Hornby R2162B

British Rail Class 155 155317 British Rail Provincial Revised Sprinter

Contents

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 155317

The British Rail Class 155 "Super Sprinter" represents Britain's rarest surviving diesel multiple unit type, with just seven of the original 42 Leyland Bus-built units remaining in service. Constructed at Workington between 1987-1988 using distinctive riveted panel construction borrowed from bus manufacturing, these 23-metre two-car units were part of BR's regional modernization programme. Thirty-five Regional Railways units were converted into Class 153 single-car railcars during 1991-92, leaving only the seven West Yorkshire PTE "MetroTrain" units (155341-155347) surviving in original configuration. Now operated by Northern Trains on Hull-area routes after 37 years of continuous service, these distinctive units feature Cummins NT855 diesel engines, Voith hydraulic transmission, and pioneering sliding-plug automatic doors. The class remained severely underrepresented in model form until Heljan's comprehensive 2025 OO gauge range featuring eight separately-controllable lighting functions, fully-detailed interiors, and multiple authentic livery options spanning Provincial sector through contemporary Northern operations.

Operator & Livery