| British Rail Class 151 Sprinter | |
|---|---|
 A class 151 at Derby in 1987 | |
| In service | 1985–1989 |
| Manufacturer | Metro-Cammell |
| Order no. |
|
| Built at | Washwood Heath, Birmingham |
| Family name | Sprinter |
| Replaced | BR First-Generation DMUs |
| Constructed | 1985[1] |
| Entered service | 1985[2] |
| Scrapped | 2004[2] |
| Number built | 2 |
| Number scrapped | 2 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit: DMSL-MS-DMS[3] |
| Diagram |
|
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Operators | Regional Railways |
| Depots | Etches Park (Derby)[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium[3] |
| Car length | |
| Width | 2.810 m (9 ft 2.6 in)[4] |
| Height | 3.845 m (12 ft 7.4 in)[4] |
| Floor height | 1.156 m (3 ft 9.5 in)[4] |
| Doors | Double-leaf pocket sliding[3] |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h)[3] |
| Weight |
|
| Prime mover(s) | 3 × Cummins NT855-R5 (one per vehicle)[1] |
| Engine type | Inline-6 4-stroke turbo-diesel[5] |
| Displacement | 14 L (855 cu in) per engine[5] |
| Power output | 638 kW (855 hp) total[3] |
| Transmission | Twin Disc 1330 |
| UIC classification | 2′B′+2′B′+B′2′ |
| Bogies | Metro-Cammell[3] |
| Braking system(s) | Electro-pneumatic[3] |
| Coupling system | BSI[1] |
| Multiple working | Within class, and with Classes 14x and 15x[3] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 151 was a prototype class of diesel multiple unit (DMU) developed and constructed by the British railway equipment manufacturer Metro Cammell. It was designed primarily to serve as a successor to the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs operated by the British Rail (BR).
Development of the Class 151 commenced during 1983 in response to a specification issued by BR calling for a new generation of DMU with which to equip its fleet. Both Metro Cammell and British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) were selected to produce prototypes of their design submissions. Accordingly, a pair of 3-car units were constructed, which entered trial service with BR during 1985. If it had emerged successful, the Class 151 would have likely become the basis of Sprinter family of DMUs that were produced during the 1980s. However, following a competitive evaluation against the rival Class 150, the type did not secure a production contract, having lost out to its BREL-built rival. Both units were withdrawn during 1989 and, despite multiple vendors planning to restore them for service, they were ultimately scrapped.
- ^ a b c d e f g Fox, Peter (1987). British Railways Pocket Book No. 2: Multiple Units (Summer–Autumn 1987 ed.). Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-906579-74-9.
- ^ a b c Coxon, Dave. "The Class 151 Metro-Cammell DMUs". Testing Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Class 151". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 8 November 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Met Cam's new DMU". Modern Railways. Vol. 42, no. 440. Ian Allan Publishing. May 1985. Side Elevation of DMS Vehicle. ISSN 0026-8356. Archived from the original (JPEG) on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b Marine Engine General Data Sheet N/NT/NTA 855-M (PDF). Columbus, Indiana: Cummins Engine Company. 18 February 2002. p. 1. DS-4962. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.