close

Sign In


Not registered?
Forgot Your Password?

<- 55018 | 55019 | 55020 ->

Vehicle 55019 / 975042


Class 122

Builder: GRC&W
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30419
Diagram: 539

Allocations

Jul-58 New to 81D (Reading)
by Jun-61 Transferred to 83D (Laira)
10/09/62 Transferred to 84E (Tyseley)
01/01/63Boundary change84Etransferred from WR to LMR stock
Sep-63Depot code change2A
Jul-64 Transferred to 86A (Cardiff Canton)
by mid-Oct-65 Transferred to 84A (Laira)
Oct-66 Transferred to 86A (Cardiff Canton)
4w/e 04/05/68 Stored
Jun-68 Reinstated 86A (Cardiff Canton)
3w/e 03/08/68 Transferred to 2A (Tyseley)
3w/e 28/06/69 Transferred to 9D (Newton Heath) - for trials on the Bury to Rawtenstall line
2w/e 11/10/69 Transferred to 2A (Tyseley)
02/11/69 To departmental stock 2A (Tyseley) - route learner
by Dec-70 Transferred to D10 Preston Div.
by 01/03/81 Transferred to TS (Tyseley)
by 01/01/85 Transferred to LMR
Mar-88 Reinstated BY (Bletchley) - also now used for sandite
by 21/06/90 Transferred to TS (Tyseley)
by 20/11/91 Transferred to BY (Bletchley)

Notes

June 1969 - M55019 spent a few weeks allocated to Newton Heath depot during which it operating experimentally on the Bury to Rawtenstall line. It was perfectly adequate for the mid-week services but could not cope with Saturday loadings and the branch reverted to power twins, mainly Cravens 105s but occasionally Derby 108s until closure.
02/11/69 - After transfer to departmental stock it became a training vehicle in the Preston Division.
early Nov-69 - transferred to Carlisle
2nd July 1979 - DB975042 noted at Liverpool Lime Street.
31st October 1987 - Seen in Vic Berry's yard, Leicester for asbestos removal.

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

55019 - original number
975042 - from Nov-69 (departmental stock)

Department Use as TDB / ADB975042

Route Learner (TDB) then Sandite (ADB) from 8/93 From 11/69 to ?. Carried set number 960015

Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:


LA107 55019 Listed at - Apr-61
LA107 55019 Listed at 84A - mid-Oct-65
TY059 55019 Noted circa Jun-69
975042 Noted 31/10/71 - Guide Bridge area1
975042 Noted 22/04/1987 - at Crewe2
T007 975042 Noted circa 05/19893

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

Images:

Class 122 DMU at Southall depot

circa July 1958

Three pairs of brand new GRC&W units (single cars with driving trailer) on Southall depot. Closest is W55019 which was new to Reading depot in July 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 122 DMU at Penarth

21st June 1967

GRC&W double-ender W55019 at Penarth on 21 June 1967 after arriving with the 1.50pm from Cadoxton. A Derby suburban triple set is behind. Robert Thomas.

Class 122 DMU at Preston

circa early 1970s

Class 122 Route learner DB975042 and a Class 108 DTCL stabled in the sidings beside the old East Lancs platforms at Preston circa early 1970s. Adrian Sutterby Collection.

Class 122 DMU at Worsborough Incline

15th November 1971

DB975042 ex-55019 descending the Worsborough Incline with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley road learning special 15th November 1971. Keith Long.

Class 122 DMU at Wosborough Incline

15th November 1971

DB975042 ex 55019 desending the Worsborough Incline with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley road learning special on 15 November 1971. Keith Long.

Class 122 DMU at Dunford East

24th November 1971

DB975042 passing Dunford East with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley route learning special on 24th November 1971. Keith Long.

Class 122 DMU at Disley

9th September 1973

With the eastern end of the 2 mile and 346 yard long Disley Tunnel in view, a Gloucester RC&W Co 1958 built class 122 dmu 55019, now departmental route learning car DB975042, is captured on what was then a freight only route that is now part of the Hope Valley line to Sheffield. 9th September 1973. Andrew J Crowther.

