Vehicle 55023
Class 121
Builder: Pressed Steel
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30518
Diagram: 512
Allocations
| Nov-60 | New to | 81C (Southall) | |
| Apr-68 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| 31/05/70 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| Jan-72 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May 1973 | Depot code change | RG | |
| Jul-83 | On loan to | BR (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| Sep-83 | Ex-loan back to | RG (Reading) | |
| Jun-87 | Transferred to | OO (Old Oak Common) | |
| 09/12/92 | Transferred to | BY (Bletchley) NNDX | |
| Dec-96 | Stored | HQ (Headquarters) | |
| 09/04/97 | Withdrawn from | HQ (Headquarters) |
Modifications
p/e 08/09/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 13/08/77 - Leyland engines fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 05/12/1980 released in blue/grey livery55023 was involved in the following incident:
26/10/89 - Taplow (near Maidenhead), WR
Derailment involving Class 121
Info from Peter Mullen and Martin Callaghan
A stone train became derailed and a staff passenger DMU struck one of the bogies which had become detached from a derailed wagon and was itself derailed, falling onto its side. More Details.
Disposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 55023 | Noted 27/08/75 - at Westbury1 | ||||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||||
| 55023 | 56284 | Noted circa 04/19822 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||||
| 55023 | 54284 | Transfer to BR - Jul-83 - on loan from Reading | |||||||
| 55023 | 54284 | Transfer to RG - Sep-83 - ex-loan Bristol | |||||||
| B123 | 55023 | Listed at BR - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Noted circa 02/19862 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| 55023 | 54283 | Noted circa 06/19862 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Noted 24/01/19872 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Noted 29/06/1987 - at Willesden depot3 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at OO - Aug-87 | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Noted circa 02/19892 | |||||||
| L405 | 51340 | 59491 | 55023 | Noted 20/07/1990 - working from Oxford to Bicester. 55023 replacing defective 51381 | |||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at OO - 21/01/91 | |||||||
| L429 | 55023 | 59519 | 51409 | Listed at OO - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||
| L429 | 55023 | 51409 | 54495 | Listed at OO - 12/08/92 | |||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||||
| L123 | 55023 | Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NNDX | |||||||
| 55023 | 55027 | Noted 17/07/1996 - 1940 Bedford to Bletchley |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Eddie Knorn
3: Robert Chilton
Images:
20th June 1970
The signalman collects the token from the guard of the passing Class 121 (W55023) at Caerau station on 20 June 1970. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
20th June 1970
The signalman waits to collect the token from the Class 121 (55023) at Caerau station on the 20th June 1970, the last day of passenger service between Bridgend and Cymmer. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa early 1970s
55023 is seen in Twyford station with a Henley-on-Thames service circa early 1970s. Steve Davies Collection.
circa early 1970s
A Class 121, thought to be 55023, sits in Henley-on-Thames with a Twyford service circa ealry 1970s. Steve Davies Collection.
29th December 1972
Set number: L123
Class 121 no. W55023 (L123), awaits departure from Ealing Broadway for Greenford on 29 December 1972, while an unidentified English Electric type 3 (class 37) passes light engine westbound. Paul Braybrook.
19th January 1973
Set number: L123
A single car Class 121 DMU (which appears to be L123/55023) is seen approaching Henley on the 19th of January 1973. The KDH Archive.
1st June 1974
Set number: L123
Class 121 'Bubble Car' L123 (W55023) slumbers in Henley-on-Thames station before returning to Twyford on 1 June 1974. The original buildings and train shed were demolished in 1975, being rebuilt slightly to the south. Kevin Lane.
February 1975
Set number: L123
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar L123 (No.W55023) & Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) both in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends at Weat Ealing on a Greenford - Ealing Broadway service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
circa late 1970s
Set number: L123
Class 121 W55023 (and W56281 behind), possibly on Southall or Reading depot circa late 1970s. Paul Redmond.
13th September 1979
Set number: L123
Swindon works on the 13th September 1979 sees W55023 in amongst Class 116/120 and Met-Camm vehicles. Steve Davies Collection.
13th September 1979
Set number: L123
W55023 at Swindon Works on the 13th September 1979. Steve Davies Collection.
