Vehicle 55991
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: 30551
Diagram: 643
Allocations
| 4w/e 30/01/60 | New to | 81C (Southall) | |
| Apr-68 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May 1973 | Depot code change | RG | |
| Jun-87 | Transferred to | OO (Old Oak Common) | |
| 27/11/88 | Transferred to | CA (Cambridge) RPXN | |
| 05/11/90 | Withdrawn from | CA (Cambridge) RPXX |
Notes
9th September 1989 - Seen in Royal Mail red livery
Modifications
Jun-71 - Dual AWS fitted
Jul-75 - WR AWS removed
Disposal
Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50819 | 50915 | 50862 | 55991 | Noted 02/09/69 - at Paddington1 | |||||
| 50915 | 55991 | Noted 08/04/1974 - at Reading2 | |||||||
| L343 | 55991 | 50915 | Noted 30/04/75 - at Royal Oak, set number only on 509153 | ||||||
| 55991 | Noted circa 12/19844 | ||||||||
| 55991 | Noted circa 04/19864 | ||||||||
| 55991 | 53365 | Noted circa 10/1988 - Parcels set4 | |||||||
| 55991 | Noted 14/11/88 - at Norwich3 | ||||||||
| 53365 | 55991 | Noted 26th November 1988 | |||||||
| 55991 | Noted 13/02/89 - at Norwich3 | ||||||||
| 55991 | 93307 | Noted 24th June 1989 | |||||||
| 55991 | Noted 9th September 1989 - part of 3-car set (with 53904 + 53929) hauling BG 94124 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Jeremy Goodyear
3: Gerald Brown
4: Eddie Knorn
Images:
18/01/60
An official image (Swindon Works negative 5C297) of the underframe equipment on GRC&W DMPV 55991, 18/01/60. Note the two builders plates, one GRC&W style and one BR style. British Railways.
23rd November 1963
With four vehicles in tow W55991 is seen at Southall on 23 November 1963. 3A49 is thought to have been the 9.59am Reading to London due to arrive at Paddington at 11.44. The KDH Archive.
24th January 1970
Set number: 344
Paired with a Class 116 DMBS as set 344 and with several vans in tow Class 128 parcels car W55991 is seen at Paddington on 24 January 1970. The KDH Archive.
circa early 1970s
Set number: 344
A Class 128 DMPV (presumably 55991) and Class 130 DMBS are working together as set 344, seen passing Southall depot. Undated, circa early 1970s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
February 1975
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.W55991, with split headcodes and gangways in BR Rail Blue livery and all yellow ends, coupled to a GUV van and BR (Derby) Class 130 parcels railcar No.W50862 passing Ealing, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
20th August 1975
Parcels car 55991 works one of its frequent journeys into Paddington passing Ealing Broadway on 20th August 1975. On the rear seems to be a 116, so the GUV will be one of the through wired ex-Railair vehicles. Ian Buck.
May 1976
A parcel formation passes Ealing in May 1976. On the rear (closest) is W55991, then a GUV, W50862 leading carrying set number L341. Hugh Llewelyn.
25th March 1979
Class 128 DMPV W55991 in Swindon Works on 25 March 1979. Note how clean the roof is despite the grime on the cab front. It would emerge from this works visit with domino headcodes in place of the yellow painted over version. Brian Daniels.
19th May 1979
Parcels DMU 55991 after overhaul at Swindon works on 19th May 1979. One exhaust still has to be added. David Scott.
3rd October 1979
Class 128 DMPV W55991 in Reading station on 3 October 1979. Brian Daniels.
18th October 1979
W55991 seen at Slough on 18 October 1979 with a couple of vehicles in tow. John Law.
18th February 1980
55991 about to enter Reading station on 18/2/80. Chris Lings.
4th August 1981
Diesel Parcel Unit W55991 slows down for its booked stop at Maidenhead, 4th August 1981. Paul James.
4th August 1981
Diesel Parcel Unit W55991 at rest in the platform at Maidenhead, 4th August 1981. Paul James.
September 1982
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.W55991 attached to a Class 117 departing from Paddington in September 1982. Hugh Llewelyn.
September 1982
Gloucester RC & W Co. Motor Parcels Van (Class 128) No.W55991, with split headcodes removed but gangways remaining, in BR Rail Blue livery and all yellow ends arriving at Paddington, 09/82. Hugh Llewelyn.
4th September 1982
Running into Paddington on the 4th September 1982 is GRCW parcels car 55991. Jerry Glover.
Unknown date
Date unknown as 55991 arrives at Paddington. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Parcels van 55991 at Southall, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
2nd June 1983
Class 128 parcels unit W55991 arrives solo at Paddington, Thursday 2nd June 1983 Iain Reid.
