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Vehicle 55993

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

Feb-60	New to	84D (Leamington)
by Jan-61	Transferred to	84E (Tyseley)
01/01/63	Boundary change	84E	transferred from WR to LMR stock
Sep-63	Depot code change	2A
May-73	Depot code change	TS
30/06/73	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
Oct-73	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
Oct-73	Transferred to	CH (Chester)
10/06/84	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
07/07/85	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
27/11/88	Transferred to	CA (Cambridge) RPXN
p/e 30/11/90	Transferred to	CH (Chester) PCHX
24/05/91	Withdrawn from	CH (Chester)

Modifications

Nov-74 - Dual AWS fitted

Disposal

Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

TY001	55993	Listed at 2A - 16/08/70
	55993	Noted 10/09/76 - on Chester depot¹
	55993	Noted circa 12/1982 - In use around Manchester area²
	55993	Noted circa 07/1983 - Manchester and Buxton areas.²
TS003	55993	Noted circa 09/1985²
TS003	55993	Noted circa 02/1986²
	55993	Noted 26/04/86 - attached to 51904 + 54487 on 12:15 Chester - Shrewsbury³
TS003	55993	Listed at Tyseley - Summer 1986
T003	55993	Noted 22/04/1987 - at Crewe⁴
	55993	Noted 04/05/1987 - Black Eight Tours Mendip Meanderer Railtour 55993+51870-59589-59353-53921
T1	55993	Listed at TS - Jul-87
T003	55993	Listed at Tyseley - 7th April 1988
003	55993	Noted circa 05/1988²

Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Eddie Knorn
3: Martin Baumann
4: Robert Chilton

Images:

circa February 1960

A GRC&W image of new parcel vehicle W55993. It was delivered to 84D (Leamington) in February 1960. Note the under the closest cab window the small interchangeable board with "Wellington" on it. Gloucester Railway Carriage And Wagon.

30th July 1961

W55993 departs from Princes End & Coseley station with a BG on tow with a southbound pigeon special on Sunday 30 July 1961. Michael Mensing.

31st December 1967

Parcels DMU M55993 is stabled at Soho depot in Birmingham on the 31st of December 1967. The KDH Archive.

Unknown date

Class 128 DMPV 55993 with a GUV at Manchester Victoria, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Two GRC&W parcel DMUs with a BG in tow, seen in Shrewsbury station, circa early 1970s. Graham Clark.

Unknown date

A London Midland Region publicity image showing Class 128 DMPV M59993 in Shrewsbury station circa late 1970s. British Rail.

3rd July 1977

Class 128 M55993 leads a passenger from the Chester line at Shrewsbury on 2 July 1977. Behind is a Park Royal set, the rear three-car set has a Class 108 power car closest, the centre car in blue/grey is perhaps a 119? Robert Thomas.

31st May 1978

GRCW DMPV 55993 departs from Shrewsbury on 31/08/78. Steve Jones.

24th February 1979

Without a gangway cover, Class 128 DMPV M55993 is seen on Chester depot on 24 February 1979. A Class 108 is to the left and behind, a Class 103 on the right. Brian Daniels.

23rd June 1979

A tatty-looking Gloucester Class 128 Motor Parcels Van, M55993 with an ex Southern Railway PMV van at the rear, was keeping company with a Class 101 DMU in the sidings at Shrewsbury on June 23rd 1979. There were 10 Class 128 MPV's built in 1959/1960, six were gangwayed and four were non-gangwayed. A lack of work and surplus loco-hauled parcels/mail vehicles saw the last of the class withdrawn in 1991. Martyn Hilbert.

21st February 1980

55993 sits in the company of 59437 (left) and 56283 (right) at Stratford on the 21st February 1980. Ed Kibey.

15th November 1980

M55993 and M55994 hauling E80618 arrive at Shrewsbury 15th November 1980. Keith Long.

circa early 1980s

Class 129 DMPV M55993 heads away from Manchester Victoria circa early 1980s. Stuart Mackay Collection.

27th June 1981

Parcels Van 55993 seen at Chester depot on 27 June 1981. Jerry Glover.

16th July 1981

Class 128 parcel car M55993 in Shrewsbury station on Thursday 16 July 1981. A Class 120 DMU is behind, W50698 closest. David Russon.

16th July 1981

Class 128 parcel car M55993 in Shrewsbury station on Thursday 16 July 1981, facing Class 120 vehicle W50698. David Russon.

Class 128 DMU at East Junction, Manchester

2nd October 1982

An oddity to be seen around Manchester were the Class 128 parcels DMUs. Ten were built, but by this date only half remained in traffic, two on the Western and three on the Midland Region. 55993 is seen passing East Junction Signal Box, 2nd October 1982. S Gaskell.

26th October 1982

Class 128 55993 is seen passing Nuneaton on 26.10.1982 still in BR all over blue livery. Andy Cole.

