Vehicle 55024 / 977858
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) | |
| w/e 05/12/70 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 2w/e 31/10/71 | Transferred to | 84A (Laira) | |
| 3w/e 30/04/72 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | CF | |
| w/e 17/05/75 | Transferred to | RG (Reading) | |
| 2w/e 29/12/79 | Transferred to | LA (Laira) | |
| w/e 03/03/80 | Transferred to | RG (Reading) | |
| Jun-87 | Transferred to | OO (Old Oak Common) | |
| 02/09/93 | To departmental stock | RG (Reading) |
Notes
21st August 1991 - Seen in NSE livery
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55024 - original number
977858 - from 02/09/93 (departmental stock)
Department Use as ADB977858
Sandite / Route Learner From 9/93 to 2013. Carried set number 960010
Modifications
13/08/71 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 06/09/75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 13/08/77 - Leyland engines fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 07/07/1981 released in blue/grey livery55024 was involved in the following incident:
23/1/74 - Pontypool Rd, WR
Derailment involving Class 120 / Class 121
Info from Peter Mullen
A Cardiff to Crewe train became derailed on catch points near Pontypool Road while working wrong line to pass a failed freight train. More Details.
Disposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51310 | 59477 | 55024 | Noted 11/08/70 - at Royal Oak1 | ||||||
| 55024 | Noted 20/08/1971 - working with class 120 at Abergavenny2 | ||||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted 08/09/76 - at Banbury1 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted 22/10/1977 - at Reading Station3 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted circa 04/19824 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted 03/04/19864 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| 51365 | 59517 | 55024 | Noted 21/06/19864 | ||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at Paddington5 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at OO - Aug-87 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted circa 07/19894 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at OO - 21/01/91 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted 01/04/91 - at Royal Oak1 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Noted circa 11/19914 | |||||||
| 55024 | 55029 | Noted 09/04/92 - on 19:12 Reading - Paddington6 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | 59498 | 55029 | Noted 17/04/92 - on 11:03 Maidenhead - Paddington | |||||
| L480 | 55024 | 59498 | 55029 | Listed at OO - 24/04/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||
| L490 | 53599 | 59734 | 55024 | Noted circa 08/19924 | |||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at OO - 12/08/92 | |||||||
| L124 | 55024 | Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||||
| 977858 | Noted 26/03/04 - at Norwich1 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Jeremy Goodyear
3: Shayne Lewis
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Robert Chilton
6: David Bellamy
Images:
21st June 1969
Set number: 124
55024 at High Wycombe while on Bourne End branch services, June 21 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
21st June 1969
Set number: 124
55024 at Loudwater on the Bourne End branch with the 16:00 from High Wycombe, June 21, 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
1977
Set number: L124
55024 at West Ealing in 1977. Steve Davies Collection.
30th December 1978
Set number: L124
Departing Slough for Windsor 55024 on 30th December 1978. Ian Buck.
8th January 1979
Set number: L124
Class 121 W55024 on Southall depot on 8 January 1979. Brian Daniels.
19th October 1979
Set number: L124
A nocturnal scene at London Paddington on the evening of October 19th 1979. Class 121 single unit W55024 with its unpowered Driving Trailer Second (DTS) W56281 was stood with a service to Hayes & Harlington. Behind was Class 121 single unit W55027 that had been used on the Ealing Broadway to Greenford shuttle service. Martyn Hilbert.
26th June 1980
Set number: L124
Plain blue 55024 pushes it's blue/ grey DTS out of Kings Sutton on 26/6/80. Ian McDonald.
3rd August 1985
Set number: L124
55024 arrives at Catlebar Park on the 3rd August 1985. Ian Buck.
10th April 1986
Set number: L124
55024 at Reading on a Reading - Paddington service, 10th April 1986. Paul Moxon.
19th April 1986
Set number: L124
Pressed Steel Class 121 55024 acts a Tail End Charlie for a 3 car set made up of a 2-car suburban set and itself, with a service for Hereford at Stoke Edith level crossing. 19th April 1986. John Crooks.
circa April 1987
Set number: L124
Class 121 bubble car W55024 working as part of a Class 117 set at Southall circa April 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
22nd August 1987
55024 Class 121 is seen stabled at Reading on 22.08.1987 not long after repainting into BR blue and grey livery. Andy Cole.
