Vehicle 51591 / 55966

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Class 127

Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square / Red Triangle
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: Rolls Royce 238hp
Transmission: Hydraulic
Lot Number: 30521
Diagram: 588

Allocations

16/05/59	New to	Chaddesden	- stored pending allocation (although on lists as new to 14A)
3w/e 26/09/59	Transferred to	14A (Cricklewood)
06/05/73	Depot code change	CW
01/05/77	Withdrawn from	CW (Cricklewood)
19/06/77	Reinstated	CW (Cricklewood)
p/e 24/12/83	Withdrawn from	CW (Cricklewood)
Sep-85	To Parcels Sector at	LO (Longsight)
circa Dec-88	Sector Change to	RPXN
15/05/89	Withdrawn from	LO (Longsight) RPXN

Notes

24th September 1989 - Seen withdrawn at Crewe Gresty Lane

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

51591 - original number
55966 - from Sep-85 (parcels conversion)

51591 was involved in the following incident:

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10/10/64 - Between Milbrook and Wilshamstead, LMR

Fire involving Class 127

Class 127 on fire after breaking cardan shaft. M51591 (trailing car). 1 passenger killed, 4 injured. The rotating ends of the broken cardan shaft punctured the fuel tank. The resulting fire caused some damage to the trailing cab but did not penetrate the saloon. Examination of other units found that some 40 cardan shafts were bent, probably as a result of careless handling when torque converters were changed, and this was assumed to have caused the failure.