Class 122 DMU at Whittington

Unknown date

LMR Class 122 route learner DB975042 at Whittington station on the Midland 'Old Road' from Chesterfield to Sheffield, circa early 1980s. Paul Redmond.

Class 122 DMU at Stockport

March 1977

Route learner 975042. I'd not yet joined the railway brotherhood when I took this at Stockport in March 1977. Arnie Furniss.

Class 122 DMU at Tyseley depot

20th April 1978

A publicity image (Central Photographic Unit negative W8378-4) showing many DMUs on Tyseley depot on 20 April 1978. In the foreground is a Class 122 - the windscreen wiper on the centre cab window shows that this is a route learner and appears to be 975042. British Rail.

Class 122 DMU at Leeds

1979

Route learner DB975042 in Leeds station in 1979. John Law.

Class 122 DMU at Leeds

1979

Route learner DB975042 in Leeds in 1979. John Law.

Class 122 DMU at Wolverhampton

28th September 1979

DB975042 at Wolverhampton on 28/09/79. Steve Jones.

Class 122 DMU at Derby Etches Park

Unknown date

LMR Class 122 route learner DB975042, possibly on Derby Etches Park depot, date unknown. Paul Redmond.

Class 122 DMU at Chesterfield

4th March 1982

Route learner TDB975042 seen in Chesterfield station on the 4th March 1982. Vincent Haworth.

Class 122 DMU at Toton

April 1982

Road learning DMU 975042 on Toton - April 1982. The travelling mess room. A very enjoyable couple of weeks was spent on this machine! Arnie Furniss.

Class 122 DMU at Bradway

April 1982

Driver C.E. Bowlas, Guard Arnie Furniss and Driver Bob Malpas. Photo of DB975042 by Howard Heyl in April 1982. On the route learning DMU near Bradway Tunnel, en route to Toton. We had three weeks on this and some of us knew Derby, Doe Hill, Westhouses etc. already so we had a great time watching the world go by and playing Scrabble! Arnie Furniss.

Class 122 DMU at Toton

April 1982

Toton shed from the road learning Class 122 DMU - April 1982. A very convivial two weeks spent on this single car DMU! Guard Heyl and myself already knew as far as Tibshelf in that direction and Derby in the other direction so a few games of scrabble or cards took place! Arnie Furniss.

Class 122 DMU at Toton

April 1982

The Blues Brothers on the Toton leg of their tour! DB975042 forms a backdrop at Toton in April, 1982, to some of the route learning contingent from Guide Bridge. Look how proud they stand, this sums up British Rail, a group of guys working for the UK wide network before Thatcher ruined it. From left to right - Bob Malpas, Eddy Bowlas, Norman Robinson, Frank something or other, Jack Wright, Bill Millerin and guard something or other? This was an amazing few weeks. Woodhead had shut, thoughts of depot closure had evaporated when new work was coming our way and the future looked hopeful. On top of that, many of us already knew Derby, Tibshelf and Westhouses so the bits in between didn't take that long to learn, meaning a three week 'jolly' to form some stronger bonds with fellow railwaymen, which was a privilege. Arnie Furniss.

Class 122 DMU at Kegworth

May 1983

Route Learner DB975042 at Kegworth in May 1983. Mel Smith.

Class 122 DMU at Buxton depot

27th August 1983

Class 122 Route learner 975042 inside Buxton depot on 27/8/83, with a Class 104 outside. The blue sign at the entrance to the depot begins 'DMU Only Past This Point'. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

Class 122 DMU at Chester depot

27th September 1983

Class 122 Gloucester RCW single car DMBS TDB975042 (ex-55019) with many missing saloon windows, Chester depot 27-9-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

Class 122 DMU at Carlisle Kingmoor

10th October 1983

Class 122 GRCW single car DMU route learning saloon (note the wiper on the centre windscreen), almost certainly 975042 (ex-55019) approaching Carlisle Kingmoor on the Down, 11-10-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

Class 122 DMU at Preston

29th June 1984

Gloucester Class 122, single car DMU, TDB 975042, originally 55019, runs through Preston, 29th June 1984. Paul James.

