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<- 55022 | 55023 | 55024 ->

Vehicle 55023


Class 121

Builder: Pressed Steel
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30518
Diagram: 512

Allocations

Nov-60 New to 81C (Southall)
Apr-68 Transferred to 81D (Reading)
31/05/70 Transferred to 86A (Cardiff Canton)
Jan-72 Transferred to 81D (Reading)
May 1973Depot code changeRG
Jul-83 On loan to BR (Bristol Bath Road)
Sep-83 Ex-loan back to RG (Reading)
Jun-87 Transferred to OO (Old Oak Common)
09/12/92 Transferred to BY (Bletchley) NNDX
Dec-96 Stored HQ (Headquarters)
09/04/97 Withdrawn from HQ (Headquarters)

Modifications

p/e 08/09/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 13/08/77 - Leyland engines fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 05/12/1980 released in blue/grey livery

55023 was involved in the following incident:


Lying down Class 121 DMU at Taplow

26/10/89 - Taplow (near Maidenhead), WR

Derailment involving Class 121

Info from Peter Mullen and Martin Callaghan

A stone train became derailed and a staff passenger DMU struck one of the bogies which had become detached from a derailed wagon and was itself derailed, falling onto its side. More Details.


Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:


55023 Noted 27/08/75 - at Westbury1
L123 55023 Listed at RG - 01/05/1976
L123 55023 Listed at RG - 31st December 1977
L123 55023 Listed at RG - 03/03/80
55023 56284 Noted circa 04/19822
L123 55023 Listed at RG - 15/12/1982
55023 54284 Transfer to BR - Jul-83 - on loan from Reading
55023 54284 Transfer to RG - Sep-83 - ex-loan Bristol
B123 55023 Listed at BR - 01/01/85
L123 55023 Noted circa 02/19862
L123 55023 Listed at Reading - Summer 1986
55023 54283 Noted circa 06/19862
L123 55023 Noted 24/01/19872
L123 55023 Noted 29/06/1987 - at Willesden depot3
L123 55023 Listed at OO - Aug-87
L123 55023 Noted circa 02/19892
L405 51340 59491 55023 Noted 20/07/1990 - working from Oxford to Bicester. 55023 replacing defective 51381
L123 55023 Listed at OO - 21/01/91
L429 55023 59519 51409 Listed at OO - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool
L429 55023 51409 54495 Listed at OO - 12/08/92
L123 55023 Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX
L123 55023 Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NNDX
55023 55027 Noted 17/07/1996 - 1940 Bedford to Bletchley

Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Eddie Knorn
3: Robert Chilton

Images:

Class 121 DMU at Caerau

20th June 1970

The signalman collects the token from the guard of the passing Class 121 (W55023) at Caerau station on 20 June 1970. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Caerau

20th June 1970

The signalman waits to collect the token from the Class 121 (55023) at Caerau station on the 20th June 1970, the last day of passenger service between Bridgend and Cymmer. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Twyford

circa early 1970s

55023 is seen in Twyford station with a Henley-on-Thames service circa early 1970s. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Henley-on-Thames

circa early 1970s

A Class 121, thought to be 55023, sits in Henley-on-Thames with a Twyford service circa ealry 1970s. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

29th December 1972

Set number: L123

Class 121 no. W55023 (L123), awaits departure from Ealing Broadway for Greenford on 29 December 1972, while an unidentified English Electric type 3 (class 37) passes light engine westbound. Paul Braybrook.

Class 121 DMU at Henley

19th January 1973

Set number: L123

A single car Class 121 DMU (which appears to be L123/55023) is seen approaching Henley on the 19th of January 1973. The KDH Archive.

Class 121 DMU at Henley-on-Thames

1st June 1974

Set number: L123

Class 121 'Bubble Car' L123 (W55023) slumbers in Henley-on-Thames station before returning to Twyford on 1 June 1974. The original buildings and train shed were demolished in 1975, being rebuilt slightly to the south. Kevin Lane.

Class 121 DMU at West Ealing

February 1975

Set number: L123

Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar L123 (No.W55023) & Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) both in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends at Weat Ealing on a Greenford - Ealing Broadway service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.

Class 121 DMU at Reading or Southall

circa late 1970s

Set number: L123

Class 121 W55023 (and W56281 behind), possibly on Southall or Reading depot circa late 1970s. Paul Redmond.

Class 121 DMU at Swindon Works

13th September 1979

Set number: L123

W55023 at Swindon Works on the 13th September 1979. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Swindon Works

13th September 1979

Set number: L123

Swindon works on the 13th September 1979 sees W55023 in amongst Class 116/120 and Met-Camm vehicles. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

23rd October 1979

Set number: L123

Sunlight & shade as a grimy Class 121 single-unit W55023 had arrived at Ealing Broadway with the shuttle service from Greenford on October 23rd 1979. The 121's operated the 3.3 mile service from the Great Western main line at Ealing Broadway to the single bay platform at Greenford that was flanked either side by London Underground Central Line tracks. Martyn Hilbert.