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Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	51591	59589	59619	51592					As delivered to Chaddesden sidings - 16th May 1959 - stabled pending allocation
	51591	59611	59637	51605					Noted 23/08/75 - at Kentish Town1
	51591	59629	59647	51635					Noted 17/01/76 - on 23.14 Luton – Bedford (no lavatory)2
	51591	59618	59645	51617					Noted 06/03/76 - on 06.15 Bedford – St. Pancras2
	51591	59589	59625	51633					Noted 06/06/76 - on 08.20 St. Pancras – Bedford2
	51591	59598	59642	51648					Noted 28/12/77 - on 10.25 Bedford – St. Pancras2
	51591	59594	59643	51633					Noted 08/09/78 - on 09.10 Bedford – St. Pancras2
	51591	59603	59648	51648					Noted 15/01/79 - on 15.16 Luton – Bedford2
	51591	59589	59619	51626					Noted 17/05/79 - on 05.05 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59602	59621	51637					Noted 03/07/79 - in St Pancras2
	51591	59602	59621	51603					Noted 18/07/79 - on 13.03 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59595	59626	51612					Noted 17/08/79 - on 16.05 St. Pancras – Cricklewood2
	51591	59589	59642	51649					Noted 27/08/79 - on 22.05 Kentish Town – St. Pancras2
	51591	59603	59637	51612					Noted 19/12/79 - on 07.47 Luton – St. Albans2
	51591	59608	59645	51615					Noted 17/02/80 - on 10.16 Elstree – Bedford2
	51591	59608	59645	51615					Noted 28/02/80 - on 15.35 St. Pancras – Luton2
	51591	59608	59645	51615					Noted 07/03/80 - on 12.09 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59614	59622	51606					Noted 18/04/80 - on 23.27 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59589	59644	51620					Noted 29/05/80 - on 16.29 St. Pancras – Luton and 17.25 Luton – St. Pancras2
	51591	59589	59644	51620					Noted 08/06/80 - on 16.20 Bedford – Cricklewood and 22.32 Cricklewood - Bedford2
	51591	59589	59644	51620					Noted 14/06/80 - on 20.45 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59589	59644	51615					Noted 29/06/80 - on 15.03 Luton – Cricklewood and 16.42 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59595	59620	51607					Noted 16/07/80 - on 06.38 Bedford – St. Albans vice loco hauled2
	51591	59595	59620	51607					Noted 19/07/80 - on 04.25 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59604	59620	51607					Noted 13/08/80 - on 20.59 Kentish Town – Luton2
	51591	59604	59620	51607					Noted 15/08/80 - on 15.00 Bedford – Luton2
	51591	59604	59620	51592					Noted 08/09/80 - on 12.00 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59614	59622	51642					Noted 14/11/80 - on 11.00 Bedford – Luton2
	51591	59614	59622	51642					Noted 16/11/80 - on 21.32 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59595	59644	51616					Noted 19/12/80 - on 12.16 Luton – Bedford2
	51591	59595	59644	51616					Noted 29/12/80 - on 23.10 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59595	59644	51616					Noted 28/01/81 - on 2C43 15.00 Luton – St. Pancras2
	51591	59606	59632	51599					Noted 17/02/81 - on 2K05 17.44 St. Pancras – St Albans2
	51591	59606	59632	51599					Noted 16/04/81 - on 2C42 14.00 Bedford – St Pancras2
	51591	59606	59632	51599					Noted 25/04/81 - on 2G11 11.35 St Pancras – Bedford2
	51591	59606	59632	51599					Noted 11/05/81 - on 2G30 22.25 St Pancras – Bedford2
	51591	59606	59632	51605					Noted 24/05/81 - on 2G01 06.30 St Pancras – Bedford2
	51591	59606	59632	51605					Noted 25/05/81 - on 2C38 12.00 Bedford – St Pancras2
	51591	59600	59639	51599					Noted 12/07/81 - on 2C18 19.50 Bedford – St Pancras2
	51591	59608	59641	51614					Noted 12/10/81 - on 2C03 02.30 Bedford – St Pancras (staff)2
	51591	59593	59646	51595					Noted 01/02/82 - on 22.34 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59631	59639	51595					Noted 29/03/82 - on 11.36 Hendon – St. Pancras2
	51591	59592	59643	51600					Noted 25/04/82 - on 10.22 Cricklewood – St. Pancras2
	51591	59592	59643	51600					Noted 21/05/82 - on 10.16 Luton – Bedford2
	51591	59590	59633	51618					Noted 02/08/82 - on 06.15 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59612	59633	51618					Noted 06/08/82 - on 18.25 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59612	59633	51618					Noted 10/08/82 - on 06.15 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59612	59633	51618					Noted 24/08/82 - on 10.09 Cricklewood – Luton2
	51591	59604	59622	51607					Noted 29/09/82 - on 16.03 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59604	59622	51603					Noted circa 10/19823
	51591	59604	59622	51607					Noted 03/11/82 - on 15.00 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59636	59614	51622					Noted circa 12/19823
	51591	59614	59636	51622					Noted 07/12/82 - on 17.25 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59614	59636	51622					Noted 09/12/82 - on 17.25 Luton – Cricklewood2
	51591	59636	59614	51622					Noted circa 01/19833
	51591	59614	59636	51622					Noted 07/01/83 - on 12.09 Cricklewood – Luton2
	51591	59602	59644	51596					Noted 17/02/83 - on 20.10 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59602	59644	51596					Noted 22/02/83 - on 20.10 Bedford – Cricklewood2
	51591	59602	59644	51596					Noted 26/02/83 - on 02.06 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59631	59608	51618					Noted circa 05/19833
	51591	59608	59631	51618					Noted 02/06/83 - on 03.31 Cricklewood – Bedford2
	51591	59608	59631	51618					Noted 21/06/83 - on 01.45 Bedford – St. Pancras2
	51591	59637	51611						Noted 22/10/1983 - Gospel Oak - Barking line3
11	55966	55967							Formation change - LO - circa Sep-85
920	55966	55967							Listed at Longsight - Summer 1986 - Parcels
920	55966	55967							Noted 13/05/89 - with set 915 (55975 + 55985) at Northampton

Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Phil Shatford
3: Eddie Knorn

Images:

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circa May 1959

An official image (Sam Lambert Collection, negative unknown) showing the interior of M51591 (DMBS from a suburban quad set for St Pancras, later Class 127), circa May 1959. This is taken at the cab end looking towards the van (behind the solid bulkhead). A swing door would later be added to the bulkhead with the windows (and a seat removed on either side). British Railways.

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circa May 1959

An official image (Sam Lambert Collection, negative unknown) showing a side view of M51591 (DMBS from a suburban quad set for St Pancras, later Class 127). Cricklewood Carriage sidings, circa May 1959. British Railways.

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circa May 1959

An official image (Sam Lambert Collection, negative unknown) showing a suburban quad set for St Pancras, later Class 127 with M51591 closest. Cricklewood Carriage sidings, circa May 1959. British Railways.

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circa May 1959

An official image (Sam Lambert Collection, negative unknown) showing the front end of M51591 (DMBS from a suburban quad set for St Pancras, later Class 127). Cricklewood Carriage sidings, circa May 1959. British Railways.

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May 1983

Class 127 DMBS M51591 at Derby Etches Park after repainting into green livery in May 1983. Michael Boot.

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May 1983

51591 Standing in Etches Park on release from Derby C&W May 1983. Last C3 Repair with the added plates indicating she had done 1,250, 000 miles Michael Boot.

