Vehicle 55989
This page is about the Class 128 parcel vehicle withdrawn in 1982. For details on the Class 127 parcel vehicle numbered 55989 from 1985 see 51606.
Class 128
Builder: GRC&W
Layout: Parcels Van
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None / BR Standard
Engines: Albion 230hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30552
Diagram: 644
Allocations
| 23/01/60 | New to | 14A (Cricklewood) | |
| 4w/e 02/11/68 | Transferred to | 2A (Tyseley) | |
| 3w/e 01/08/70 | Transferred to | 9D (Newton Heath) | |
| May-73 | Depot code change | NH | |
| Sep-82 | Withdrawn from | NH (Newton Heath) |
Disposal
Scrapped by Mayer Newman, Snailwell
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| TY005 | 55989 | Listed at 2A - 16/08/70 | |||||||
| 55989 | Noted 13/04/71 - in Manchester Victoria1 | ||||||||
| 55989 | Noted 26/10/71 - at Preston1 | ||||||||
| 55989 | Noted circa 12/1982 - Stored Out of Use at Newton Heath.2 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Eddie Knorn
Images:
January 1960
A GRC&W image (negative 5445/2) showing Parcel vehicle M55989 in January 1960. It would be delivered to Cricklewood that month. Gloucester Railway Carriage And Wagon.
18th October 1964
M55989 is seen at 14A Cricklewood, 18/10/64. Keith Gunner.
10th April 1971
Gloucester class 128 motor parcels van No.M55989 is seen at Newton Heath depot on 10th April 1971, with its 'buffalo horns' prominent. Ten motor luggage vans of class 128 were delivered from the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. in early 1960 for use on the London Midland and Western Regions. The London Midland examples did not have end gangways fitted. Powered by two 230hp engines per vehicle, they were able to accommodate a trailing load when required. Class 108 DMC M52062 is on the left and a 'Blackpool stripe' 104 on the right. Gordon Edgar.
August 1972
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.M55989, with central headcodes and no gangways, in BR Rail Blue livery all yellow ends at Manchester (Victoria), 08/72. Hugh Llewelyn.
August 1972
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.M55989, with central headcodes and no gangways, in BR Rail Blue livery all yellow ends at Manchester (Victoria), August 1972. Hugh Llewelyn.
August 1972
Class 128 parcel car M55989 seen in Manchester Victoria bay platforms with some vans in August 1972. Hugh Llewelyn.
15th June 1974
A Class 128 on Newton Heath Depot on 15 June 1974, thought to be M55989. Class 108 M56256 is on the left. Alistair Ness.
26th July 1978
Class 128 M55989 is seen in Manchester Victoria on 26 July 1978. Stuart Mackay Collection.
24th March 1979
Class 128 MPMV M55989 on Newton Heath depot, 24 March 1979. It's next to a Class 104 and a Class 105 car can be seen in the distance behind a Class 08. Stuart Mackay Collection.
20th May 1979
Parcels DMU 55989 runs into Manchester Victoria on 22nd May 1979. David Scott.
27th June 1979
Class 128 M55989 in Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday 27 June 1979. David Russon.
9th July 1979
Class 128 M55989 attached to a three-car Class 104 at Buxton on 9 July 1979. Note the loose Class 104 vehicles on the right. Alistair Ness.
22nd September 1979
Class 128 DMPV M55989 stabled in Manchester Victoria on 22 September 1979. Brian Daniels.
23rd May 1980
Class 128 M55989 Manchester Victoria, 23 May 1980. Nigel Menzies.
26th July 1981
A slide I acquired in connection with a modelling project sees class 128 DMPMV M55989 sitting at the blocks at Manchester Victoria on 26/Jul/1981. It was withdrawn just over a year later. Photo copyright © Robert Chilton. Original photographer: Barrie Watkins. Robert Chilton.
circa 1982
Class 128 DMPV M59989 in Manchester Victoria circa 1982. There are two Class 108s on the left. Stuart Mackay Collection.
August 1982
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.M55989, with central headcodes and no gangways, in BR Rail Blue livery all yellow ends at Manchester (Victoria), 08/82. Hugh Llewelyn.
August 1982
Class 128 M55989 arrives at Manchester Victoria in August 1982. Hugh Llewelyn.
August 1982
Class 128 M55989 at Manchester Victoria in August 1982. Hugh Llewelyn.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 8th May 1981
51606 sits at London St. Pancras waiting to depart with another service to Bedford on 8/May/1981. It would appear that the driver's windscreen has been replaced with a spare/reclaimed one from the second man's side at some point, unless an overhead warning flash has been placed somewhat unusually on the driver's side. 51606 was later reborn as one of the parcels conversions; 55969 (originally 55989 but renumbered on account of duplicating a class 128 running number). Robert Chilton.