2nd April 1983

M55993 seen passing the now demolished signal box at Victoria East on 2nd April 1983. Paul Moxon.

27th August 1983

With the glass missing from the nearest marker light, Class 128 Gloucester RC&W DMPV 55993 is seen stabled in Manchester Victoria on 27-8-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

29th October 1983

55993 propels a GUV through Manchester Victoria at 11:05 on the 29th Oct 1983. This was possibly a Red Bank to Piccadilly working and the MPMV's would have had to reverse to get to the south side of Manchester at Ordsall - before the Windsor link had been completed. Paul Moxon.

November 1983

Class 128 parcels DMU 55993 is seen towing GUV E93627 through Manchester Victoria in November 1983. S Gaskell.

circa 1985

Class 128 55993 Newton Heath depot circa 1985. Mike Bunker.

circa 1985

Set number: TS003

I'm not sure why this DPU (55993) was attached to the rear of this Hereford - Birmingham DMU, seen at Shelwick Junction, Hereford - it certainly wasn't a regular occurrence. Perhaps it was added to an ailing DMU to give it a bit more power...! John Crooks.

31st May 1985

M55993 at Manchester Piccadilly at 12:40 on 31st May 1985. Paul Moxon.

5th July 1985

Multied up and in numeric order, Class 128s 55993/55994/55995 head south for further duties around the West Midlands on 5th July 1985 with their transfer from Newton Heath to Tyseley. Taken near Hasland, Chesterfield. Paul Moxon.

7th December 1985

Class 128 55993, set number T003, is seen at Tyseley on 07.12.1985 having been rubbed down ready for painting into Express Parcels livery. The roof had already been painted silver. Andy Cole.

circa 1986

Set number: TS003

Class 128 55993 in Derby station circa 1986. Mike Bunker.

20th March 1986

Set number: T003

Class 128 55993 is seen passing Saltley on 20.03.1986 in Express Parcels livery. This particular car had it's former headcode boxes completely removed rather than plating over. Andy Cole.

Class 128 DMU at Birmingham International

11th April 1986

M55993 at Birmingham International in the Parcels Red stripe livery - 11/4/86. Paul Moxon.

14 April 1986

Set number: T003

Class 128 no. 55993 at Derby on 14 April 1986. Jonathan Hazan.

18th April 1986

Set number: T003

Class 128 55993, set number T003, is seen stabled at Tyseley on 18.04.1986 in Express Parcels livery. Andy Cole.

8th May 1986

Set number: TS003

Class 128 DMPV 55993 at Northampton Station on 8th May 1986. AndrewHA.

11th June 1986

Class 128 55993 is seen in Chester depot on the 11th June 1993. Gazza Prescott.

12th June 1986

Set number: TS003

Class 128 Gloucester DMPV 55993 in Platform 5 at Derby on 12-6-86. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

12th June 1986

Set number: TS003

Class 128 Gloucester DMPV 55993 in Platform 5 at Derby on 12-6-86. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

14th June 1986

Class 128 parcels DMU No. 55993 stands on display at Aylesbury during an open day at the station on 14 June 1986. Brian Creasey.

2nd July 1986

Set number: TS003

Class 128 55993 in Crewe station on 2 July 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.

12th July 1986

Set number: TS003

Diesel Parcels Unit M55993, built by Gloucester RCW Co, in the bay platform at Rugby on 12 July 1986. The Class 40 behind the DPU is 40013, and both items were on display in connection with the Open Day being held at Rugby depot on that day. Lewis Bevan.

7th August 1986

128 55993 Gloucester parcels unit ambles through Southall on 7 August 1986. Colin Brooks.

circa 1987

Set number: T003

Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

circa 1987

Set number: T003

Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

circa 1987

Set number: T003

Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

1987

Set number: T003

Parcels DMU 55993 passes through Whitchurch station in 1987. John Law.

22nd April 1987

Set number: T003

Class 128 DMPMV no. 55993 in Red Star Parcels livery is seen at Crewe on 22/Apr/1987. In the adjacent platform is class 150 unit no. 150 140 on which I had just travelled from Derby. Robert Chilton.

4th May 1987

Set number: T003

The Mendip Meaderer railtour on 4/5/87 is seen near Merehead, led by 55993. Tom Clift.

12th May 1987

Set number: T003

Class 128 parcel car 55993 in platform 5 at Derby on 12 May 1987. Rob Paterson.

4th October 1987

Set number: T003

55993 with 55033, Tyseley open day, 4/10/87. Malcolm Clements.

4th October 1987

Set number: T003

55993, Tyseley open day, 4/10/87. Malcolm Clements.

22nd February 1988

At Vic Berry's on the 22nd February 1988 are a grounded suburban DMU vehicle, a Class 128 DMPV 55993 on the right what seems to be 975540 behind. Nicholas Youngman.

May 1988

Set number: 003

Class 128 DMLV, 55993, set No 003, stabled in Abbey Foregate sidings Shrewsbury. The photo was taken sometime between 2nd and 7th May 1988. Paul James.

