Vehicle 50674 / 53674
Class 120
Builder: BR Swindon Works
Layout: Cross Country
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: BR Standard
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30334
Diagram: 586
Allocations
| 2w/e 31/05/58 | New to | 86C (Cardiff Canton) | |
| Jan-61 | Depot code change | 88A | |
| by Jun-62 | Transferred to | 84E (Tyseley) | |
| 10/09/62 | Transferred to | 88A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 86A | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | CF | |
| w/e 06/12/80 | Transferred to | CH (Chester) | |
| Jul-85 | Transferred to | NH (Newton Heath) | |
| Sep-85 | Transferred to | DY (Derby Etches Park) | |
| Oct-85 | Transferred to | AY (Ayr) | |
| Apr-86 | Withdrawn from | AY (Ayr) |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
50674 - original number
53674 - from Apr-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Modifications
p/e 12/08/72 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 24/07/76 - Leyland engines fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated circa 06/1976 released in blue/grey livery - C2R overhaulDisposal
Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 31/12/68 - at Cardiff1 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 15/04/69 - at Selly Oak1 | ||||||
| CTN520 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Listed at 86A - May-70 | |||||
| CTN520 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Listed at Canton - circa Jan-71 | |||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 20/08/1971 - at Abergavenny2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 26/08/1971 - at Newport2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 18/09/1971 - at Crewe2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 02/11/72 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 30/06/1973 - at Newport2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 05/07/1973 - at Bristol Temple Meads2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 13/08/1973 - on 16:35 Shrewsbury to Hereford with 55029 locked out of use.3 | ||||||
| C520 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 06/09/73 - on Cardiff Canton depot4 | |||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 30/03/1974 - at Cardiff Central3 | ||||||
| C520 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 25/05/74 - on 2M67 1135 Cardiff-Crewe attached 55025 and C504 50715 + 59588 + 50665 | |||||
| C520 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 19/08/74 - on 1913 Cheltenham-Cardiff | |||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 26/08/74 - at Cardiff2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 29/08/1974 - at Cardiff2 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 29/08/1974 - at Crewe3 | ||||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 30/08/1974 - at Newport2 | ||||||
| C508 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Listed at CF - 01/05/1976 | |||||
| C560 | 51581 | 59587 | 50674 | Noted 08/09/76 - in Birmingham New Street4 | |||||
| C508 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Listed at CF - 31st December 1977 | |||||
| C508 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 12/01/1978 - Cardiff Central5 | |||||
| C508 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 25/08/78 - 2C58 1820 Bristol TM-Cardiff with C612 | |||||
| C505 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted 27/02/1980 - At Newport Station 09455 | |||||
| C505 | 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Listed at CF - 03/03/80 | |||||
| 50723 | 59278 | 50674 | Noted circa 08/19826 | ||||||
| 53723 | 59064 | 53674 | Noted circa 06/19836 | ||||||
| 53723 | 59064 | 53674 | Noted circa 07/19846 | ||||||
| 53723 | 59064 | 53674 | Noted 30/09/84 - on Chester depot | ||||||
| 53723 | 59064 | 53674 | Noted 17/06/85 - at York |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Jeremy Goodyear
3: Peter Wallwork
4: Gerald Brown
5: Shayne Lewis
6: Eddie Knorn
Images:
13th April 1962
A Swindon Cross-Country DMU - W50674 leading - is seen north of Hall Green on 13 April 1962. Michael Mensing.
circa June 1976
An official image (10 of 27, negative D766/3381/10) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows one of the seats in the 'front row' behind the cab. The seat has been recovered in a blue/green moquette with vinyl armrests and a plain blue cloth side panel. The lower half of the partition has had a dark blue vinyl applied. The bottom of the partition appears to have extra toe room extending a few inches into the cab (presumably into the boxed section seen in the seventh image in the album) - can anyone confirm this? British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (17 of 27, negative D766/3381/20) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling" and is presumably DMSL W50674. This shows the interior looking from the rear of the vehicle looking towards the cab. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (16 of 27, negative D766/3381/19) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling" and is presumably DMSL W50674. This is probably to show the new blue linoleum, but also shows the many floor hatches provided to give access to the underframe equipment. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (15 of 27, negative D766/3381/18) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows a ceiling in one of the vestibules of DMSL W50674. These were build with a ceiling lower than the saloons, it was flat at the height of the top of the door runners. In this refurbishment this has been retained, but the tungsten lights replaced with two fluorescent lights. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (14 of 27, negative D766/3381/17) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This detail shot inside DMSL W50674 shows the lower portion of the replacement ceiling next to one of the passenger vestibules. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (13 of 27, negative D766/3381/16) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the rear saloon of DMSL W50674 and the replacement ceiling. The bulkhead contain the oval mirrors common on Western Region DMUs, the notice with the arrow indicates the position of the emergency communication chain. Through the open sliding door is the rear vestibule with two toilets, one on either of the inward opening door to the next vehicle. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (12 of 27, negative D766/3381/14) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the interior of DMSL W50674 with a replacement ceiling. I don't have any information on this, but it appears to be made up of pre-formed plastic panels. I don't think this is the CIBA Giegy ceiling, there is another version in images 22-27 in the album (fitted to an Etches Park set). The centre of the panels seem to be suffering from distortion, where the far panel meets the bulkhead the centre is fairly straight, where it joins the panel towards the camera is is fairly curved, the next join less so. The panels are recessed for the two rows of fluorescent lights, which are of a different type from those fitted to other refurbished types. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (11 of 27, negative D766/3381/11) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows a heater thermostat on a wall in a passenger saloon. Vinyl has been fitted behind the luggage racks to protect the formica. There would probably have been a small reading lamp fitted on this portion of luggage rack, no longer needed with the fluorescent lighting. All Swindon-built vehicles had curtains in both first and second class when new. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (9 of 27, negative D766/3381/9) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the drivers compartment of W50674. Note the 'Loudaphone' handset for talking to the guard in the foreground. The two sliding knobs above it control the cab heating (hot/cold and direction). Below the ashtray are the horn lever end and wiper control. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (8 of 27, negative D766/3381/8) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the two controls in the cab for the Smiths heaters on the vehicle. These are the self-contained individual type, the other was a 'through' type using relays to control all the heaters in a formation. This version was also know as the clockwork type, since when the black switch in the centre was rotated it ticked as it slowly rotated back, activating the heater start events at timed intervals. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (7 of 27, negative D766/3381/7) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows a heater outlet into a cab on W50674. This is the non-drivers side door, the grille being on the bulkhead to the passenger saloon. The electrical box partly seen contains AWS equipment. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (6 of 27, negative D766/3381/6) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the number two engine and other underframe equipment on W50674. The large spring to the left side is for adjusting the tension on the dynamo belts, they connected to the output side of the gearbox. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (5 of 27, negative D766/3381/5) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the number two engine under W50674, a Leyland 680. The orange sticker on the left rocker cover reads 'Completed and Tested'. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (4 of 27, negative D766/3381/4) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the revised engine mounts (with the rubber triangle) at the fluid flywheel end of the engine that were intended to reduce vibration being transmitted into the vehicle. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (3 of 27, negative D766/3381/3) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the number one engine under W50674, which was the first of the class to be fitted with Leyland 680s. British Rail.
