Porterbrook Class 150 gifted to Mid Hants Railway.

[43096]

Does Butterley ever attract a crowd though? From what I've heard on the grapevine it's a railway that's struggling a bit.

It did when the HST was running…

 

[50002Superb]

Yes, and also "Dervy Lightweight". I'd say I wish people would proof-read things before publishing, but that last one could be a deliberate pun I suppose!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2025 ==


Does Butterley ever attract a crowd though? From what I've heard on the grapevine it's a railway that's struggling a bit.

WRT the 141 that's currently at Eastleigh, wasn't it set to join Hornby's "1:1 Collection" at Margate at one point?

I went to Butterley back on the 12th, a Sunday, when 44004 was running. It was pulling five carriages but there were barely enough people to fill half of one.

We walked round Swanwick and didn’t see anyone except when they opened up the shed to 47401 and three people appeared from nowhere.

The chap in the cafe at Swanwick said that he hadn’t had anyone in all day (we were on the penultimate run) and the Guard on the train said that they would have been better off running the pacer (albeit we would not have gone had that been the case!).

I know that there are issues with the roof to the main shed but the reality is that there is barely anything to see at Swanwick when all the doors are closed so I don’t understand why they don’t at least open the shed doors so people can view what’s inside as there is some interesting stuff in there including Tommy E27000, a ton of shunters, 73129, amongst other stuff.

It’s probably one of the closest preserved railways to me but not one I will be rushing back to for some time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Oct 2025 ==

It did when the HST was running…

That’s surprising, what kind of numbers were they pulling in then?

Has the HST Group now left Swanwick? I saw something about them moving to the East Lancs.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

(144's being the gold standard of the pacers).

Gold standard for lack of leg room, for sure...

 

[43096]

That’s surprising, what kind of numbers were they pulling in then?

Not sure what the numbers were, but they were some of the railway’s highest revenue days.

Has the HST Group now left Swanwick? I saw something about them moving to the East Lancs.

In the process of moving.

 

[The exile]

I read yesterday that back in 1987 the first class 150s were put on the Holyhead to Scarborough run, can that really be true ?
I thought torture was against the law ?

IIRC they also appeared briefly on the “Rhinelander” or whatever the service was that plugged the gap when the European was sent via London. Blackpool - Harwich, anyone? (Or was the hoohah just that it was a 2-car 156 - it’s a long time ago)

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I'm very happy with the Class 108 on my local preserved line. Although I love the steam and Mk 1 carriages, sometimes I just like a bit of peace and quiet and thus the DMU is perfect as everyone wants the steam train - even the kids!

 

[43074]

IIRC they also appeared briefly on the “Rhinelander” or whatever the service was that plugged the gap when the European was sent via London. Blackpool - Harwich, anyone? (Or was the hoohah just that it was a 2-car 156 - it’s a long time ago)

There was a Sheffield to Ipswich booked for a 150/1 when they first appeared so they have appeared on those routes. Likewise I think they covered some of the Birmingham to Cambridge services replacing the Cravens units in the year or two before the 156s were introduced.

 

[50002Superb]

I'm very happy with the Class 108 on my local preserved line. Although I love the steam and Mk 1 carriages, sometimes I just like a bit of peace and quiet and thus the DMU is perfect as everyone wants the steam train - even the kids!

I really enjoyed riding IRIS when it was at the GCR and recently did one at Bo’Ness and must admit that it was good fun bouncing up and down on those seats looking out the front windows.

 

[Justin Smith]

I'm very happy with the Class 108 on my local preserved line. Although I love the steam and Mk 1 carriages, sometimes I just like a bit of peace and quiet and thus the DMU is perfect as everyone wants the steam train - even the kids!

I wouldn't mind doing a trip on a Heritage DMU (big windows and a sense of nostalgia), not a Class 150 though !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2025 ==

I went to Butterley back on the 12th, a Sunday, when 44004 was running. It was pulling five carriages but there were barely enough people to fill half of one.

We walked round Swanwick and didn’t see anyone except when they opened up the shed to 47401 and three people appeared from nowhere.

The chap in the cafe at Swanwick said that he hadn’t had anyone in all day (we were on the penultimate run) and the Guard on the train said that they would have been better off running the pacer (albeit we would not have gone had that been the case!).