22nd October 1987
Set number: L124
NSE Class 121 L124 (55024) at Woodgrange Park working between Gospel Oak and Barking on 22 October 1987. The services through here are rather better these days! Kevin Lane.
24th October 1987
Set number: 124
W55024 at Paddington on the 24th October 1987. Malcolm Clements.
30th October 1987
Set number: L124
55024 is standing in for a Class 117 power car, working with 59511 and 51401 when seen departing from Slough on the 30th October 1987. Malcolm Clements.
January 1988
Set number: L124
55024 is on the rear of a 3-car 101 / 121 / 121 formation leaving Paddington in January 1988. Mike Cooper.
12th February 1988
Set number: 124
Creating a haze of exhaust fumes a morning Paddington - Maidenhead stopping service gets away from the station stop at Taplow on the last leg of its journey, formed by one of RG depots famous temporary hybrid sets. This time a Class 121 'Bubble Car' has replaced Class 119 driving trailer W51083 in Set L573, giving a formation of W55024+W59417+W51055. I think it is fairly safe to assume that as W51083 was officially withdrawn in mid March its running days were already over when this picture was taken. 12th February 1988. Nigel Mack.
5th May 1988
Set number: 124
55024 in Reading station on 5 May 1988, with 47 427 on the left. Andrew Malloy.
30th August 1988
Set number: 124
W55024 seen at Didcot on the 16:43 Oxford - Didcot, 30th August 1988. Hamish Stevenson.
14th November 1988
W55024 waiting departure from Kettering with the 1827 to Corby 14th November 1988. Keith Long.
14th November 1988
Set number: 124
W55024 waiting departure from Kettering with the 1827 to Corby 14th November 1988. Keith Long.
circa October 1989
Set number: L124
L124 (55024) leads Met-Camm set L202 (presumably 51225 + 54372) into Southall in late 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.
January 1990
Set number: L124
55024 / L124 departs from Ealing Broadway with an Eastbound service in January 1990. John McIntyre.
6th September 1991
Set number: L124
55024 at Greenford with the 14:05 London Paddington-Greenford on 6 September 1991. John Carter.
6th September 1991
Set number: L124
55024 at Greenford with the 14:05 London Paddington-Greenford on 6 September 1991. John Carter.
24th September 1991
51367, 55024 and 59519 at Reading station on 24 September 1991. Keith Miller.
17th April 1992
Set number: L124
55024 heads a bubble car /117 centre car (59498) / bubble car (55029) formation, arriving at Paddington with the 11:03 from Maidenhead, 17th April 1992. Gazza Prescott.
19th March 1994
Set number: L124
The Aylesbury depot duck logo under the number of the former 55024, seen at Old Oak Common open day on the 19th March 1994. S Gaskell.
19th March 1994
Set number: L124
977858 at Old Oak Common open day, 19th March 1994. Robert Frise.
19th March 1994
Set number: L124
977858 (ex-55024) seen at Old Oak Common open day on the 19th March 1994. S Gaskell.
30th May 1994
977858 at Aylesbury on 30/5/94. Robert Frise.
circa September 1995
Set number: L124
977858 in Aylesbury depot circa September 1995. Stuart Mackay Collection.
December 1995
Set number: L124
Route Learner / sandite vehicle 977858 at High Wycombe, circa December 1995. Note the cab partition has been removed behind the two leftmost windows to aid route learning. Stuart Mackay Collection.
29th October 1999
Set number: 960010
The former 55024, now 977858 set 960010, seen at Aylesbury Depot on the 29th October 1999. On the right is 977722. Ian Buck.
6th August 2000
Set number: 960010
Class 121 977858, set number 960 010, is seen stabled at Aylesbury on 06.08.2000. It was converted from 55024 as a sandite car and was repainted into maroon livery. Andy Cole.
4th December 2001
Set number: 960010
977858 passing through Amersham, returning to Aylesbury, on the 4th December 2001. Colin Cooke.
4th December 2001
Set number: 960010
977858 passing through Amersham, returning to Aylesbury, on the 4th December 2001. Colin Cooke.
