The Watercress Line in Hampshire has become the first heritage railway in the UK to take a Class 150 Sprinter Unit into its running fleet, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of modern railway heritage.
The second-generation Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), numbered 150231, has been donated by rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook. Built in 1987, the Class 150 is part of the iconic Sprinter family, a new generation of trains introduced by British Rail to replace first-generation DMUs.
Sprinters featured engines and passenger accommodation within a single structure, alongside modern power-operated sliding doors – a major step forward in design and passenger experience.
The Watercress Line team will receive an operational induction and staff training before the 150231 enters public service.
Earlier this year, the train was repainted in its original 1987 external livery, commemorating the introduction of the Sprinter type and filling an important gap in the historical timeline of multiple unit development. This took place at The Greatest Gathering in Derby, a ‘Railway 200’ celebration showcasing Britain’s railways, from the National Railway Museum’s Locomotion No.1 through to the very latest high-speed trains.
The arrival of the Class 150 150231 will address a long-standing operational gap for The Watercress Line, particularly for visitors travelling from Alton and the London end of the line.
Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line, said:
“We are delighted to welcome this iconic unit to our fleet. Since our previous multiple unit, the Class 205 Hampshire Unit, came out of service in 2004, we have been looking for an opportunity to fill in the service for our visitors from the Alton and London end of The Watercress Line. We hope to start restoration of the 1959 Hampshire Unit to be our mainstay for the Alton service, with this Class 150 in support.
“With the Class 150 joining our fleet, and the restoration of the Hampshire Unit planned, we can once again provide a service that connects perfectly with our steam-hauled trains.”
Stefan Rose, Chief Investment Officer at Porterbrook, said:
“The Watercress Line is a fitting new home for this Class 150 unit that has served communities reliably for decades. We are proud that this train will continue to be enjoyed by the public and play a role in educating future generations about the UK’s railway heritage.”
Unit 150231 was delivered new to Newton Heath depot, Manchester, in February 1987 before operating across multiple regions, including Regional Railways Central, BR Anglia, Silverlink Trains and Arriva Trains Wales. In September 1994 it was named King Edmund at Bury St Edmunds station, a title it carried with pride throughout its service life.
Its final working passenger service ran on Wednesday 9 July 2025, operating the 18:35 Shrewsbury to Swansea service, before moving to Derby to take part in The Greatest Gathering celebrations. It will now begin its next chapter in preservation with The Watercress Line, becoming the first of its class to enter heritage operation.
Richard Bentley, Operations Manager at The Watercress Line, said:
“If the Line had stayed open through the 1980s, this is exactly the type of unit that might have run here.
“The Class 150 will enable an earlier departure from Alton, improving flexibility and enhancing the visitor experience on operating days, while complementing the railway’s iconic steam services.”
Trustee and Alton resident Jonathan Morris said:
“It’s extraordinary to think that more time has passed since the Class 150 entered service than between the building of Canadian Pacific and the reopening of The Watercress Line. My children can enjoy this train today, and in years to come they will see it preserved as part of living railway history.
“We are hugely grateful to Porterbrook for their generosity and to the Greatest Gathering team for restoring it to its original livery.”
To celebrate the arrival of 150231, The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust is launching a new supporters’ scheme – The 150 Club – to help fund the ongoing restoration, maintenance and long-term care of this important unit, ensuring it remains part of the working heritage fleet for future generations.
Find out more by visiting: https://watercressline.co.uk/our-trains/diesel-locomotives/class-150-sprinter-unit-no-150231/
Image credit: The Watercress Line
