiple units are operated by Northern Rail. Here Class 155 345 (DMU 155345, carriage nos. 52345 & 57345) is standing in Leeds Station with a train for Bradford and Manchester Victoria via the Calder Valley line.
Class 155 DMU unit 155342 at Leeds station (June 2017)
A history of the Class 155 diesel multiple units The Class 155 “Super Sprinter” DMUs were a short‑lived but important transitional fleet built by Leyland Bus in 1986–87 to replace ageing first‑generation DMUs, with 42 units produced—35 later rebuilt as single‑car Class 153s, leaving only seven two‑car sets in service today. Origins and Development of the Class 155 DMUsBy the early 1980s, British Rail faced spiralling maintenance costs on its diverse first‑generation DMU fleet. Planners concluded that refurbishment was uneconomical and instead pursued a new generation of standardised, reliable units. Initial ambitions for a 90 mph, EMU‑like diesel unit (leading to the experimental Class 210) proved too costly. BR therefore adopted a more pragmatic specification: 75 mph top speed, proven components, and lower maintenance demands. Leyland Bus—already producing the Leyland National—won the contract, and the resulting Class 155 incorporated several bus‑derived components to reduce cost and accelerate production. Construction and Technical Design of the Class 155 DMUsBuilt:
1986–87 at Workington (Leyland Bus) The design shared elements with the Class 150 but was intended as a more “up‑market” regional unit, with improved ride quality and quieter interiors. Entry Into Service of the Class 155 DMUs (1987–88)The first Class 155s entered traffic in August 1987, working regional routes across northern England—particularly Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Pennines. They were marketed as “Super Sprinters”, reflecting BR’s push for modern, reliable regional trains. Reliability Problems and the Great Conversion of the Class 155 DMUsDespite their promise, the Class 155s suffered from persistent reliability issues, largely due to the bus‑derived door and electrical systems. By 1991–92, BR opted for a radical solution: 35 units were rebuilt into single‑car Class 153 railcarsThis major conversion was carried out by Hunslet‑Barclay at Kilmarnock. The process involved:
This left only seven two‑car Class 155s (155341–155347), all originally ordered for West Yorkshire PTE, which avoided conversion. Later Life and Modern Operations of the Class 155 DMUsThe surviving seven units continued to work in West Yorkshire and the wider Northern network, later passing through operators including Arriva Trains Northern, Northern Rail, and Arriva Rail North. They are now owned by Porterbrook and operated by Northern Trains. As of 2025, they remain in service on non‑electrified regional routes such as:
Their long‑term future is uncertain, with likely replacement by bi‑mode or battery‑electric units as part of UK rail decarbonisation plans. ⭐ Significance of the Class 155 DMUs
docspics images of Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays photos of Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays photographs of Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays pictures of Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery to Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular Class 155 DMU rail tour holidays Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire * Carlisle Station * Clapham Junction Station, London * Colton Junction, south of York * Crewe Station * Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station * Newcastle Station * Northallerton Station * Nuneaton Station * Sheffield Station * Stratford Station, East London * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML * York Station See Also TOPS classes index* Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 121 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 507/508 * Class 3000 * IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES |
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