BRITISH RAILCARS AND MULTIPLE UNIT TRAINS
Class 150/0 - 150 002 - Prototype Class 150 'Sprinter' - In 1984, BREL built two prototype, three-car, Class 150/0 units, numbered 150001 and 150002. 150 001 was fitted with Cummins engines and Voith hydraulic transmission, and 150 002 was fitted with Perkins (Rolls-Royce) engines and a fully automatic gearbox. 150 002 proved to be the worse of the two for reliability and was consequently chosen for use as the testbed for the Class 158, being re-geared to a maximum speed of 90 mph (140 km/h) and fitted with Cummins engines and Voith transmission, and with a Class 158 interior. To distinguish this unit, it was reclassified as the Class 154. It has since been returned to the standard configuration and reverted to its original number. Both prototypes were still in service with London Midland until 2011. 150001 entered service with First Great Western in January 2012, with 150002 to follow after refurbishment and re-livery. 150001 & 150002 now operate for Great Western Railway, with 150001 based at Bristol's St. Phillips Marsh Depot, primarily working the Bristol Parkway-Weston Super Mare route and 150002 based at Exeter St. Davids Depot, mainly operating the Riviera Line alongside Class 143 Pacers - seen here on display at York in September 1984.