Class 121 DMU at Banbury

26th January 1981

Set number: L123

Class 121 W55023 is seen in platform 2 of Banbury station with a DTS on 26 January 1981. Rob Edwards.

Class 121 DMU at Maidenhead

4th August 1981

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 standing in for a DMS in a 117 set (with 59519 + 51367) departing Maidenhead, 4th August 1981. Paul James.

Class 121 DMU at Twyford

15th August 1981

Set number: L123

55023 at Twyford after arriving from Henley, 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.

Class 121 DMU at Henley

15th August 1981

Set number: L123

55023 at Henley on the 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.

Class 121 DMU at London Paddington

1982

Set number: L123

55023 and another Class 121 bubble car in Paddington station in 1982. John Law.

Class 121 DMU at Banbury

24th December 1982

Set number: L123

Class 121 unit 55023 departs from Banbury with a local service for Oxford on Christmas Eve, 1982. Lewis Bevan.

Class 121 DMU at Windsor and Eton Central

1985

Set number: L123

55023 and a trailer car after arrival at Windsor and Eton Central in 1985. John Law.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

1985

Set number: L123

55023 working the Greenford - Ealing Broadway shuttle in 1985. Ian Docwra.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

circa 1985

Set number: L123

A hopeful guard waits for custom at Ealing Broadway, working the Greenford shuttle with 55023 circa 1985. Ian Docwra.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

Unknown date

Set number: L123

A Greenford-bound single car (L123, 55023) enters Ealing Broadway in the 1980s. Ian Docwra.

Class 121 DMU at Shiplake

1987

Set number: L123

L123 arrives at Shiplake in 1987. John Law.

Class 121 DMU at Oxford

May 1987

Set number: L123

Class 121 bubble car 55023 in Oxford station, May 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Greenford

18th August 1987

Set number: L123

Class 121 Set L123 on a 12XX West Ealing - Greenford service departs Greenford (at 13XX) on Tuesday 18th August 1987. Colin Brooks.

Class 121 DMU at Twyford

24th October 1987

Set number: L123

Class 121 W55023 Twyford 24 October 1987. Alistair Ness.

Class 121 DMU at Reading

November 1987

Set number: L123

A pair of single unit Bubble Cars on the Bedwyn shuttles seen at Reading in November 1987. Blue / grey 55023 at the eastern end and Network South East liveried 55020 is at the western end. Murray Liston.

Class 121 DMU at Paddington

January 1988

Set number: L123

55023 leaves a smoky trail behind as it leaves Paddington on the rear of this formation in January 1988. MIke Cooper.

Class 121 DMU at Greenford

May 1989

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 waits in the bay at Greenford, May 1989. Alistair Ness.

Class 121 DMU at Greenford

May 1989

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 rests in the bay at Greenford, May 1989. Alistair Ness.

Class 121 DMU at Southall

circa August 1989

Set number: L123

Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 on the rear of a Class 117 departing from Southall circa August 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Taplow

26th October 1989

Set number: L123

Fallen down bubble 55023 at Taplow near Maidenhead on 26/10/89. It had hit a bogie which had become detached from one of the derailed wagons while working a staff train. Martin Callaghan.

Class 121 DMU at Taplow

26th October 1989

Set number: L123

Class 121 bubble 55023 lies on its side after hitting a bogie which had become detached from a derailed wagon while working a staff train at Taplow near Maidenhead on 26/10/89. Martin Callaghan.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

circa 1990

Set number: L123

Pressed Steel bubble 55023 at Ealing Broadway circa 1990. Peter Brabham Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Southall

circa late 1990

Set number: L123

55023 at Southall, working as part of a Class 117 set circa late 1990. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Paddington

Unknown date

Set number: L123

A very nice line up at Paddington, with 55023 closest. Undated. Gazza Prescott.

Class 121 DMU at Paddington

17th June 1991

Set number: L429

NSE set L429 comprises a Class 121 bubble and two Class 117 vehicles (55023 and presumably 59519 + 51409) when seen at Paddington on the 17th June 1991. Mike Cooper.

Class 121 DMU at Ealing Broadway

29th September 1991

Set number: L429

Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car 55023 takes the place of a power car in Pressed Steel Class 117 set L429 at Ealing Broadway on 6 September 1991. John Carter.

