Vehicle 50656 / 53656
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
| 4w/e 22/02/58 | New to | 86C (Cardiff Canton) | |
| by Oct-60 | Transferred to | 84E (Tyseley) | |
| 30/07/62 | Transferred to | 88A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 86A | |
| 4w/e 31/05/69 | Transferred to | 16C (Derby Etches Park) | |
| May-73 | Depot code change | DY | |
| 02/02/86 | Transferred to | AY (Ayr) | |
| Jul-86 | Withdrawn from | AY (Ayr) |
Notes
29th January 1958 - New at Swindon Carriage Works.
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
50656 - original number
53656 - from Jul-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Disposal
Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| TYS505 | 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Listed at TS - circa Oct-60 | |||||
| 50723 | 59265 | 50656 | Noted 14/05/1966 - R.C.T.S. Central Wales Scenic Tour with 51078 + 59436 + 51106 | ||||||
| EP494 | 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Noted circa Jun-69 | |||||
| 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Noted 02/01/70 - in Derby1 | ||||||
| 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Noted 22/02/1971 - at Crewe2 | ||||||
| 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Noted 02/10/1971 - at Birmingham New Street3 | ||||||
| 50704 | 59258 | 50656 | Noted 31/10/71 - at Derby1 | ||||||
| 50741 | 59300 | 50656 | Noted 16/01/72 - at Derby4 | ||||||
| 50734 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 11/05/73 - in Birmingham New Street4 | ||||||
| 50697 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 29/06/74 - on 12:11 Leamington-Birmingham NS | ||||||
| 50697 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 24/08/74 - at Nottingham1 | ||||||
| 50697 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 06/07/1975 - at Derby2 | ||||||
| 50697 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 05/12/1975 - at Loughborough2 | ||||||
| 50704 | 59274 | 50656 | Noted 28/08/77 - on 2050 Derby-Burton Relief with 50696 + 59290 + 50736 | ||||||
| 50704 | 59274 | 50656 | Noted 24/09/77 - at Grantham1 | ||||||
| 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 01/06/79 | ||||||
| 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 14/06/80 - at Norwich1 | ||||||
| 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 25/07/81 - at Norwich1 | ||||||
| EP516 | 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Listed at DY - circa Jun-82 | |||||
| EP516 | 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted 19/06/82 - at Norwich1 | |||||
| EP516 | 50730 | 59283 | 50656 | Noted circa 08/19825 | |||||
| 53725 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted 23/04/1983 - BLS Wyvern Express Railtour 53656-59531-53725 + 50717-59289-50653 | ||||||
| 53743 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted circa 03/19845 | ||||||
| 53743 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted 13/07/85 - at Norwich1 | ||||||
| 53743 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted 23/08/1985 - at Derby6 | ||||||
| 53743 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted 22/11/85 - on 11:35 Derby - Crewe service7 | ||||||
| 53743 | 59531 | 53656 | Noted 23/11/85 - on 09:22 Derby - Crewe service7 | ||||||
| 53743 | 53656 | Listed at AY - circa Jan-86 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Leonard Rogers
5: Eddie Knorn
6: Robert Chilton
7: Martin Baumann
Images:
28th July 1973
A Derby based Swindon Cross-Country set is an unusual site at Grosmont on Saturday 28th July 1973. The NYMR's AC Cars railbus can be seen in the headshunt. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th July 1981
Swindon class 120 DMSL M50656 leads the 0945 cross country service to Lincoln away from Nottingham on 4th July 1981. Bruce Galloway.
23rd April 1983
Set number: EP516
The Branch Line Society "Wyvern Express" railtour is seen during the lunch stop at Nottingham station on April 23, 1983. Swindon Cross-Country class 120 DMU MSL car M53656 is the end car, the Six Bells website lists the other vehicles as 59531 + 53725 and 50717 + 59289 + 50653. Jeremy Chapter.
23rd April 1983
Set number: EP516
The Branch Line Society "Wyvern Express" rail tour is seen at Butterley station on 23 April 1983 with (recently renumbered) Motor Second car 53656 leading. The Swindon-built Cross-Country units were always the most popular rail tour rolling stock (if not loco hauled). The Six Bells Junction lists the full formation as 53656 + 59531 + 53725 and 50717 + 59289 + 50653. Jeremy Chapter.
23rd April 1983
Set number: EP516
The Branch Line Society Wyvern Express railtour at Nottingham on 23 April 1983. M53656 is closest, the Six Bells website lists the other vehicles as 59531 + 53725 and 50717 + 59289 + 50653. Jeremy Chapter.
23rd April 1983
Set number: EP516
The Branch Line Society Wyvern Express railtour during the lunchtime stop at Nottingham on 23 April 1983. M53656 is closest, the Six Bells website lists the other vehicles as 59531 + 53725 and 50717 + 59289 + 50653. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd April 1983
The Branch Line Society Wyvern Express railtour at Sinfin Central on 23 April 1983. M53656 is closest, the Six Bells website lists the other vehicles as 59531 + 53725 and 50717 + 59289 + 50653. Stuart Mackay Collection.
9th February 1985
On board 53656 passing another Class 120 near Uttoxeter 9th Feb 1985. Kevin Watson.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 14th May 1966
The R.C.T.S. DMU Central Wales Scenic Tour at Llandovery on 14 May 1966. The Six Bells website lists the vehicles as DMU 50723 + 59265 + 50656 and 51078 + 59436 + 51106, Swindon and GRC&W Cross-Country sets. Norman Thomas courtesy S V Blencowe collection.
Date: 14th May 1966
Cross-Country DMUs of GRC&W and Swindon types with the R.C.T.S. DMU Central Wales Scenic Tour at Llanwrtyd Wells on 14 May 1966. The Six Bells website lists the vehicles as DMU 50723 + 59265 + 50656 and 51106 + 59436 + 51078 (closest). Norman Thomas courtesy S V Blencowe collection.
Date: 14th May 1966
The RCTS Central Wales Scenic Tour at Llandeilo on 14 May 1966. M50723 is closest, the Six Bells Junction website lists the other Swindon vehicles as 59265 + 50656 and the Gloucester as 51106 + 59436 + 51078. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 27th July 1979
A Class 120 DMU in Barnetby station while working a Cleethorpes - Birmingham service on 27 July 1979. The power cars were recorded as 50730 and 50656, the center car is presumably 59283. Note the set of drivers controls in their holder visible through the left cab window. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 23rd April 1983
Set number: EP528
Participants return to the Branch Line Society Wyvern Express railtour at Sinfin Central on 23 April 1983. The vehicles are 50653 + 59289 + 50717 and 53725 + 59531 + 53656. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 23rd April 1983
Set number: EP528
On 23 April 1983, the Branch Line Society "Wyvern Express" railtour is seen at Sinfin Central with M50653 nearest the camera. The full formation was 53656-59531-53725 + 50717-59289-50653. Jeremy Chapter.