Vehicle 51580
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: 30515
Diagram: 636
Allocations
| Feb-61 | New to | 84E (Tyseley) | |
| by Jun-62 | Transferred to | 83D (Laira) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 84A | |
| Jan-70 | Transferred to | 82A (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | BR | |
| w/e 07/06/75 | Transferred to | LA (Laira) | |
| w/e 11/10/75 | Transferred to | CF (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 3w/e 07/05/77 | Transferred to | BR (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| w/e 21/05/77 | Transferred to | CF (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 2w/e 05/11/77 | Transferred to | LA (Laira) | |
| w/e 30/12/78 | Transferred to | CF (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 20/06/82 | Transferred to | NH (Newton Heath) | |
| 11/05/86 | Withdrawn from | NH (Newton Heath) | |
| Jun-86 | Reinstated | NH (Newton Heath) | |
| 07/07/86 | To Parcels Sector at | CH (Chester) | |
| 31/05/87 | Withdrawn from | CH (Chester) |
Modifications
circa Jul-70 - Dual AWS fitted
Disposal
Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted circa Sep-67 - in blue with small yellow panel | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to 82A - Jan-70 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 06/11/70 - at Cardiff1 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 06/03/1971 - at Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 20/11/71 - on Bristol Marsh Junction depot1 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 01/06/74 - in Birmingham New Street | ||||||
| B559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 17/07/74 - on 2C42 1737 Bristol TM-Cardiff | |||||
| B559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 15/09/74 - on 2B33 1200 Cardiff-Cheltenham | |||||
| B559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 23/11/74 - on 2V70 1745 Weymouth-Cardiff | |||||
| B559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 17/05/75 - on 2V70 11:45 Weymouth-Cardiff | |||||
| B559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 24/05/75 - on 2B35 (train unknown) with C346 + C500 | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to LA - w/e 07/06/75 | ||||||
| P559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 27/08/75 - on Laira depot3 | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to CF - w/e 11/10/75 | ||||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Listed at CF - 01/05/1976 | |||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 17/07/76 - on 2B04 0603 Cardiff-Bristol TM | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted Sep-76 - at Crewe with 50675/59292/507161 | ||||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 28/03/77 - on 2C10 0652 Weston Super Mare-Cardiff with B467 | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to BR - 3w/e 07/05/77 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to CF - w/e 21/05/77 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to LA - 2w/e 05/11/77 | ||||||
| P559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Listed at LA - 31st December 1977 | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Transfer to CF - w/e 30/12/78 | ||||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Listed at CF - 03/03/80 | |||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 15/07/80 - at Cardiff4 | |||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 24/10/1980 - At Malliphant Sidings4 | |||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 25/10/1980 - Working Weymouth to Cardiff Central seen at Newport at 19154 | |||||
| C559 | 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted circa 10/1982 - operating from Newton Heath5 | |||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted 13/10/1982 - Working Manchester Victoria - Oldham/Rochdale service5 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 51589 | Noted circa 01/19845 | ||||||
| 51580 | 59586 | 53664 | Listed at NH - circa Jan-86 | ||||||
| 53697 | 51580 | Listed at Chester - Summer 1986 - Parcels | |||||||
| 51574 | 51580 | Noted 09/08/1986 - 10.07 Llandudno-Man Vic (8-car)6 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Gerald Brown
4: Shayne Lewis
5: Eddie Knorn
6: Chris Moxon
Images:
2nd September 1961
W51580 at the front of the 6.25pm Oxford - Moreton-in-Marsh, seen in Kingham station on the 2nd September 1961. The set, which is towing two 4-wheel vans, would soon be transferred to Plymouth. Michael Mensing.
circa 1978
Set number: P559
Class 120 DMU set P559 (51580 + 59586 + 51589) in Torquay station circa 1978. Stuart Mackay Collection.
17th April 1981
Set number: C559
Swindon Cross-Country Class 120 DMU set C559 (51580 and presumably 59586 + 51589) working the 09:40 Milford Haven - Swansea service at Pembrey & Burry Port on 17 April 1981. Robert Thomas.
Unknown date
Set number: C559
In the late seventies class 120 set C559 arrives at Bristol Temple Meads. Ian Buck.
28th June 1982
Set number: C559
At the far end is Class 117 set B452, at this end is Class 120 set C559, which makes the closest vehicle 51580. Seen at Frome on 28/6/82. Steve Davies Collection.
27th May 1985
On a dull, overcast Bank Holiday Monday May 27th 1985, Swindon Cross Country Class 120 M51580 leads an Ormskirk to Windermere excursion through Midge Hall. The working was formed of a 3-Car Class 120 and a 2-Car Class 108. The disused platforms of Midge Hall Station, closed in October 1961 are clearly visible. When the Ormskirk line was rationalised in 1970, double track was retained from Farington Curve Junction on the WCML to Midge Hall. The former up line needed renewal by the early 1980s and was taken out of use in 1983. As a consequence, Signal MH14 at Midge Hall was relocated from the end of the old Up platform onto the middle of what had been the Up line. Martyn Hilbert.
7th September 1986
A two-car Swindon 'Cross Country' Class 120 DMU formed of Driving Motor Brake Seconds M51580 & M51574 back-to-back, was stabled in Croft Street Sidings adjacent to the Preston PSB on Sunday September 7th 1986. The unit spent its final period of operation in use as a mail/parcels set. Martyn Hilbert.
25th October 1986
Parcels set 51580/51574 wait at Chester in the rain on the 25th October 1986. Paul Moxon.
30th September 1987
51580 faces a stack of high density vehicles at Vic Berrys, 30/09/87. Malcolm Clements.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 15th September 1973
Set number: B559
Swindon Cross-Country Class 120 DMU set no. B559 (presumably 51589 + 59586 + 51580) is seen departing Maiden Newton, Dorset, with a service for Weymouth, 15/09/1973. Graeme Phillips Collection.
Date: 20th April 1974
Set number: B559
The RCTS 'Devon Rambler' tour at Heathfield station on 20 April 1974. It was formed of Class 120 DMU set B559, 51589 is closest, presumably with 59586 and 51580. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 9th August 1979
Set number: C559
Cross-Country DMUs leaving Bruton on 9 August 1979. Swindon Class 120 set C559 (presumably 51589 + 59586 + 51580) leads a GRC&W Class 119 on the 5.50pm Weymouth - Bristol Temple Meads service. Michael Mensing.
Date: 9th August 1986
Set number: BX490
An 8-car formation at Helsby working the 10.07 Llandudno-Manchester Victoria. The formation (closest the camera first) was 51927, 59390, 52049, 53634, 59387, 51934, 51574 & 51580. 9/8/86. Anthony Griffiths.
Date: 30th September 1987
Vic Berry's scrapyard, one of the 559xx parcels Class 120s sits on the ground, on the left 51580 sits on stands. 30/09/87. Malcolm Clements.