3rd August 1983
There were five Class 128 parcels units still in traffic when this images was taken on the 3rd August 1983, and 55991 - pictured here at Slough coupled to a class 121 "bubble car" - was one of two allocated to the Western Region. All five remaining examples were scrapped in April 1991 rendering this interesting class extinct. S Gaskell.
January 1984
Class 128 DMPVs 55991 (closest) and 55992 seen near Langley in January 1984. Andrew Malloy.
circa 1984
W55991 - one of the two Class 128 self-powered parcels vans that were based at Southall - seen here passing through Southall station with a Class 121 'Bubble Car' in tow. Taken with a Soviet made Zenith TTL SLR. Chris McKee.
circa August 1985
Class 128 DMPV W55991 at Southall circa August 1985. Stuart Mackay Collection.
3rd August 1985
Class 128 55991 seen at Slough on 3rd August 1985. Ian Buck.
14th May 1986
Class 128 DMPV W55991 in Reading station on 14 May 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
June 1986
A Class 128 parcel vehicle in London Paddington in June 1986. There were two of these allocated to Reading at the time - only one carried the 'Parcels Service' text - making this 55991. Stuart Mackay Collection.
20th June 1986
Parcel car 55991 seen at Langley on 20 June 1986. Andrew Malloy.
20th June 1986
Parcel car 55991 seen at Langley on 20 June 1986. Andrew Malloy.
19th January 1987
55991 & 55992 stayed loyal to their spiritual home of Reading DMU Depot. They were always to be seen trundling Up and Down the Great Western main line from Paddington to Reading.They are seen there after some seasonal snow at Reading Station on 19th January 1987 AndrewHA.
28th February 1987
Class 128 parcels car 55991 is seen at Reading on 28th February 1987. Ian Buck.
9th July 1987
The headcode boxes are gone on 55991, seen at Reading on 9/7/87. Malcolm Clements.
24th October 1987
Class 128 parcels car 55991 is seen at the stops in Paddington on 24/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
30th October 1987
Class 128 parcels car 55991 at Slough on 30/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
30th October 1987
Class 128 parcels car 55991 at Slough on 30/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
30th October 1987
A close-up of the end of 55991 at Slough on 30/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
1988
BR Class 128 parcels 'unit' (actually a single car) no. 55991 is loaded with its parcels at Paddington in 1988. These were Gloucester-built cars with 460hp. Ian Docwra.
February 1988
Single diesel parcel unit no. 55991 stands at Reading station attached to an NSE set on a dismal afternoon in February 1988. Andrew Walker.
circa early 1988
55991 at Leicester. Date unknown, the number on the cab front appeared circa autumn 1987. By the end of March 1988 the vehicle was at Vic Berry's for asbestos stripping, this is likely en-route there from the Western Region. After stripping it went to Doncaster Works and emerged in the Royal Mail red livery. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa early 1988
Class 128 55991 at Leicester circa early 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.
19th March 1988
55991 at Vic Berry's, Leicester 19/3/88, for asbestos removal. Sparegang.
27th March 1988
Vic Berry’s scrap yard at Leicester on 27 March 1988 with Class 122 55005 and Class 128 parcels unit 55991. Keith Miller.
3rd April 1988
55991 makes indentification easy with the number on the front, and also unusually on the centre of the vehicle. At Vic Berry's on 3/4/88. Behind in 55005. Malcolm Clements.
7th April 1988
Class 128 DPU 55991 at Vic Berry's scrapyard, Leicester, for asbestos stripping, seen on 7-4-88. Spannerman37025.
22nd April 1988
Gloucester Class 128 DPU 55991 at Vic Berry's, Leicester on 22nd April 1988 for asbestos removal. It would return to traffic. Behind is 975023. Paul James.
5th June 1988
55991 is seen in Doncaster Works, 5/6/88. Jerry Glover.
19th June 1988
Class 128 parcel car 55991 inside Doncaster Works on 19 June 1988. Keith Miller.
circa September 1988
Set number: L91
Class 128 parcel car 55991 at Slough. Undated, it has recently been painted so circa September 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Class 128 parcels car 55991 in St Pancras station. Date unknown. David Faircloth.
21st March 1989
55991 with (presumably 55931) and 54901 at Leeds on March 21, 1989. John Carter.
24th June 1989
55991 hauling 93307 on 3E26, 17:57 Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds at Chinley, 24-6-89. Kevin Dowd.
7th August 1989
55991 in the north bay at Cambridge, 7/8/89, alongside 54347. Mike Cooper.
7th August 1989
55991 in the north bay at Cambridge, 7/8/89. Mike Cooper.
7th August 1989
55991 in the north bay at Cambridge, 7/8/89. Mike Cooper.
9th September 1989
Class 128 55991 with Class 114 54904 + 55929 and BG 94124 on the Saturday Only 3E26 17:57 Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds Parcel Depot at New Mills South Junction, 9-9-89. Kevin Dowd.