6th May 1988

Set number: 003

Parcels DMU 55993 passes Kings Sutton Station on 6-5-88. Ian Cuthbertson Collection.

25th June 1988

Class 128 DMPV 55993 is on the rear of a local to Piccadilly departing from platform 1 at Crewe, whilst 37-429 'Eisteddfod Genedlaethol' arrives with the 17-14 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff. 25-6-88. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

28th June 1988

Set number: 003

Not the most elegant of railway vehicles, and painting it bright red and yellow definitely draws attention to it's lack of aesthetics. Class 128 Luggage Van 55993 sits under the bay canopies at Crewe on 28th June 1988 after arriving with a Parcels working. Despite it's appearance, it would be nice to see one in service today! Syd Young.

Unknown date

Set number: T003

Thought to be the only time a Class 128 has visited Skegness, sometime in the late 1980's. 55993 was attached to an excursion train - for some reason it remained attached to the formation throughout the trip! Peter (LEYTR).

1988

Set number: 003

Class 128 parcel car 55993 at Trent Junction sometime in 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.

1988

Set number: TS003

Class 128 parcel car 55993 at Trent Junction. Date unknown, it was painted into this livery circa spring 1988 when it was a Tyseley vehicle and it has a Tyseley set number in the cab window. It was transferred to Cambridge in late November 1988, so this is presumably before then. Stuart Mackay Collection.

20th August 1988

Set number: T003

Class 128 DPU M55993 at Cambridge on 20 August 1988. Lewis Bevan.

circa summer 1988

Set number: T003

On one occasion 55993 led a 10 car summer service to Skegness and was of interest to local enthusiasts and station staff as 128's were not common at this location. The usual array of Tyseley suburban cars reportedly had the DPU added for a large party of disabled persons wheelchairs. On the day they didn't actually turn up or use it. The empty interior is seen here. The set number T003 suggests this was the summer of 1988 as it would be reallocated to Cambridge by the end of the year. Peter Skegness.

Unknown date

55993 is seen at Cambridge in its Royal Mail livery. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.

28th March 1989

Seen entering Crewe Station from the North on the 28th March 1989 are Class 128 DMPMVs M55993 and M55995, both in Royal Mail red livery. Both would be withdrawn during November 1990 and scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow in April 1991. Bob Woolnough.

20th June 1989

Class 128/114/BG 55993 / 55994 / 55932 + 54902 / 84114 on a Peterborough to Norwich parcels at Queen Adelaide (Ely), 20/06/89. Nicholas Youngman.

6th May 1990

Class 128 Gloucester RC&W single unit parcels DMU 55993 on display at the Bescot open day on 6th May 1990. Bob Belcher.

6th May 1990

Class 128 parcel car 55993 at Bescot on 6 May 1990. David Mant.

1st June 1990

Class 128 vehicle 55993 approaching Crewe station on 1 June 1990. Keith Miller.

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.

18th August 1990

Barry Open Day 18th August 1990. In common with most open days in wales the weather was raining so as you can imagine everyone went for the cover of the engine shed. The vehicles, from left to right, are Class 128 55993 and Class 114 55929 + 54904. Alex Drennan.

18th August 1990

Speaking in front of Class 128 DMPV 55993 at Barry depot open day on August 18, 1990, from left to right is Dia Woodham, the Lady Mayoress of Barry, Labour MP John Smith and the Mayor of Barry. Alex Drennan.

23rd August 1990

My train back to Hereford. A rake of 6 DPU vehicles made up of a mix of Class 128 (55993 thought to be closest) and converted Class 114 types, sat in the Up Loop at Abergavenny. The signalman has already pulled off the the next Up service, and my guard, ex Hereford Guard, "Big" John Watkins is making his way back to the train, after telling the signalman what he thought of him. Not 100% sure of the date, but probably 23rd August 1990. Paul James.

6th October 1993

Set number: T003

Class 128 Royal Mail DMLV at Derby, 6 October 1988. Andrew Walker.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 22nd October 1966

Set number: P4

DMPV 55996 on an up working at Galton Bridge, Smethwick at 1.02pm on October 22nd, 1966. The vehicle has been turned since passing over the bridge the previous week. The P4 in the window is a set number, on this date Tyseley had 55993-6, so this was the 4th parcel vehicle. Michael Mensing.

Date: 22nd March 1975

Class 128s at Chester station 22 March 1975. I have a choice of three from my log book that day. These should be two from M55993, M55994 or M55995. I also wish I'd composed the shot better and got the whole of the signals in. Oh well I can always go back another day... Update: closest vehicle now identified as M55995 and M55994. Alistair Ness.

Date: 22nd March 1975

Class 128s at Chester station 22 March 1975. I have a choice of three from my log book that day. These should be two from M55993, M55994 or M55995. Update: thought to be 55994 and 55995. Alistair Ness.