I know that there are issues with the roof to the main shed but the reality is that there is barely anything to see at Swanwick when all the doors are closed so I don’t understand why they don’t at least open the shed doors so people can view what’s inside as there is some interesting stuff in there including Tommy E27000, a ton of shunters, 73129, amongst other stuff.

It’s probably one of the closest preserved railways to me but not one I will be rushing back to for some time.

I think one of the big problems with the Midland Railway Centre is access to Swanwick. Basically you pretty much have to park at Butterley and catch the train, and in fact when we last went even the footpath to Swanwick had been severed. That severely limits ones flexibility and stops one just calling in for a look round, maybe a trip on the narrow gauge and a bite to eat in the cafe which is what we often used to do.
I understand why they want to force people to catch the train (for the income) but I think that puts a lot of people off going. Sometimes, when you used to be able to park at Swanwick (even though technically I don't think you were supposed to ? ) we'd go with no plan to catch the train but there just happened to be a return service that was convenient so we'd get it, they miss out on that as well.

 

[Invincible]

I wouldn't mind doing a trip on a Heritage DMU (big windows and a sense of nostalgia), not a Class 150 though !.

The 150 will be fine at the MHS as a extra early train (until the Hammy is ready). The 455s are rapidly disappearing from SWR, so in a way will provide a bit of 455 nostalgia. Anyone know when the 150 will move from Derby to Alton?

 

[Yew]

I don't know if I'd go somewhere where it was the only option, but If I was at the GCR, and it came along, I'd probably jump on for a few stops.

 

[sad1e]

Is 150231 still at Derby , If so when is it expected to leave ?

 

[davart]

The class 150s go up and down the Penistone Line all day long, including 150001 and 150002.

I think they're pretty decent on that line tbh. With slight layout tweaks they could be made to be excellent despite their age.

Wonder how easily a Mk. 3 First Class interior would fit into a 150. 'Pimp my DMU'

 

[mpthomson]

Oh not this again. The interest in steam locomotives has got virtually nothing to do with whether you remember them in service. In the same way that interest in civil war reenactments has got virtually nothing to do with whether you were an active supporter of Parliament against the King in the 1640s.

Unfortunately it has. Exactly the same effect is also now apparent in things like classic cars. The more mundane pre and immediately post WW2 stuff is now much more difficult to shift compared to restored Fords, Vauxhalls etc from the 60s/70 and even early 80s that people can actually remember from their youth, that their dad had etc. This is evident from relative values of them now.

There will always be a market for the older cars but it’s significantly smaller than it used to be.

 

[generalnerd]

Only just noticed this thread, and I don’t know if this has been said earlier and I’ve missed it, but I would assume the unit could be used for filming, as it would be a fairly cheap operatic to use a modern looking train for a movie

 

[Strathclyder]

Only just noticed this thread, and I don’t know if this has been said earlier and I’ve missed it, but I would assume the unit could be used for filming, as it would be a fairly cheap operatic to use a modern looking train for a movie

Indeed.

Wasn't one of the preserved Pacers used for this a few years back? Seem to remember reading that one was used to film a episode of Vera, I think it was one of the 143s/144s.

Similarly, the NIR 450 Class Thumper set at Downpatrick over in Northern Ireland was used for filming an episode of Derry Girls a couple years back as well.

 

[Gwr12345]

Wasn't one of the preserved Pacers used for this a few years back? Seem to remember reading that one was used to film a episode of Vera, I think it was one of the 143s/144s

That was on the Wensleydale Railway over at Redmire. A pacer at the Aln Valley Railway was used for a Newcastle United ad as well

 

[duffield]

I don't know if I'd go somewhere where it was the only option, but If I was at the GCR, and it came along, I'd probably jump on for a few stops.

At the GCR with its multiple attractions at the various stations, particularly when there's an event on, there's quite a need for extra fill in services to hop on and off to - say - just get you from Quorn & Woodhouse to Loughborough or vice-versa. Ideally a "proper" heritage DMU but a 150 would certainly do, I don't suppose the non-enthusiasts would care as long as they got their main longer ride/s on a steam service.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The class 150s go up and down the Penistone Line all day long, including 150001 and 150002.

