‘N’ Class 150/0 cut and shut

ADDING a unique multiple unit to the roster adds interest to any suburban operation and modellers of modern Black Country suburban railways have a couple of options for some individuality, including the two prototype Class 150s.

One Class 150/0, No. 150002, was further developed as the Class 158 test bed in the late 1980s before reverting back to a Class 150/0, creating a unique multiple unit. It was re-geared for 90mph and fitted internally with a variety of different seating and air conditioning units, becoming the short-lived Class 154 in 1987. It also tested different transmissions including ‘hot shift’ and Voith transmission coupled to Cummins engines. The centre car was stored for most of the evaluation period which included trial operations in Scotland and the West