ScotRail ‘156’ moves to Northern

Ex-ScotRail 156478 has moved to Northern, whose livery it now sports after an overhaul carried out by Brodie Rail Engineering.

On July 8, it was collected by 156487 and moved from Kilmarnock to Heaton, via Airdrie and Bathgate.

Brodie Engineering said it was “delighted to announce a five-year agreement with Northern for the lease of 156478”.

It added: “Prior to going on lease, the unit has undergone substantial preparatory works including a full C6 overhaul, interior repaint and refresh, and exterior repaint and relivery. All works were successfully undertaken at Brodie Engineering’s Caledonia Works.”

The two-car diesel multiple unit was delivered to BR in February 1989. In October 2000 it derailed near Craig, in Dumfries & Galloway. Then in December 2014, it was seriously damaged by floodwater near Mauchline, also in Galloway.

After this latter incident, it was written off by owner Angel Trains, but was acquired by Brodie Rail Engineering in Kilmarnock and repaired, to then be leased back directly to ScotRail from October 2016.

In May 2022, ScotRail ended that lease and it was effectively acquired by Porterbrook, when it acquired Brodie.