Class 122 DMU at Carlisle

1985

GRC&W route learning vehicle DB975042 at Carlisle sometime in 1985. David Rhodes.

Class 122 DMU at Manchester Victoria

9th February 1985

975042 (ex-55019) seen at Manchester Victoria on the 9th February 1985. Paul Moxon.

Class 122 DMU at Crewe

26th July 1985

Class 122 departmental bubble car 975042 at Crewe station on July 26, 1985. Jonathan Hazan.

Class 122 DMU at Crewe

26th July 1985

A class 122 DMU in departmental service - presumably 975042 - at Crewe on 26th July 1985. Jonathan Hazan.

Class 122 DMU at Crewe

27th July 1985

Class 122 GRC&W single car DMU as route learning saloon DB975042 (ex-55019) checking out Crewe the weekend after the station reopened following the big blockade, 27-7-85 probably. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.

Class 122 DMU at Tyseley

7th December 1985

DB975042 is seen stabled at Tyseley carriage sidings on 07.12.1985. It was converted from 55019 and was used as a route learning car. Andy Cole.

Class 122 DMU at Buxworth cutting

12th June 1986

Gloucester RC&W Co 1958 built class 122 dmu M55019, now departmental route learning car DB975042, is captured passing through Buxworth Cutting heading towards Sheffield on the Hope Valley line, 12th June 1986. Andrew J Crowther.

Class 122 DMU at Buxton

26th July 1986

GRC&W route learner 975042 stabled at Buxton depot alongside 45 012 on 26 July 1986. Keith Miller.

Class 122 DMU at Buxton depot

14th August 1986

Buxton semaphore, 14th August 1986. 47 131 and route learning car DB975042 are visible beyond, as well as a Class 108 on the left. Robert28194.

Class 122 DMU at Hereford

circa 1987

Single car unit DB975042 leaves Hereford with a "route learning" special to Worcester circa 1987. John Crooks.

Class 122 DMU at Great Goytre

17th April 1987

Class 122 single car route learning DMU TDB975042 heads south through Great Goytre, between Pontrilas and Abergavenny, on 17th April 1987. Paul James.

Class 122 DMU at Ford Bridge Crossing

21st April 1987

975042 approaches the crossing at Ford Bridge, 21st April 1987. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 122 DMU at Ford Bridge

21st April 1987

975042 approaches the crossing at Ford Bridge, 21st April 1987. Steve Davies Collection.

Class 122 DMU at Shrewsbury

25th May 1987

On 25 May 1987 I was on the tower of Shrewsbury Castle ready for a shot of D200 working a Cardiff to Crewe service. Shortly before this came along BR blue single unit, 975042, forming part of the departmental fleet. As it arrived at the station looking a bit dwarfed by its surroundings, including the Severn Bridge Junction signal box, there was no other traffic in sight save the 08 shunter. In the 2021 the signal box benefitted from a £250,000 refurbishment which, in times gone by, would quite possibly have meant imminent closure! Peter Tandy.

Class 122 DMU at Newport

19th August 1987

Route learner 975042 at Newport on August 19, 1987. Colin Brooks.

Class 122 DMU at Cricklewood

20th February 1988

975042 sitting at Cricklewood, 20/2/88. It carries a Vic Berrys sign in a middle window, presumably it's been for asbestos stripping. It still has AEC engines. Malcolm Clements.