Unknown date
977858 stabled at Aylesbury. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.
21st April 2003
977723 (left) faces 977858 (right) at Aylesbury, 21/4/03. Colin Cooke.
25th August 2003
977858 stabled at Aylesbury on the 25th August 2003. Robert Frise.
6th March 2004
Set number: 960010
With the set number carried in the center cab window, 977858 is seen at Derby on the 6th March 2004. Graham Turner.
24th March 2004
Railtrack Bubble Car 977858 at March on 24/03/2004. Waddo Rail.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/7/2004. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
Details for modellers, 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. A close-up of the coaching crest roundel. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
Details for modellers, 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. A close-up of part of the "Clearing The Way" lettering. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
A close-up of the "Clearing The Way" lettering on 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
A close-up of the Railtrack lettering on the side of 977858, taken in Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 sits inside Aylesbury depot on July 12, 2004, ready to undergo some bodywork repairs and a repaint. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/01. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
The data panel on 977858 (taken inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04). Interesting that it is classified as a DMS (despite having a brake compartment), even the 'S' in the DMS is intriguing as it shows zero seats! Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
A close-up of the number and 'Duck' depot sticker on 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
Details for modellers, 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. The Railtrack lettering was 11 3/4" high and 86 1/2" wide. At the top there was a gap of 4 1/2" between it and the lining, the bottom of the lettering was 10 1/2" above the lower body edge. Stuart Mackay.
12th July 2004
Set number: 960010
Details for modellers, 977858 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/07/04. The bottom of the 4" high numbers were 15" from the lower body edge, the six digits covered a width of 20". The lining (1/2" yellow, 7/8" black, 1/2" yellow was 27" from the lower body edge and 4 7/8" from the window frame. Stuart Mackay.
13th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint on July 13th. The Railtrack vinyls have been removed, areas of rust investigated and some metal patching done as required. Stuart Mackay.
13th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint on July 13th. Some small bodywork repairs have just completed where there were rust signs. Stuart Mackay.
17th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. On July 13th the bodysides have been sanded and filling done as required. Stuart Mackay.
17th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. Sanding and filling has been completed on the side and any bare areas patch primed. July 17th. Stuart Mackay.
19th July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. When seen on July 19th the vehicle is in undercoat. Stuart Mackay.
21st July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. On July 21st it has had gloss paint applied, it would receive two coats of the maroon gloss. Stuart Mackay.
21st July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. This is the number one end on July 21st now in gloss. Stuart Mackay.
22nd July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. Lining is in progress on July 22nd with the yellow for the waist band applied, and the yellow panel has been added, it may look rough around the edges as it still has the masking tape on. Stuart Mackay.
23rd July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. At the start of the final day, July 23rd the waist lining had been completed but the top still had to be done. Stuart Mackay.
23rd July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. End of day, July 23rd, job done. It was a busy day and many of the depot staff helped out painting the underframe, bogies and many of the embellishments. Stuart Mackay.
23rd July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. End of day, July 23rd, job done. Traditionally DMUs have carried a paint date, normally on the inner end. I added it to one of the cabsides with my initials. Stuart Mackay.
23rd July 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in Aylesbury depot during its 2004 repaint. End of day, July 23rd, job done. Ready for traffic! Stuart Mackay.
31st August 2004
Recently repainted sandite bubble 977858 stabled beside Aylesbury station on 31 August 2004. AndrewHA.
31st August 2004
Sandite 977858 stabled beside Aylesbury Station . on 31 August 2004. AndrewHA.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 at Birmingham Railway Museum on a rainy 23/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in the company of 977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum, 23/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 seen at Birmingham Railway Museum on 23rd September 2004, where it was sent to bring back the newly converted water jetting centre car. Stuart Mackay.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 and 977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum, 23/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
23rd November 2004
Set number: 960010
Showing off the shoebeam fitted in summer 2004 to carry the tripcock for operation on the Metropolitan line between Harrow and Amersham, 977858 is seen at Marylebone on the 23rd November 2004. Laurence Milner.
2005
Set number: 960010
977858 stabled at Aylesbury in 2005. John Law.