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May 1983

The cab front of 51591 after painting into green livery in May 1983. Taken at Etches Park depot. Michael Boot.

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18th May 1983

Class 127 DMBS 51591 seen being hauled by a peak at Leicester. It, and the blue car behind, appears to be ex-works. 18th May 1983. Eastwestdivide.

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July 1983

Class 127 DMBS M51591 in green livery in the sidings at Bedford. Taken in the week 4th-8th July 1983. John Crooks.

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9th July 1983

Doyen class 127 DMBS M51591 arriving at St.Pancras, recently gaining green livery. HST power car 43156 visible beyond. Saturday 9th July 1983 Iain Reid.

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Unknown date

M51591 at Bedford Carriage. Date unknown. Ian McDonald.

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Unknown date

M51591 at Bedford Carriage. Date unknown. Ian McDonald.

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Unknown date

M51591 at Bedford Carriage. Date unknown. Ian McDonald.

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Unknown date

M51591 at Bedford Carriage. Date unknown. Ian McDonald.

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1985

Life After Death. Converted Class 127 Parcels DMU stabled in the bay at the north end of Carlisle Citadel station. After withdrawal, a number of Class 127 vehicles were eventually stored at Carlisle Kingmoor Yard. Railcar shows the work to convert some vehicles to parcels use was undertaken at Carlisle Currock. M55966 is presumably coupled cab to cab with M55967. Probably Autumn 1985. alicia hartman.

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Autumn 1985

Reclaimed from the National Railway Museum, M51591 freshly repainted at Carlisle Currock after its conversion to a parcel unit in autumn 1985. The vehicle number still has to applied - it will become 55966. The roller shutter doors have not been fitted at this stage. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The cab front of the green Class 127 DPU at Longsight depot in early October 1985. Which of the two vehicles is it? 55966 only had one windscreen wiper and two overhead warning flashes, the other power car had two wipers and one flash. There are some differences from its 1983 repaint into green, at that time red triangles were painted onto the jumper sockets, and there was no black edging to the top cream lining. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The interior of a Class 127 DPU, thought to be 55966, in early October 1985. This looks from the front of the vehicle towards the rear. Michael Boot.

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early October 1985

Set number: 920

Set 920 55966 & 55967 Ex 51591 & 51610 standing at Longsight after conversion at Carlisle Currock in early October 1985. These units were incidental in keeping Longsight TMD open, this was down to the wheel drop. It was the only depot that the Twin Disc Torque Converter and Rolls Royce 823 engine could be changed as a unit. Longsight was the owning/maintaining depot with servicing at outstations. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The newly fitted roller shutter door on the drivers side of 55966, shown in the closed position. Taken at Longsight depot in early October 1985. Note the plated over bodyside windows are painted in green gloss but the plated over droplights on the doors are matt black. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The newly fitted roller shutter door on the drivers side of 55966, shown in the open position. Taken at Longsight depot in early October 1985. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

A roller shutter door fitted to a Class 127 DPU, thought to be 55966, in early October 1985. The white brackets held timber beams to protect them from runaway BRUTEs and protect the staff of the doors were open when not in a platform. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The front end of a Class 127 DPU, thought to be 55966, in early October 1985. Note the emergency tool cupboard beside the van, and the chequer plate floor strenthening for BRUTEs is only it this end of the vehicle (they could also be loaded in the van). Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The interior of a Class 127 DPU, thought to be 55966. This is looking from the rear of the vehicle towards the cab. At this end there are timber strips at floor level to prevent BRUTEs from damaging the bodysides. The two metal boxes are covers to protect the radiator header tanks. Michael Boot.

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October 1985

The interior of a Class 127 DPU 55966, in early October 1985. This is taken in the guards van looking to the front of the vehicle, and shows the large cut out added to the partition (which was solid in passenger days) to allow BRUTEs to pass through. Michael Boot.

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Unknown date

Set number: 920

55966 (51591) is on the rear of parcels set 920 at Manchester Victoria. Undated. Malcolm Clements.

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Unknown date

The plaque carried on 51591/55966 from 1983 when it was painted into a retro-green livery. Mike Bunker.