Class 121 DMU at Reading

18th July 1992

Set number: L429

55023 at Reading on 18/7/92, attached to a two-car suburban / 108 hybrid, possibly 51409 / 54495. Sparegang.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

1993

Set number: L123

W55023 at Bletchley in 1993. John Law.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

1993

Set number: L123

55023 awaiting departure from Bedford with a Bletchley service, 1993. John Law.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

17th April 1993

Set number: L123

Class 121 'Bubble Cars' 55023 and 55027 stand at Bedford before working the 13:40 service to Bletchley on 17 April 1993. Brian Creasey.

Class 121 DMU at Lidlington

29th May 1993

Set number: L123

Towards the end of its working life, Pressed Steel class 121 W55023 was repainted in an approximation of its original livery. Here it is seen working a Bletchley to Bedford service near Lidlington on the 29th May 1993. Mike Dean.

Class 121 DMU at Stewartby

5th June 1993

Set number: L123

Bubble car 55023 enters Stewartby with a service for Bletchley, 5th June 93. 54A South Dock.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

30th July 1993

Set number: L123

Retro green 55023 at Bletchley on the 30th July 1993. Mark Fletcher.

Class 121 DMU at Wolverton Works

25th September 1993

Set number: L123

Class 121 single unit 55023 exhibited at Wolverton Works Open Day on 25 September 1993. This unit was in regular use at the time on Bletchley-Bedford trains. Lewis Bevan.

Class 121 DMU at Wolverton Works

25th September 1993

Set number: L123

1960 built Pressed Steel Co. Diesel railcar no.55023 (set L123) is seen in the works sidings at Wolverton Carriage Works on September 25, 1993 carrying early BR green which had been applied in March 1993 so the railcar joined the BR heritage livered fleet despite being operated by Network South-East. This railcar had been allocated to Bletchley Depot from 09/12/92 for use on the Bedford to Bletchley 'Marston Vale' line having moved from Old Oak Common Depot on the Western Region. After rail privatisation the unit moved to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway in March 1997 ahead of formal withdrawal which came on 09/04/1997. Adrian Nicholls.

Class 121 DMU at Lidlington

19th January 1994

Set number: L123

The 13.50 Bletchley-Bedford arrives at Lidlington on 19 January 1994. The train is formed by Class 121 no. 55023 (in green livery) with Class 117 set L709 (51344/51386). Lewis Bevan.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

20th January 1994

Set number: L123

Two Pressed Steel bubble cars, 55023 closest, at Bletchley on 22 January 1994. AndrewHA.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

22nd January 1994

Set number: L123

Retro-green Class 121 55023 at Bletchley with a classmate on 22-01-94. AndrewHA.

Class 121 DMU at Stewartby

March 1994

Set number: L123

Retro-green bubble 55023 at Forders Sidings, Stewartby's outer distant on the Marston Vale line, in March 1994. Nicholas Youngman.

Class 121 DMU at Millbrook

March 1994

Set number: L123

55023 is working a Marston Vale line service when seen at Millbrook in March 1994. Nicholas Youngman.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

28th March 1994

Set number: L123

The 17:50 to Bletchley at Bedford on March 23, 1994, operated by 55023. John Carter.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

16th April 1994

Set number: L123

Class 121 DMU No. 55023 stands at Bletchley working the 14:50 service to Bedford on 16 April 1994. Brian Creasey.

Class 121 DMU at Chalfont &amp; Latimer

May 1994

Set number: L123

In May 1994 55023 worked the shuttle service to Chesham as part of the "Steam on the Met". Here at Chalfont & Latimer. Ian Buck.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

25th June 1994

Set number: L123

55023 at Bletchley on 25.6.94. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Stewartby

26th November 1994

Set number: L123

55023 seen at Stewartby on the 26th November 1994. Ian Buck.

Class 121 DMU at Kempston Hardwick.

26th November 1994

Set number: L123

55023 calls at the little halt of Kempston Hardwick on the 26th November 1994. Ian Buck.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford Midland Road

1995

Set number: L123

Retro-green 55023 in Bedford Midland Road, 1995. Graham Baker.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

circa 1995

Set number: L123

Retro-green Class 121 "bubble car" 55023 seen at Bletchley. Date unknown, the white buffer edges suggest the 1994-6 period. Robert Forsythe.

Class 121 DMU at Kempston

Unknown date

Set number: L123

Class 121 bubble 55023 at Kempston, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

29th March 1995

Set number: L123

On a murky day 55023 waits departure to Bedford at Bletchley on the 29th March 1995. Ian Buck.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

circa 1995

Set number: L123

The Bletchley - Bedford line employed vintage class 121 single units in the late 1990s pending replacement by class 150s. Here is 55023 in the branch platform at Bletchley in circa 1995. Stephen Burdett.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford Midland

circa 1995

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 waits departure for Bletchley from Bedford Midland in circa 1995. Stephen Burdett.

Class 121 DMU at Woburn Sands

15th June 1995

Set number: L123

As a change to the ubiquitous NSE stripey livery unit L123 in BR Green livery is seen on the approach to Woburn Sands station on 15 06 1995. Paul Fleet.