circa June 1976
An official image (2 of 27, negative D766/3381/2) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the ends of centre car W59278 and DMS W50674. The paint date on the buffet underframe is 18/12/75, the power car has a works date of June 1976. Note the exhaust is painted rail blue and only has a grille over the lower part, unlike the DMBC in image 1. The four sets of four studs to the left of the exhaust once held footsteps, normally the bottom one would be left in place. Also note the two different bottoms to the water filler pipes, the one on the buffet signifies that it is for drinking water. British Rail.
30th June 1979
Set number: C508
A line up at Gloucester Horton Road depot on the afternoon of Saturday 30th June 1979, with Worcester Class 08 shunter 08 778, Stratford depot visitor 37 263, and Class 120 Swindon Cross Country unit C508 (presumably 50674 + 59278 + 50723). Gordon Edgar.
18th May 1986
Vic Berrys. B4 bogie fitted M53674 (withdrawn April 1986) is right, and grounded on the left is M59679. Ian Francis.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 31st December 1973
Set number: C500
Swindon class 120 Cross Country DMU set C500 (presumably W50705 + W59265 + W50674) runs into Hereford on 31-12-73. Note the centre car was still operational as a buffet, it has "Buffet Car" on the side and a red stripe. Paul James.
Date: circa 1974
Set number: C520
Two Class 120 Swindon Cross-Country DMUs approaching Church Stretton from the Shrewsbury direction circa 1974. Leading is set C520 - W50723 and presumably W59278 (with red stripe for the buffet) and W50674. John Clark / Adrian Sutterby Collection.
Date: circa June 1976
An official image (19 of 27) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the short cardan shaft that joins the 'right-angle drive' on the rear of and driven by the engine to the fan on the radiator. The cup section at the fan end seems to be a revised arrangement with a rubber mount to reduce vibration and preventing the wear of the fan bearing that would produce a distinctive rattle noise. The castellated nuts on the fan are wired together in pairs, sometimes each would have a split pin instead. All the images in the album so far have been of W50674, but this (two of four) does not have a negative number where the others do, so could be a generic image taken elsewhere. British Rail.
Date: circa June 1976
An official image (20 of 27) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the short cardan shaft that joins the 'right-angle drive' (seen on the upper left) on the rear of and belt driven by the engine to the fan on the radiator. The cup section at the fan end seems to be a revised arrangement with a rubber mount to reduce vibration and preventing the wear of the fan bearing that would produce a distinctive rattle noise. All the images in the album so far have been of W50674, but this (three of four) does not have a negative number where the others do, so could be a generic image taken elsewhere. British Rail.
Date: circa June 1976
An official image (21 of 27) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the short cardan shaft that joins the 'right-angle drive' (left) on the rear of and driven by the engine to the fan on the radiator (right). The cup section at the fan end seems to be a revised arrangement with a rubber mount to reduce vibration and preventing the wear of the fan bearing that would produce a distinctive rattle noise. All the images in the album so far have been of W50674, but this (four of four) does not have a negative number where the others do, so could be a generic image taken elsewhere. British Rail.
Date: circa September 1976
An official image (18 of 27) from a internal BR photo album titled "Part Refurbished Class 120 Prototype 1 and 'CIBA Giegy' Ceiling". This shows the short cardan shaft that joins the 'right-angle drive' on the rear of and driven by the engine to the fan on the radiator. The cup section at the fan end seems to be a revised arrangement with a rubber mount to reduce vibration and preventing the wear of the fan bearing that would produce a distinctive rattle noise. All the images in the album so far have been of W50674, but this (one of four) does not have a negative number where the others do, so could be a generic image taken elsewhere. British Rail.
Date: 30th September 1984
Class 101 DMU 54347 + 51201 stabled at Chester depot on 30-9-84. Behind are 51194 + 54346 with Class 120 53674 + 59064 + 53723. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Date: 17th June 1985
A Special DMU; hybrid 120/101 set M53723 + M59064 + M53674 at York on June 17, 1985. John Carter.