23rd October 1979
Set number: L123
Sunlight & shade as a grimy Class 121 single-unit W55023 had arrived at Ealing Broadway with the shuttle service from Greenford on October 23rd 1979. The 121's operated the 3.3 mile service from the Great Western main line at Ealing Broadway to the single bay platform at Greenford that was flanked either side by London Underground Central Line tracks. Martyn Hilbert.
26th January 1981
Set number: L123
Class 121 W55023 is seen in platform 2 of Banbury station with a DTS on 26 January 1981. Rob Edwards.
4th August 1981
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 standing in for a DMS in a 117 set (with 59519 + 51367) departing Maidenhead, 4th August 1981. Paul James.
15th August 1981
Set number: L123
55023 at Twyford after arriving from Henley, 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.
15th August 1981
Set number: L123
55023 at Henley-on-Thames on the 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.
1982
Set number: L123
55023 and another Class 121 bubble car in Paddington station in 1982. John Law.
24th December 1982
Set number: L123
Class 121 unit 55023 departs from Banbury with a local service for Oxford on Christmas Eve, 1982. Lewis Bevan.
1985
Set number: L123
55023 and a trailer car after arrival at Windsor and Eton Central in 1985. John Law.
Unknown date
Set number: L123
A Greenford-bound single car (L123, 55023) enters Ealing Broadway in the 1980s. Ian Docwra.
circa 1985
Set number: L123
A hopeful guard waits for custom at Ealing Broadway, working the Greenford shuttle with 55023 circa 1985. Ian Docwra.
1985
Set number: L123
55023 working the Greenford - Ealing Broadway shuttle in 1985. Ian Docwra.
1987
Set number: L123
L123 arrives at Shiplake in 1987. John Law.
May 1987
Set number: L123
Class 121 bubble car 55023 in Oxford station, May 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
18th August 1987
Set number: L123
Class 121 Set L123 on a 12XX West Ealing - Greenford service departs Greenford (at 13XX) on Tuesday 18th August 1987. Colin Brooks.
24th October 1987
Set number: L123
Class 121 W55023 Twyford 24 October 1987. Alistair Ness.
November 1987
Set number: L123
A pair of single unit Bubble Cars on the Bedwyn shuttles seen at Reading in November 1987. Blue / grey 55023 at the eastern end and Network South East liveried 55020 is at the western end. Murray Liston.
January 1988
Set number: L123
55023 leaves a smoky trail behind as it leaves Paddington on the rear of this formation in January 1988. MIke Cooper.
May 1989
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 rests in the bay at Greenford, May 1989. Alistair Ness.
May 1989
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 waits in the bay at Greenford, May 1989. Alistair Ness.
circa August 1989
Set number: L123
Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 on the rear of a Class 117 departing from Southall circa August 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.
26th October 1989
Set number: L123
Class 121 bubble 55023 lies on its side after hitting a bogie which had become detached from a derailed wagon while working a staff train at Taplow near Maidenhead on 26/10/89. Martin Callaghan.
26th October 1989
Set number: L123
Fallen down bubble 55023 at Taplow near Maidenhead on 26/10/89. It had hit a bogie which had become detached from one of the derailed wagons while working a staff train. Martin Callaghan.
circa 1990
Set number: L123
Pressed Steel bubble 55023 at Ealing Broadway circa 1990. Peter Brabham Collection.
circa late 1990
Set number: L123
55023 at Southall, working as part of a Class 117 set circa late 1990. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L123
A very nice line up at Paddington, with 55023 closest. Undated. Gazza Prescott.
31st January 1991
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 sits alongside 47715 in London Paddington on 31 January 1991. The blind displays Sorry not in Service. Keith Miller.
17th June 1991
Set number: L429
NSE set L429 comprises a Class 121 bubble and two Class 117 vehicles (55023 and presumably 59519 + 51409) when seen at Paddington on the 17th June 1991. Mike Cooper.
24th September 1991
Set number: L429
59519 and 55023 at Reading station on 24 September 1991. Keith Miller.
29th September 1991
Set number: L429
Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car 55023 takes the place of a power car in Pressed Steel Class 117 set L429 at Ealing Broadway on 6 September 1991. John Carter.
18th July 1992
Set number: L429
55023 at Reading on 18/7/92, attached to a two-car suburban / 108 hybrid, possibly 51409 / 54495. Sparegang.
1993
Set number: L123
55023 awaiting departure from Bedford with a Bletchley service, 1993. John Law.
