Class 151 interior

[Transilien]

Does anyone have a photo of the interior of the class 151 sprinter prototype?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Best I can find is this old RUK thread….

Class 151 DMSL Seating Layout

I’m currently helping a friend out to model an interior layout for the class 151, but on the DMSL, specifically on the area nearest to the driving cab, we can’t seem to figure out what layout is used there, we think it’s a 2+2 layout with the seats on the wall to the driving cab being foldable...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[dmncf]

On this webpage about the Class 151, the first image is a diagram of the interior layout. Sadly not a photo. -

Class 151 Sprinter Prototype

http://www.traintesting.com/images/diagram.jpg

 

[Failed Unit]

It was just standard bus bench seats from what I remember. 150001 had lots of different types of seats from my memory (assume for BR to test passenger feedback) - I understand 150002 also had bench seats, by the time I first caught it it was converted to 154001 (renumbered later). The seats on the prototypes were the same as the pacers.

 

[Sun Chariot]

It was just standard bus bench seats from what I remember

Yep. Interior photo (linked below, it's from the thread linked in post 2) shows 3+2 bench seating bays, with low-back seating style (with the brown + orange moquette)

Class 151 DMSL Seating Layout

I’m currently helping a friend out to model an interior layout for the class 151, but on the DMSL, specifically on the area nearest to the driving cab, we can’t seem to figure out what layout is used there, we think it’s a 2+2 layout with the seats on the wall to the driving cab being foldable...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Failed Unit]

I assume, BR must have decided to try and keep things cheap and ”no-body complained“ about the pacers. For some reason on the 150/1 units they decided to go high back seats matching many units getting delivered at the time such as the 317/3 and the 318s. However in the period they were build low back was the preferred seating on units such as the 455. I recall a lot of people complained about the 150/1 seatings when they were introduce but the DMUs they replaced were much more springy.

I never really understood the BR unit policy back then. They often appeared on the diagram that included the 0729 Lincoln - Birmingham, which has a prime time so I suspect needed to be 3 car. However that could just as easily be a 150/0. I saw them lots on the Derby - Matlock. I assume they were limited on the routes they could cover because of both clearance and driver knowledge. They did make it to Cleethorpes (but not often)

 

[Helvellyn]

I assume, BR must have decided to try and keep things cheap and ”no-body complained“ about the pacers. For some reason on the 150/1 units they decided to go high back seats matching many units getting delivered at the time such as the 317/3 and the 318s. However in the period they were build low back was the preferred seating on units such as the 455. I recall a lot of people complained about the 150/1 seatings when they were introduce but the DMUs they replaced were much more springy.

The two 151s (and 150/0s) were prototypes though, and it's not as if the majority of first generation DMUs had high-backed seating. I recall reading the centre cars of the 151s had some trial seating, so it would suggest BR did want to get feedback on what the best seating for production units should be. Given how few interior photos of the 151s exist I guess it's extremely unlikely we'll see what the other options were.

 

[eastwestdivide]

I rode on a 151 on the shuttle to a Landore open day in 1985, but didn’t photograph the interior and can’t remember it now. Maybe someone on those shuttles would have taken some?

 

[hexagon789]

Another interior pic from Flickr, shows the layout across the length of a coach better:

55403

One of only 2 units built, a 3 car Class 151 1985 built Metro-Cammell prototype 151002 (55203, 55403, 55303) dmu, this is the interior Motor Standard (MS) 55403 at Wirksworth which is at the end of the 9 mile freight only branch from Duffield, with Venture Rail "Wirksworth Phoenix" on one of six...

flic.kr

(ee20213 on Flickr)

 

[Harpers Tate]

Loot all those windows. (cf. Class 150).

 

[Ash Bridge]

Loot all those windows. (cf. Class 150).

Seat alignment looks nigh on perfect too!

 

[Failed Unit]

The two 151s (and 150/0s) were prototypes though, and it's not as if the majority of first generation DMUs had high-backed seating. I recall reading the centre cars of the 151s had some trial seating, so it would suggest BR did want to get feedback on what the best seating for production units should be. Given how few interior photos of the 151s exist I guess it's extremely unlikely we'll see what the other options were.

I remember 150001 showing up in Lincoln with different types in each bay. Not may people switched bays, just people like be. Not that you could evaluate well on a 45 minute journey.

Indeed the 1st gen were low backed and very springy. Can’t recall if they were comfy. The units also rocked lots. The 151s were much smoother. There were many similar debates about the seat comfort back then. Many thought the prototype and production units were a step backwards. I liked the 150/2 (Ashbourne) the best for comfort but I was a child.