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<- 55996 | 55997 | 55998 ->

Vehicle 55997 / 975385


Class 129

Builder: Cravens
Layout: Parcels Van
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Yellow Diamond
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30418
Diagram: 531

Allocations

Jul-58 New to 5B (Crewe South)
Sep-58 Transferred to 12B (Carlisle Upperby)
Jun-60 Transferred to 14A (Cricklewood)
5w/e 30/07/60 Transferred to 12B (Carlisle Upperby)
3w/e 03/05/69 Transferred to 9D (Newton Heath)
4w/e 31/10/71 Transferred to 6A (Chester)
06/05/73Depot code changeCH
14/10/73 Withdrawn from CH (Chester)
03/05/75 To departmental stock RTC (Derby RTC)
circa Jan-86 Withdrawn

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

55997 - original number
975385 - from Apr-75 (departmental stock)

Department Use as RDB975385

Laboratory Coach 9, name Hydra from 1980. From 4/75 to 1985.

Disposal

Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester

Images:

Class 129 DMU at Carlisle

29th August 1966

With two jumper cables hanging down suggesting it has recently been uncoupled from a Derby Lightweight unit, DMPV M55997 is seen in Carlisle station on the 29th August 1966. Michael Mensing.

Class 129 DMU at Newton Heath

10th April 1971

Cravens class 129 motor parcels van No.M55997 is seen at Newton Heath depot on 10th April 1971, with the new diesel depot under construction behind. This MPV operated with the Derby Lightweight units on the Maryport and Carlisle Line for many years before reallocation to Chester. M55997 was the first of the three 150hp AEC-engined parcels vans in this class and were built by Cravens in 1958. They ended their working days working from Chester and were withdrawn 1972/73. This unit eventually went to the Railway Technical Centre at Derby as RDB975385 'Laboratory Coach 9' named 'Hydra'. Gordon Edgar.

Class 129 DMU at Chester

19th February 1972

Cravens MPV's 55997 & 55999 at Chester General, 19/2/72 Anthony Griffiths.

Class 129 DMU at Chester

16th September 1972

An ex-works M55997 at Chester on 16/09/72. As the Class 129 was Yellow Diamond vehicle, it couldn't multiple to the vehicles that sandwich it. As the Met-Camm vehicle behind also appears to be ex-works, perhaps these vehicles were loco-hauled from works? Note the vehicle code painted on the cab is 'MPTV'. David Mant.

Class 129 DMU at Gobowen

25th February 1973

A Cravens single car Parcels Unit M55997 is seen approaching Gobowen Station on the 25th of February 1973. The KDH Archive.

Class 129 DMU at Chester

17th April 1973

Cravens parcel unit M55997 at Chester on 17th April 1973. One of only 3 built. James Hardwick.

Class 129 DMU at Derby RTC

1979

975385 seen 'behind the bike shed' at the Derby RTC in 1979. Malcolm Clements.

Class 129 DMU at Derby RTC

1979

975385 (ex-55997) at the Derby RTC in 1979. Malcolm Clements.

Class 129 DMU at Doncaster Works

February 1979

Three Class 129 Motor Parcel Vans were built by Cravens of Sheffield in 1958. All were withdrawn from service in 1973 but one, M55997 survived as a research vehicle at the Railway Technical Centre at Derby renumbered RDB975385 - Laboratory 9. The car became a test bed for Hydrostatic Drive in 1980, but was withdrawn for a second time in 1984 and scrapped at Vic Berrys Yard, Leicester. The car was at Doncaster Works in February 1979. Martyn Hilbert.

Class 129 DMU at Derby RTC

circa September 1980

A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385, circa September 1980. It has had one B4 bogie fitted with a hydrostatic drive, later on it would gain a second. British Rail.

Class 129 DMU at Derby RTC

circa September 1980

A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385, probably circa September 1980, showing the bogie fitted with the experimental drive. It was not the only DMU to have B4 bogies, the Class 123s were fitted with them and as was one Class 120 buffet car. British Rail.

Class 129 DMU at Old Dalby

7th September 1980

A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385 on the Old Dalby test track on 7the September 1980 after the former parcel vehicle began to be used for hydraulic transmission tests. The hydrostatic drive gained it the name 'Hydra'. British Rail.

Class 129 DMU at Vic Berry&#039;s

July 1986

Class 129 975385 (ex-55997) "Hydra" at Vic Berrys, Leicester, with a 3-car blue/grey Class 104 (right to left 53510 + 59210 + 53565), in early July 1986. Ian Francis.


The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

DMU

Date: 4th April 1968

Carlisle station platforms 4th April 1968. From left to right, a Cravens parcels car - certain to be M55997 - a 350hp shunter with MkI sleepers, a Derby Lightweight with a Keswick service, and a Met-Camm probably on a Newcastle service. Bryan Jeyes.

DMU

Date: 1972

Two Cravens DMPVs at Chester General, probably in 1972. The three Class 129 vehicles were transferred to Chester at the end of 1971, and 55998 was withdrawn by the end of 1972. For the vehicle on the right, the lack of bars on the first bodyside window shows us the guards compartment was at this end. The text under the window (Tail Load Tare Weight Not to Exceed 32 tons) was in a different style on each vehicle at this time, identifying it as 55997 (see image 6017). Stuart Mackay Collection.