1993
Set number: L123
W55023 at Bletchley in 1993. John Law.
17th April 1993
Set number: L123
Class 121 'Bubble Cars' 55023 and 55027 stand at Bedford before working the 13:40 service to Bletchley on 17 April 1993. Brian Creasey.
29th May 1993
Set number: L123
Towards the end of its working life, Pressed Steel class 121 W55023 was repainted in an approximation of its original livery. Here it is seen working a Bletchley to Bedford service near Lidlington on the 29th May 1993. Mike Dean.
5th June 1993
Set number: L123
Bubble car 55023 enters Stewartby with a service for Bletchley, 5th June 93. 54A South Dock.
30th July 1993
Set number: L123
Retro green 55023 at Bletchley on the 30th July 1993. Mark Fletcher.
25th September 1993
Set number: L123
Class 121 single unit 55023 exhibited at Wolverton Works Open Day on 25 September 1993. This unit was in regular use at the time on Bletchley-Bedford trains. Lewis Bevan.
25th September 1993
Set number: L123
1960 built Pressed Steel Co. Diesel railcar no.55023 (set L123) is seen in the works sidings at Wolverton Carriage Works on September 25, 1993 carrying early BR green which had been applied in March 1993 so the railcar joined the BR heritage livered fleet despite being operated by Network South-East. This railcar had been allocated to Bletchley Depot from 09/12/92 for use on the Bedford to Bletchley 'Marston Vale' line having moved from Old Oak Common Depot on the Western Region. After rail privatisation the unit moved to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway in March 1997 ahead of formal withdrawal which came on 09/04/1997. Adrian Nicholls.
19th January 1994
Set number: L123
The 13.50 Bletchley-Bedford arrives at Lidlington on 19 January 1994. The train is formed by Class 121 no. 55023 (in green livery) with Class 117 set L709 (51344/51386). Lewis Bevan.
20th January 1994
Set number: L123
Two Pressed Steel bubble cars, 55023 closest, at Bletchley on 22 January 1994. AndrewHA.
22nd January 1994
Set number: L123
Retro-green Class 121 55023 at Bletchley with a classmate on 22-01-94. AndrewHA.
March 1994
Set number: L123
55023 is working a Marston Vale line service when seen at Millbrook in March 1994. Nicholas Youngman.
March 1994
Set number: L123
Retro-green bubble 55023 at Forders Sidings, Stewartby's outer distant on the Marston Vale line, in March 1994. Nicholas Youngman.
28th March 1994
Set number: L123
The 17:50 to Bletchley at Bedford on March 23, 1994, operated by 55023. John Carter.
16th April 1994
Set number: L123
Class 121 DMU No. 55023 stands at Bletchley working the 14:50 service to Bedford on 16 April 1994. Brian Creasey.
May 1994
Set number: L123
In May 1994 55023 worked the shuttle service to Chesham as part of the "Steam on the Met". Here at Chalfont & Latimer. Ian Buck.
25th June 1994
Set number: L123
55023 at Bletchley on 25.6.94. Stuart Mackay Collection.
26th November 1994
Set number: L123
55023 seen at Stewartby on the 26th November 1994. Ian Buck.
26th November 1994
Set number: L123
55023 calls at the little halt of Kempston Hardwick on the 26th November 1994. Ian Buck.
1995
Set number: L123
Retro-green 55023 in Bedford Midland Road, 1995. Graham Baker.
circa 1995
Set number: L123
Retro-green Class 121 "bubble car" 55023 seen at Bletchley. Date unknown, the white buffer edges suggest the 1994-6 period. Robert Forsythe.
Unknown date
Set number: L123
Class 121 bubble 55023 at Kempston, date unknown. John Grey Turner.
29th March 1995
Set number: L123
On a murky day 55023 waits departure to Bedford at Bletchley on the 29th March 1995. Ian Buck.
circa 1995
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 waits departure for Bletchley from Bedford Midland in circa 1995. Stephen Burdett.
circa 1995
Set number: L123
The Bletchley - Bedford line employed vintage class 121 single units in the late 1990s pending replacement by class 150s. Here is 55023 in the branch platform at Bletchley in circa 1995. Stephen Burdett.
15th June 1995
Set number: L123
As a change to the ubiquitous NSE stripey livery unit L123 in BR Green livery is seen on the approach to Woburn Sands station on 15 06 1995. Paul Fleet.