Class 121 DMU at Millbrook

13th November 1995

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 forming a Bedford to Bletchley service departs Millbrook station on 13 November 1995. Andrew Walker.

Class 121 DMU at Millbrook

13th November 1995

Set number: L123

The signalman goes to open the level crossing gates at Millbrook station on the Bedford-Bletchley line as 55023 departs on a rather dismal 13th November 1995. Andrew Walker.

Class 121 DMU at Millbrook

13th November 1995

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 pulls into Millbrook on a rather grim 13 November 1995 with a Bedford to Bletchley service. Andrew Walker.

Class 121 DMU at Bletchley

August 1996

Set number: L123

Retro-green 55023 with a NSE-liveried classmate at Bletchley in August 1996. Nicholas Youngman.

Class 121 DMU at St Albans Abbey

11th August 1996

Set number: L123

At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.

Class 121 DMU at St Albans Abbey

11th August 1996

Set number: L123

At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

12th October 1996

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 at Bedford, probably taken at the open day on October 12, 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

12th October 1996

Set number: L123

Class 121 55023 at Bedford, probably taken at the open day on October 12, 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

12th October 1996

Set number: L123

Class 121 no. 55023 displayed at Bedford Open Day on October 12, 1996. Lewis Bevan.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford depot

12th October 1996

Set number: L123

55023 on display at a Bedford depot open day, 12th October 1996. John Grey Turner.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford depot

12th October 1996

Set number: L123

55023 at Bedford open day, 12th October 1996. John Grey Turner.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

Unknown date

Set number: L123

Set L123 - Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 - in Bedford station, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Class 121 DMU at Bedford

Unknown date

Set number: L123

Retro-green Class 121 bubble car 55023 at Bedford, date unknown. John Grey Turner.


The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

DMU

Date: February 1975

Set number: L281

Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) & Class 121 railcar L123 (No.W55023) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends passing Ealing on a Greenford - Ealing Broadway service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.

DMU

Date: circa late 1970s

Set number: L281

Class 121 DTS W56281 circa late 1970s, probably on Reading or Southall depot. Behind is 55023. Paul Redmond.

DMU

Date: September 1987

Set number: L128

Class 121 cabs at Twyford in September 1987 These two are W55028 (left) and W55023 (right). Alistair Ness.

DMU

Date: October 1987

A pair of class 121 Bubble Car single units 55023 and 55028 seen at Twyford in October 1987 on a service to Henley-on-Thames. Both had been reallocated from Reading to Old Oak Common a few months earlier. Murray Liston.

DMU

Date: October 1987

Set number: L128

Class 121 Bubble Cars 55023 and 55028 have arrived at Heley-on-Thames from Twyford and ready to return there late one afternoon in October 1987. Murray Liston.

DMU

Date: 24th October 1987

Set number: L128

Class 121s Twyford 24 October 1987. These two are W55023 and W55028. Alistair Ness.

DMU

Date: November 1987

Set number: L120

A pair of single unit Bubble Cars on the Bedwyn shuttles seen at Reading in November 1987. Network South East liveried 55020 is at the western end and blue / grey 55023 at the eastern end. Murray Liston.

DMU

Date: circa 1988

Set number: 201

One of the Class 101 Metro-Cammell sets that usurped the Pressed Steel monopoly on the Paddington local services in the 1980s. The unit (set L201, presumably 54070 + 51212) is seen outside the old carriage sheds at Old Oak Common, alongside one of the local Class 121 Pressed Steel 'Bubble Cars' W55023. Chris McKee.

DMU

Date: 17th April 1992

Set number: L127

55027 as part of a 'double bubble' set with 59519 & 55023. Seen at Paddington after arriving on the 12:48 from Slough, 17th April 1992. Gazza Prescott.

DMU

Date: 17th April 1993

Set number: L127

Network Southeaqst Class 121 'Bubble Car' No. 55027 with retro-green 55023 stand at Bedford before working the 13:40 service to Bletchley on 17 April 1993. Brian Creasey.

DMU

Date: unknown

Set number: L127

Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 in Bedford station, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

DMU

Date: 23rd April 1996

Set number: L131

A visit to Woburn Sands station on 23 April 1996, just in time to see 2 Class 121 single units, 55023/55031, depart with what I recorded as "the 14.00 to Bedford" (ie a Bletchley-Bedford train). Lewis Bevan.

DMU

Date: 11th August 1996

Set number: 117704

At Watford Junction on 11 August 1996 Pressed Steel Class 117 set 117704 (DMBS 51341 and presumably DMS 51383) is working the 08.27 To St Albans Abbey. Green Liveried Class 121 55023 is at attached to the rear. Dave Warby.