British Rail Classes 253, 254 and 255

Class 253, Class 254 and Class 255 are classifications allocated to InterCity 125 high speed trains in Great Britain.

History

Class 253 and 254

When built, from 1976, the InterCity 125 (125) units were considered to be diesel-electric multiple units, with semi-fixed formations of power cars and intermediate passenger-carrying trailer cars. They were all numbered in the 4xxxx carriage series set aside for HST and Advanced Passenger Train vehicles. Numbers followed those allocated to the prototype Class 252 unit, so power cars were numbered from 43002 upwards. Class 253 were Western Region 2+7 (two power cars and seven coaches) sets operating out of London Paddington, Class 254 Eastern Region 2+8 sets (with a second buffet car) operating out of London King's Cross.

This situation changed in the 1980s, since when the power cars have been considered to be locomotives, known as Class 43, and the trailer cars as hauled Mark 3 carriages, collectively known as an InterCity 125. Despite this change in designation, no power car or carriage was renumbered.

Class 255

In 2002, Class 255 was allocated for the reformation of some HST power cars and trailers into semi-fixed formation trains, to be known as Virgin Challenger units, for use by Virgin Trains after the introduction of their new 'Voyager' trains (Classes 220 and 221). These formations would have had power cars sandwiching one Trailer First, a Trailer Buffet, two Trailer Seconds and a Trailer Guard Second. These plans came to naught as the Strategic Rail Authority planned to transfer most of the stock to Midland Mainline for their London-Manchester 'Rio' services.

Formation

The vehicle types used to form High Speed Trains are listed below: