British Rail Class 153  The British Rail Class 153 "Super Sprinters" are single-coach railcars converted from two-coach Class 155 diesel multiple units in the early 1990s. The class was intended for service on rural and branch lines where passenger numbers do not justify longer trains. In 1987/88, Regional Railways took delivery of 35 two-coach Class 155 units built by Leyland Bus at its Workington factory to replace older DMUs. In 1989 the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (WYPTE) took delivery of seven two-coach units for use in Yorkshire. After the Class 155s entered service, it became an emerging requirement for ageing rural and branch line trains to be replaced. In the early 1990s, British Rail decided to convert the Regional Railways Class 155 fleet into single-coach multiple units and to replace its fleet of Class 121 and 122 diesel railcars. In 1990, British Rail awarded a contract to Hunslet-Barclay with the work completed at its Kilmarnock plant in 1991/92. Seventy single-coach Class 153 multiple units were created and numbered 153301-335 and 153351-385. Individual coaches are numbered 52301-335 and 57351-385 (originally 57301-335). The seven WYPTE Class 155s were not included in the project. The layout of the original non-cab ends was different from the original cab end, so the ends are noticeably distinct, and the vehicles are not symmetrical. Their maximum speed is and they generally operate less busy local services. They are fitted with standard BSI coupling and are able to work in tandem with other multiple units fitted with Class 142, 143, 144, 150, 155, 156, 158, 170 and 172s. The new cab is smaller than the original Leyland cab and encroaches on the door vestibule area, providing cramped conditions for drivers and guards. All have gangway connections at either end to allow passengers and staff to walk between units working in multiple. These units also have the benefit of passenger door control panels at either end of the cars. Regional Railways operated Class 153s on many branch lines throughout the Midlands, Wales and Northern England. They were initially allocated to Heaton (15), Cardiff Canton (9), Plymouth Laira (10), Crown Point (16) and Tyseley (20). Due to their multiple working ability, Class 153s were often seen with other classes of Sprinter units such as Class 150 and Class 156s.