23rd February 1990
55991 leaves York for Leeds with a BG on tow, 23/2/90. Stuart Mackay Collection.
January 1991
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W DMPMV 55991 and Class 114 DMPMV 55931 stabled next to Dalgetys, Cambridge station, in January 1991. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
January 1991
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W DMPMV 55991 corridor connection detail, facing a Class 114 parcel unit, next to Dalgetys, Cambridge station, January 1991. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
January 1991
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W DMPMV 55991 and two Class 114 parcels conversions with DMPMV 55931 closest, Cambridge station January 1991. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
January 1991
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W DMPMV 55991 corridor connection detail, next to Dalgetys, Cambridge station January 1991. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
1st January 1991
Awaiting their final fate at the coalfields in Cambridge station are Class 128 55991 parcels Class 114s. Alex Drennan.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: circa 1967
A GRC&W parcel car (55991 or 55992) in early blue livery with only a yellow gangway cover at Oxford circa 1967. It is paired with a Derby suburban DMBS still in green - likely to 50819 or 50862 which had their seats removed for parcel traffic - and there are two vans in tow. Doug Nicholls.
Date: circa 1968
A fascinating picture of an unidentified Gloucester Class 128 (possibly W55991) carrying what appears to be non-standard blue livery with white cab roofs and seemingly without yellow warning panels, although the reality is the van has a yellow painted corridor connection. The DMPV is working with an unidentified green liveried Derby Class 116 DMBS (probably 50819 or 50862), the pair pulling a BR(SR) green liveried CCT at Twyford and thought to be heading east - c.1968. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
Date: circa 1974
Set number: L360
This is the scene at the back of Southall shed, where we can see two of the spare DMU vehicles that were used at the time, replacing damaged Class 117 Pressed Steel cars. Class 116 W50083 was the only one of the class that worked out of Paddington and W59543 was one of only three Met Cams - all centre cars - both seen in this shot, along with W55991 one of the two allocated Class 128 parcels units. I would have been on one of my frequent 'after school' visits to Southall footbridge to do a bit of train-spotting, circa early to mid 1970s. Sometimes I would venture down to the trackside, as in this shot, and even bunk round the shed as on this occasion. I used to like 'running the gauntlet' to try and get to the back of the shed, and then wend my way back slowly so I could 'cop' as many units on the walk back before I got thrown out ;) There was often a collection of interesting stray vehicles stored at the back of the shed, as seen in this view. Chris McKee.
Date: May 1976
Set number: L341
Parcel formation L341 passing West Ealing in May 1976, formed of a Class 116 (or 130 for parcel use) W50862, a GUV, and Class 128 W55991. Hugh Llewelyn.
Date: 10th August 1982
A Class 128 DMPV in Paddington station on 10 August 1982. The Western Region had two of these at the time, 55991 and 55992. Tony Watson.
Date: January 1983
Class 128 DMPVs 55992 (right) and 55991 (left) seen near Langley in January 1984. Andrew Malloy.
Date: December 1983
Two Gloucester Motor Parcels Vans (55991 + 55992) at Maidenhead in December 1992. Tony Watson.
Date: 16th May 1986
W55991 in Paddington Station London on 16th May 1986. Keith Long.
Date: 1st July 1987
Together forever .... Rumoured to be withdrawn from traffic fairly soon, one of OC's allocation of two Class 128 DPUs (diesel parcels units) W55992 rumbles along the up relief line at Poplar Jn, Acton, heading for Paddington ...... Inseparable since being introduced in 1960 both W55991+W55992 have been allocated to the London Division of the Western Region for over 27 years. Firstly at Southall, then Reading and now, for the last month, Old Oak Common. Both were transferred away to Cambridge 18 months later, with 55991 being withdrawn from there on 5/11/90, whilst 55992 was transferred, on paper at least, to Chester on 30/11/90 and immediately withdrawn ..... Both were later scrapped at M.C. Metals Ltd, Springburn, Glasgow ...... 1st July 1987. Nigel Mack.
Date: 4th March 1988
Set number: TS055
M55005 is seen at Vic Berry's next to 55991 on 4/3/88. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 1989
Class 114 55931 sandwiched between 55991 and 54901 in Leeds station. The former 53040 had the roller shutter doors added at Ilford in late 1987, initially running in the plain blue parcels livery with yellow stripe. It visited Doncaster Works in early 1989 for fitting of Leyland TL11 engines and repaint into red. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 20th January 1989
Class 128 parcels DMUs Nos. 55994 and 55991 stand in St Pancras on 20 January 1989. Brian Creasey.
Date: 21st March 1989
Class 114 parcels conversion 54901 (and presumably 55931) and 55991 on the rear at Leeds on March 21, 1989. John Carter.
Date: 7th July 1990
A pair of class 128's (55993 and 55991) arrive at Crewe from the south, at 12.15 on 7/7/90. Leonard Rogers.