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2nd March 1986

Set number: 920

Former Bedford-St Pancras Class 127 Driving cars now with roller shutter doors as M55966 + M55967. The unit was stabled at Croft Street Sidings adjacent to the Preston Power Box on March 2nd 1986. One of 11 similar units converted, Set 920 was finished in retro BR Green livery. The nearest car in this view had been turned-out in green for its last period of passenger service when allocated to Cricklewood Depot. The unit was adorned with a plaque commemorating "The First Unit, 1,250,000 miles, Bedford-St Pancras". Following replacement by new Class 317 EMU's, car M51591 was selected for the National Collection at York, but when BR were short of one car to complete the 11 Parcel Units, the NRM handed the car back for conversion. As a consolation the finished unit (920) was finished in BR Green. Martyn Hilbert.

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21st April 1986

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels set 55966 + 55967 at Chester depot on the 21st April 1986. Hamish Stevenson.

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6th July 1986

Set number: 920

Parcels conversion 55966 / 55967 at Southport on 6 June 1986. Jerry Glover.

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Unknown date

55966 at Buxton. Date unknown. Chris Lings.

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1987

Set number: 920

The plaque fitted to 55966 (ex-51591) celebrating it's high mileage - an average of 52,000 miles a year, a thousand miles a week! Graham Baker.

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1987

Set number: 920

The drivers controls of a Class 127. This was 55966 at Bletchley in 1987. Graham Baker.

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1987

Set number: 920

Retro-green Class 127 parcels vehicle 55966 at Bletchley in 1987. Graham Baker.

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30th March 1987

Set number: 920

55966 & 55967 at Preston at 11.20pm on 30/03/1987 about to head south on a parcels service Deane Baker.

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22nd May 1987

Set number: 920

55966, 55967 and 47357 in Preston station on 22-05-87. Vincent Haworth.

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10th June 1988

Set number: 920

Seen at Buxton on the 10th June 1988 is Longsight allocated Class 127 parcels DMU set 920, 55966 (51591) closest. The plaque by the drivers window reads "1959 1,250,000 miles 1983". Andrew J Crowther.

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circa August 1988

Set number: 920

Derby class 127 2-car diesel-hydraulic parcels unit 920 (M55966 & M55967) of Longsight Diesel TMD at Crewe station - circa 08/1988. 53A Models of Hull Collection.

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29th August 1988

Set number: 920

In 1985, 22 redundant power Class 127 ex-Bedford-St.Pancras (Bed Pan) diesel-hydraulic cars, including the first built, No.51591, were rebuilt to form 11 two-car parcels units and repainted into BR green livery. Vehicles were renumbered 55966-987, and formed into sets 910 to 920. They were fitted with roller shutter doors and were based at Chester depot. They lasted in service until withdrawal in 1989. Unit 55966, seen here at Bletchley on 29th August 1988 in the company of 55967, was converted from unit 'Bed-Pan' unit No.51591, and was subsequently preserved at the Midland Railway Centre upon withdrawal from BR service. Gordon Edgar.

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8th October 1988

Set number: 920

The plaque records that as M51591 it achieved 1.25 million miles in service, taken at Manchester Victoria on 8/10/88. Paul Moxon.

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8th April 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 55966, set number 920, is seen stabled at Tyseley on 08.04.1989 carrying green livery with Express Parcels logos, but the red plaques have been removed. Andy Cole.

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8th April 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 55966, set number 920, is seen stabled at Tyseley on 08.04.1989 carrying green livery with Express Parcels logos, but the red plaques have been removed. Andy Cole.

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12th April 1989

Set number: 920

Converted class 127 M55966 + M55967 heads south past the site of Finedon station on the 12th April 1989. Mike Dean.

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13th May 1989

Set number: 920

On Saturday 13th May 1989 sets 915 (furthest, 55975 + 55985) and 920 (55966 + 55967) pass up the centre Road at Northampton Station. AndrewHA.

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29th December 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels units stored at Crewe on 29th December 1989, including green vehicle 55966, which has had its "1,250,000 miles" plaque removed. Michael Kaye 55A.

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29th December 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels vehicles stored at Crewe on 29th December 1989, including green set 920 formed of 55966 and 55967. Michael Kaye 55A.

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January 1990

Set number: 920

55966 at Crewe Basford Hall in January 1990. Note the 'B' after the set number - its partner 55967 carried the letter 'A'. S Gaskell.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

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Date: 12th April 1981

Four-car Class 127 lead by 51599 followed by 59632, 59606 and 51591 on the bank behind Scratchwood Services on the M1, on 12 April 1981. Robert Chilton.

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Date: October 1985

Class 127 DPU 55967 + 55966 at Longsight depot in early October 1985, fresh from conversion at Carlisle Currock. They have yet to receive their set number (920) and Red Star bodyside stickers. Michael Boot.

