Workhorses

It's time for something a little different. Apart from the 'Pendolinos' and 'Super Voyagers', diesel multiple units make up the bulk of traffic through Winwick on any single day. These workhorses don't get much recognition by photographers but in today's post (17th November 2010) I am aiming to put this right. Like them or loathe them they are here to stay.

The montage pic I have produced depicts four types of dmu seen at Winwick. Top left is the least common of the four examples shown, a class 158, 158825, in an indistinct grey livery. The 182, class 158 'Express Sprinter' units were built by BREL at Derby, between 1988 and 1992. Most were 2-car sets but 17 were made as 3-car sets.

Top right is a class 142, 142041, in Northern Rail livery. Affectionately known as 'nodding donkies' because of the unusual 'nod' when travelling over a line imperfection, they were also built by BREL. Ninety six units, known as 'Pacers', were built between 1985 and 1987.

Bottom left is a class 150, 150146, in Northern Rail livery. 137 units were built by BREL between 1984 and 1987; they were known as 'Sprinters'.

The class 175, 'Coradia' units are pictured bottom right, built by Alstom of Washford Heath, Birmingham between 1999 and 2001. The 27 sets ( 11 x 2-car and 16 x 3-car) are leased by Arriva Trains Wales from Angel Trains. The unit depicted is class 175, 175110.