First Place For Realtrack 'Sprinter'

The next livery for the Rapido Trains-developed Class 156 second generation DMU has now arrived in the shape of First ScotRail.

- Simon Bendall

STAKING a strong claim for the best new model of 2017 was Realtrack’s ‘OO’ gauge Class 156 DMU, the first examples in the ScotRail Saltire scheme having arrived back in the summer. Towards the end of the year, the second launch livery of First ScotRail started to arrive, allowing another look at the Rapido Trains-produced ‘Super Sprinter’.

Three different models have been produced in the First ‘barbie’ scheme, including No. 156467 pictured here (RT156-114). This portrays a unit with a full set of First Group brandings, this particular ‘156’ being so adorned between the autumn of 2006 and early 2015, when such logos and lettering were removed in preparation for the takeover of the ScotRail franchise by Abellio.

Strictly speaking, the modified cab front light clusters without the small vertical marker light date the unit to early 2012 onwards, but this will most likely not perturb many purchasers. The set is also one for West Highland Line fans, sporting destination displays of Oban and Glasgow Queen Street.