12th August 2006
Set number: 960010
Class 121 single-car dmu 977858/55024 (set 960010) at Aylesbury, Saturday 12 August 2006. Ian 10B.
January 2007
Set number: 960010
977858 in the sidings at Aylesbury, January 2007. Fred Clark.
15th January 2007
Sitting in the sidings at Aylesbury station, 15/1/07 beside 975042. Fred Clark.
10th March 2008
Set number: 960010
Pressed Steel Class 121 Railcar, Unit No.960 010, Car No.977858 (ex-W55024) in BR maroon (a livery never carried by 121's in BR days) of Network Rail in sandite service at Aylesbury, 10/3/08. Hugh Llewelyn.
18th April 2009
Set number: 960010
Former Class 121 No. 55024, now sandite unit Class 960 No. 960010 (977858) is stabled at Aylesbury on 18 April 2009. Brian Creasey.
27th July 2009
Set number: 960010
977858 at Aylesbury on July 27, 2009. Nigel Walls.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 21st June 1969
Set number: 120
55020 passes 55024 (set 124) at Bourne End on the Marlow branch, June 21st 1969. 55024 on the left is on the 14:57 shuttle to High Wycombe, 55020 has arrived from Maidenhead, after reversing it will continue to Marlow. Steve Davies Collection.
Date: 19th August 1975
Set number: L284
Maidenhead on the 19th of August 1975 this Class 121 DMU formed of driving trailer 56284 and bubble car 55024 is about to work the 14.55 service to Marlow. The KDH Archive.
Date: 23rd June 1984
Set number: L281
Class 121 DTS 56281 with bubble 55024 at Hayes and Harlington on 23rd June 1984. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Date: 23rd June 1984
Set number: L281
Class 121 Pressed Steel DMUs 54281 + 55024 (DTS + DMBS) westbound at Hayes and Harlington on 23-6-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Date: 26th March 1988
Set number: 283
Class 121 coaches Nos. 54283 and 55024 stand at Slough working the Windsor & Eton shuttle on 26 March 1988. Brian Creasey.
Date: circa October 1989
Set number: L202
L202 (presumably 54372 + 51225) with L124 (55024) arriving into Southall in late 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: unknown
977722 and 977858 at Aylesbury depot. Date unknown. Robert Frise Collection.
Date: 24th February 2001
Set number: 960002
There were several single unit DMUs around Aylesbury in 2001 and here at the stops of the stabling roads on 24 February 1991 is 960002, formerly 55020. It was in use for some time as a Sandite and route learning vehicle and was in the Departmental Pool. Behind is probably Class 117 51411, another 117 can just be seen on the extreme left, presumably 51369, behind is 977723 and 977858. Peter Tandy.
Date: unknown
Set number: 960002
977722, 977858 and Class 117 power car 51411 at Aylesbury. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.
Date: February 2003
A view of the Chiltern Railways depot in February 2003, with class 117 DMS 51411 in the foreground in Scotrail livery, with class 121 railcar 55024 alongside. 51411 was scrapped here in 2009. Kevin Lane.
Date: 2nd April 2003
Set number: 121020
55020 at Princes Risborough on delivery run, 2nd April 2003, attached to 977858. Roger Marks.
Date: 21st April 2003
Set number: 960021
977723 at Aylesbury, with 977858 behind. 21st April 2003. Colin Cooke.
Date: 25th August 2003
Set number: 960015
975042, 977873, 977866 and 977858 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
Date: 12th July 2004
Set number: 960011
977859 inside Aylesbury depot on 12/7/04. 977858 can also be seen, it was in the depot for body repairs and repaint which were to begin that day. Stuart Mackay.
Date: 23rd September 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum (Tyseley) on the morning of the 23rd September 2004. It's in the company of 977858 and the newly converted water jetting train centre car 977992. Stuart Mackay.
Date: 23rd September 2004
Set number: 960301
Water-jet conversion 977992 at Birmingham Railway Museum beside 977723 on the 23rd September 2004. It was collected that day by 977858 and taken to Aylesbury. Stuart Mackay.
Date: 3rd March 2007
Class 122 975042 and Class 121 977858 stabled beside Aylesbury station on March 3, 2007. John Grey Turner.