Class 122 DMU at Old Oak Common CS

11th April 1988

975042 was originally built as W55019, a Class 122 single car unit built in 1958 and allocated to Reading for use on the many branch lines on the London Division of the Western Region. Departing RG in June 1961 it was reallocated to various other depots on both the Western and Midland Regions before being transferred to departmental stock in November 1969 as a Route Learner in the Preston Division of the LMR. It remained on these duties, operating from various Midland sheds until it was converted to a Sandite vehicle sometime around the turn of the 21st Century. After a period out of use it was purchased for preservation at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway .... Here it is seen on Old Oak Common for route learning duties on 11th April 1988. Nigel Mack.

Class 122 DMU at Birmingham New Street

29th August 1988

Headed by 975042 locked off to the public, the 13:31 Lichfield to Longbridge pulls out of Birmingham New Street on 29/8/88. PJ Evans.

Class 122 DMU at Bedford

17th December 1988

975042 at Bedford on 17/12/88. Robert Frise.

Class 122 DMU at Bedford

17th December 1988

975042 at Bedford on 17/12/88. Robert Frise.

Class 122 DMU at Tyseley

8th April 1989

Class 122 975042 is seen inside the factory at Tyseley on 08.04.1989. The closest buffer is missing. Andy Cole.

Class 122 DMU at Water Orton

Unknown date

Set number: T007

Class 122 Route learner 975042 (unit T007) seen passing Water Orton, date unknown. Bob Belcher.

Class 122 DMU at Ilford depot

13th January 1990

Set number: L119

Class 122 DMU, carrying the set number L119, but in reality Route Leaning car TDB975042, ex 55019, at Ilford EMU depot. Photo taken sometime during week ending 13th January 1990. Behind is a Class 108 DMCL or DTCL. Paul James.

Class 122 DMU at Leamington Spa

circa June 1990

Set number: L119

A busy moment at Leamington Spa in the spring of 1990. Platform 1 is occupied by Class 150 Sprinter, whilst an inter city liveried class 47 takes the down through road with a northbound cross country train and platform 3 is occupied by recently arrived class 122 route learner "Bubble Car" 975042 (unit L119). Bob Belcher.

Class 122 DMU at Leamington Spa

circa June 1990

Set number: L119

Seen Arriving at Leamington Spa on a route learning departmental duty in the summer of 1990 is Class 122 "Bubble Car" unit L119 (975042). Not the lack of a partition behind the driver. Until November 1969, this was 55019 in the passenger carrying fleet. I believe that shortly after this view (in July 1990) it was repainted into Network South East livery at Doncaster works. Bob Belcher.

Class 122 DMU at Doncaster Works

10th June 1990

Set number: L119

975042 at Doncaster Works on the 10th June 1990. S Gaskell.

Class 122 DMU at Doncaster Works

29th July 1990

Set number: L119

975042 - the former 55019 - seen recently repainted and on accommodation bogies in Doncaster Works on the 29th July 1990. The lack of partition between the cab and passenger saloon is a sign this is a route-learning vehicle. S Gaskell.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

1990

Set number: L119

Class 122 975042 and a Chiltern Lines 115 at Aylesbury in 1990. John Law.

Class 122 DMU at Reading

September 1994

Set number: L119

NSE liveried Class 122 975042 seen at Reading in September 1994. Tim Stubbs.

Class 122 DMU at Bletchley Depot.

16th May 1995

Berthed at Bletchley Depot route trainer 975042, ex 55019, on 16th May 1995. Ian Buck.

Class 122 DMU at Startford Low Level.

22nd September 1995

Route learner 55019 at Stratford Low Level on 22nd September 1995. Once on the North Woolwich line the Docklands Light Railway now works here. Ian Buck.

Class 122 DMU at Bletchley TMD

Unknown date

Set number: 122019

975042 at Bletchley TMD, date unknown. Graham Baker.

Class 122 DMU at Bletchley Depot

3rd February 2000

Repainted in Railtrack brown 975042 (55019) is stabled at Bletchley Depot on 3rd February 2000. Ian Buck.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

Unknown date

Set number: 960015

975042 stabled at Aylesbury. Date unknown. Robert Frise Collection.

Class 122 DMU at Crewe Diesel Depot

31st May 2003

Set number: 960015

975042 at Crewe Diesel Depot, 31st May '03. Steve Hodgson.