13th November 1995
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 forming a Bedford to Bletchley service departs Millbrook station on 13 November 1995. Andrew Walker.
13th November 1995
Set number: L123
The signalman goes to open the level crossing gates at Millbrook station on the Bedford-Bletchley line as 55023 departs on a rather dismal 13th November 1995. Andrew Walker.
13th November 1995
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 pulls into Millbrook on a rather grim 13 November 1995 with a Bedford to Bletchley service. Andrew Walker.
August 1996
Set number: L123
Retro-green 55023 with a NSE-liveried classmate at Bletchley in August 1996. Nicholas Youngman.
11th August 1996
Set number: L123
At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.
11th August 1996
Set number: L123
At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.
12th October 1996
Set number: L123
Class 121 no. 55023 displayed at Bedford Open Day on October 12, 1996. Lewis Bevan.
12th October 1996
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 at Bedford, probably taken at the open day on October 12, 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.
12th October 1996
Set number: L123
55023 at Bedford open day, 12th October 1996. John Grey Turner.
12th October 1996
Set number: L123
55023 on display at a Bedford depot open day, 12th October 1996. John Grey Turner.
12th October 1996
Set number: L123
Class 121 55023 at Bedford, probably taken at the open day on October 12, 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L123
Set L123 - Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 - in Bedford station, date unknown. John Grey Turner.
Unknown date
Set number: L123
Retro-green Class 121 bubble car 55023 at Bedford, date unknown. John Grey Turner.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: February 1975
Set number: L281
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) & Class 121 railcar L123 (No.W55023) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends passing Ealing on a Greenford - Ealing Broadway service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
Date: circa late 1970s
Set number: L281
Class 121 DTS W56281 circa late 1970s, probably on Reading or Southall depot. Behind is 55023. Paul Redmond.
Date: October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121 Bubble Cars 55023 and 55028 have arrived at Henley-on-Thames from Twyford and ready to return there late one afternoon in October 1987. Murray Liston.
Date: 24th October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121s Twyford 24 October 1987. These two are W55023 and W55028. Alistair Ness.
Date: 24th October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121 cabs at Twyford in October 1987 These two are W55028 (left) and W55023 (right). Alistair Ness.
Date: 24th October 1987
A pair of class 121 Bubble Car single units 55023 and 55028 seen at Twyford on 24 October 1987 on a service to Henley-on-Thames. Both had been reallocated from Reading to Old Oak Common a few months earlier. Murray Liston.
Date: November 1987
Set number: L120
A pair of single unit Bubble Cars on the Bedwyn shuttles seen at Reading in November 1987. Network South East liveried 55020 is at the western end and blue / grey 55023 at the eastern end. Murray Liston.
Date: circa 1988
Set number: 201
One of the Class 101 Metro-Cammell sets that usurped the Pressed Steel monopoly on the Paddington local services in the 1980s. The unit (set L201, presumably 54070 + 51212) is seen outside the old carriage sheds at Old Oak Common, alongside one of the local Class 121 Pressed Steel 'Bubble Cars' W55023. Chris McKee.
Date: 17th April 1992
Set number: L127
55027 as part of a 'double bubble' set with 59519 & 55023. Seen at Paddington after arriving on the 12:48 from Slough, 17th April 1992. Gazza Prescott.
Date: 17th April 1993
Set number: L127
Network Southeaqst Class 121 'Bubble Car' No. 55027 with retro-green 55023 stand at Bedford before working the 13:40 service to Bletchley on 17 April 1993. Brian Creasey.
Date: unknown
Set number: L127
Pressed Steel bubble car 55023 in Bedford station, date unknown. John Grey Turner.
Date: 23rd April 1996
Set number: L131
A visit to Woburn Sands station on 23 April 1996, just in time to see 2 Class 121 single units, 55023/55031, depart with what I recorded as "the 14.00 to Bedford" (ie a Bletchley-Bedford train). Lewis Bevan.
Date: 11th August 1996
Set number: 117704
At Watford Junction on 11 August 1996 Pressed Steel Class 117 set 117704 (DMBS 51341 and presumably DMS 51383) is working the 08.27 To St Albans Abbey. Green Liveried Class 121 55023 is at attached to the rear. Dave Warby.