I think they're pretty decent on that line tbh. With slight layout tweaks they could be made to be excellent despite their age.

Wonder how easily a Mk. 3 First Class interior would fit into a 150. 'Pimp my DMU'

The 3-car 150s are very welcome from a capacity standpoint, for sure. Though the layout isn't ideal for a route that's quite scenic for a good portion of the journey. Unfortunately the design doesn't lend itself to a compromise between capacity and seat/window alignment. It's a long time since I rode a GWR or Welsh unit with the improved interior, so I can't recall whether the table bays are aligned with the windows. It would be fun to buy one of the three car units in a few years and see what could be done... Maybe if I win the Euromillions (which I don't even play!)

 

[D365]

I don't know if I'd go somewhere where it was the only option, but If I was at the GCR, and it came along, I'd probably jump on for a few stops.

At the GCR with its multiple attractions at the various stations, particularly when there's an event on, there's quite a need for extra fill in services to hop on and off to - say - just get you from Quorn & Woodhouse to Loughborough or vice-versa. Ideally a "proper" heritage DMU but a 150 would certainly do, I don't suppose the non-enthusiasts would care as long as they got their main longer ride/s on a steam service.

I was able to get back-to-back rides on GCR’s pair of Class 153s and a ’heritage’ DMU at the Spring 2024 diesel. Certainly goes to show the step-change in quality that second generation MUs provided when they were first introduced.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

Sorry if I’ve missed it on here, has the unit been moved yet?

 

[Invincible]

Is 150231 still at Derby , If so when is it expected to leave ?

From

Awaiting gauging clearance at Aldershot before the move can be scheduled

 

[Class450/4DES]

Awaiting gauging clearance at Aldershot before the move can be scheduled

Also explains why SWT stopped running the 456s through there. They had to run them at 10mph through the tunnel, from what I recall. I am guessing that's going to happen to 150231 when it passes through.

 

[43096]

Also explains why SWT stopped running the 456s through there.

No, the reason SWT stopped running 456s down there was because the main suburban 10-car project was completed and they were reallocated to their always intended duties. Use on Ascot-Guildford diagrams was only ever going to be temporary.

 

[Class450/4DES]

No, the reason SWT stopped running 456s down there was because the main suburban 10-car project was completed and they were reallocated to their always intended duties. Use on Ascot-Guildford diagrams was only ever going to be temporary.

Ah thanks.

Will the Class 150 have it's destination boards updated to have places such as "Alton" and "Alresford" on there?

 

[sad1e]

Ah thanks.

Will the Class 150 have it's destination boards updated to have places such as "Alton" and "Alresford" on there?

I doubt it would be hard to make a new paper blind for the 150 if they can find a roller for one.

Digital blinds i have no idea how hard they are to change but it probably depends on cooperation with the PIS supplier.

 

[fgwrich]

I doubt it would be hard to make a new paper blind for the 150 if they can find a roller for one.

Digital blinds i have no idea how hard they are to change but it probably depends on cooperation with the PIS supplier.

It’ll have to be digital unless they can get the rollers and blind box for them. I don’t think any 150s have the roller mechanism left anymore. As for updating the system, it’ll depend on if anyone has access to the TrainFX software, or if they are willing to reprogram it.

 

[sad1e]

It’ll have to be digital unless they can get the rollers and blind box for them. I don’t think any 150s have the roller mechanism left anymore.

Presumably if they wanted they could take the rollers and blind box off a 455. As they use similar Bodyshells presumably they use the same rollers and blind box.

 

[BigFank]

Ah thanks.

Will the Class 150 have it's destination boards updated to have places such as "Alton" and "Alresford" on there?

The plan is to preserve the TrainFX system that is installed on the set. This forms part of the heritage of the 150s.
TrainFX have been very supportive and offered assistance in enabling the Watercress Line to update the system to have the APIS show and announce Alton, Alresford etc.

 

[Class450/4DES]

The plan is to preserve the TrainFX system that is installed on the set. This forms part of the heritage of the 150s.
TrainFX have been very supportive and offered assistance in enabling the Watercress Line to update the system to have the APIS show and announce Alton, Alresford etc.

Alright!