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Date: 21st April 1986

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels set 55967 + 55966 at Chester depot on the 21st April 1986. Hamish Stevenson.

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Date: circa mid-1986

Set number: 920

Retro-green Class 127 parcel DMU set 920 (55967 + 55966) on Chester depot circa mid-1986. Mike Bunker.

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Date: circa mid-1986

Set number: 920

Retro-green Class 127 parcel DMU set 920 (55967 + 55966) in Liverpool Lime Street station circa mid-1986. Mike Bunker.

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Date: 19th July 1986

Set number: 920

Retro-green parcels set 55967 / 55966 at the Carlisle Upperby open day on 19/7/86. Paul Moxon.

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Date: 19th July 1986

Set number: 920

Retro-green parcels set 55967 / 55966 at the Carlisle Upperby open day on 19/7/86. Jerry Glover.

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Date: October 1986

Set number: 920

Class 127 diesel-hydraulic parcels unit set 920 (55967 55966) arriving at Manchester Victoria. October 1986. Ian Charles.

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Date: 12th July 1987

Set number: 920

Class 127 Parcels unit 55967 (ex-51610) + 55966 (ex-51591) at Doncaster on 12 July 1987. Rob Paterson.

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Date: circa 1988

Set number: 920

Retro-green converted Class 127 parcels DMU set 920 (55967 + 55966) in platform 3B at Preston in the late 1980s. Curly42.

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Date: 10th June 1988

Set number: 920

Longsight allocated Class 127 parcels set 920, 55967 (ex-51610) + 55966 (ex-51591) at Buxton on the 10th June 1988. Andrew J Crowther.

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Date: 20th August 1988

Set number: 918

When the Class 127 DMUs finally bowed out of the St. Pancras - Bedford services, 22 power cars were resurrected from store at Carlisle Upperby (one of them, the pioneer 51591, was re-claimed from the NRM) and converted for parcels use. They were formed into 11 two car sets and allocated to Longsight in Manchester. Here set 918 with 55978 at the rear of 55968 is being led by set 912 (55972 & 55982) at Stafford, 20/Aug/1988. Robert Chilton.

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Date: 8th October 1988

Set number: 920

55967 paired with 55966, displaying a headcode for either a Man Vic-Barrow or Preston van train, they were stabled at Manchester Victoria on 8/10/88. Paul Moxon.

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Date: 25th February 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels set 920 (55967 + 55966) at Crewe on 25-2-89. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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Date: 6th May 1989

Set number: 920

Class 127 parcels set 920 formed 55967 and 55966, with another set in standard Red Star livery and a tail load forming the 3V20 Manchester Piccadilly - Bristol Temple Meads at Crewe on 6/May/1989 despite what the headcode says. The blue pair appear to be a scratch set containing two former Newspapers 'A' cars (no bodyside branding), fairly common towards the end of 127 parcels operations to keep things going - there is barely a week left before all were withdrawn. They also have mismatching Red Star logos. Both the green vehicles were preserved, the leading car 55967 (formerly 51610) went to Rogart Station and the second vehicle 55966 (formerly the pioneer class 127 51591) went to the Midland Railway - Butterley where another parcels 127 no. 55976 (formerly 51625) had been acquired and painted green to match. Many years later 51610 was sold from Rogart and joined the other two at the Midland Railway - Butterley. Image copyright © John Griffiths, published with Robert Chilton Collection.

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Date: 13th May 1989

Set number: 915

At approx 1500hrs on Saturday 13th May 1989 sets 915 (55975 + 55985) and 920 (55966 + 55967) creep slowly up the centre Road at Northampton Station. Their destination unknown, by 1100hrs the following Day all 4 cars were tucked up inside the DMU Shed at Manchester's Longsight Depot. AndrewHA.

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Date: 8th July 1989

Set number: 920

Three withdrawn Class 127 parcel sets sit around the back of the goods shed at Gresty Lane, Crewe on 8th July 1989. Closest is the green set 55967 / 55966. Paul James.

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Date: 24th September 1989

Set number: 920

Set 920 M55967 + M55966 stored out of service at Crewe Gresty Lane 24-9-89. Kevin Dowd.

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Date: 30th September 1989

Set number: 920

M55967, ex Class 127 DMU M51610, converted for parcels use with the addition of roller shutter doors, sits around the back of the goods shed at Gresty Lane, Crewe, on 30September 1989. It carries the set number 920, it's partner is M55966, and there are another two Class 127 parcel set behind in blue. Paul James.