Class 122 DMU at Crewe

31st May 2003

Set number: 960015

975042 at Crewe Diesel Depot on 31st May '03. Steve Hodgson.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury depot

7th July 2003

Set number: 960015

Railtrack Class 122 in the midst of building work at Aylesbury depot on July 7, 2003. Stuart Mackay.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

25th August 2003

Set number: 960015

975042 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

25th August 2003

Set number: 960015

975042, 977873, 977866 and 977858 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

25th August 2003

Set number: 960015

Sandite car 975042 (set 960015) is seen at Aylesbury on the 25th August 2003. This vehicle was originally 55019. Robert Frise.

Class 122 DMU at Derby RTC

7th June 2004

Set number: 960015

Class 122 975042, set number 960 015, is seen at Derby RTC in Railtrack livery on 07.06.2004. This was converted from 55019. Andy Cole.

Class 122 DMU at Derby RTC

19th July 2004

Set number: 960015

Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 975042 (ex-55019) as 960-015 in Railtrack livery, Derby RTC from train 19-7-04. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

8th September 2004

975042 freshly painted in Aylesbury depot on 8/9/04. Stuart Mackay.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

8th September 2004

975042 during a repaint into the then current Network Rail livery, as part of a G-exam. Seen at Aylesbury depot on 8/9/04, other work included re-instating all the previously plated over windows, and fitting tripcocks for working over LT lines. Stuart Mackay.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

8th September 2004

975042 during it's repaint into Network Rail yellow livery at Aylesbury on 8/9/04. The doors are all open as I'd just painted all the door edges. Stuart Mackay.

Class 122 DMU at Ayslesbury

6th November 2004

Set number: 960015

975042 after it's repaint into the Network Rail yellow livery sits in Aylesbury depot D road, 6/11/2004. Roger Marks.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury station

15th January 2007

Set number: 960015

Sitting in the sidings next to Aylesbury station, 975042 seems to have the middle side window sheeted over. 15/1/07. Fred Clark.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

3rd March 2007

Class 122 975042 and Class 121 977858 stabled beside Aylesbury station on March 3, 2007. John Grey Turner.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

18th April 2009

Set number: 960015

Former Class 121 No. 55019, now unit Class 960 No. 960015 (975042) is stabled at Aylesbury on 18 April 2009. Brian Creasey.

Class 122 DMU at Aylesbury

27th July 2009

975042 at Aylesbury on July 27, 2009. Nigel Walls.


The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

DMU

Date: 18th January 1965

An official image from the Swindon Works Accident series, negative 5AB/54. Left to right are W50868, W59269, W55019. 18/1/65. British Railways.

DMU

Date: April 1982

Three weeks road learning at Toton, most of it on single unit DB975042 until it disappeared mysteriously on the last week. Here Guide Bridge Driver Norman 'Nobby' Robinson is seen here at the helm of the replacement 2 car unit, 56116 and 51124. Taken somewhere in the Hope Valley. Note the traditional brew can lid on the window sill! Arnie Furniss.

DMU

Date: 20th August 1982

The crowds have gathered at Doncaster to see the Deltics moved from Doncaster Works to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on 20 August 1982. Surrounded by Class 101, 110 and 114 DMUs Class 37 No 37100 is about to depart from the works with 55009 ALYCIDON and 55019 ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIER. Keith Long.

DMU

Date: 25th June 1994

Set number: L705

L705 (51400 + 51358) 117722 (51387 + 51345), ADB975042 and ADB977723 at Bletchley on 25.6.94. Stuart Mackay Collection.

DMU

Date: circa May 2002

Set number: 121027

121027 at the head of the line-up of stabled heritage DMUs on the Branch Siding at Aylesbury. Immediately behind is 960015 (975042). Greg Scott.

DMU

Date: 15th January 2007

Sitting in the sidings at Aylesbury station, 15/1/07 beside 975042. Fred Clark.