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
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24/05/91 | Withdrawn from | CH (Chester) |
Nov-74 - Dual AWS fitted
Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn
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
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.
W55993 departs from Princes End & Coseley station with a BG on tow with a southbound pigeon special on Sunday 30 July 1961. Michael Mensing.
Parcels DMU M55993 is stabled at Soho depot in Birmingham on the 31st of December 1967. The KDH Archive.
Class 128 DMPV 55993 with a GUV at Manchester Victoria, date unknown. John Grey Turner.
A London Midland Region publicity image showing Class 128 DMPV M59993 in Shrewsbury station circa late 1970s. British Rail.
Two GRC&W parcel DMUs with a BG in tow, seen in Shrewsbury station, circa early 1970s. Graham Clark.
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.
GRCW DMPV 55993 departs from Shrewsbury on 31/08/78. Steve Jones.
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.
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.
55993 sits in the company of 59437 (left) and 56283 (right) at Stratford on the 21st February 1980. Ed Kibey.
M55993 and M55994 hauling E80618 arrive at Shrewsbury 15th November 1980. Keith Long.
Class 129 DMPV M55993 heads away from Manchester Victoria circa early 1980s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Parcels Van 55993 seen at Chester depot on 27 June 1981. Jerry Glover.
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.
Class 128 55993 is seen passing Nuneaton on 26.10.1982 still in BR all over blue livery. Andy Cole.
M55993 seen passing the now demolished signal box at Victoria East on 2nd April 1983. Paul Moxon.
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.
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.
Class 128 parcels DMU 55993 is seen towing GUV E93627 through Manchester Victoria in November 1983. S Gaskell.
Class 128 55993 Newton Heath depot circa 1985. Mike Bunker.
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.
M55993 at Manchester Piccadilly at 12:40 on 31st May 1985. Paul Moxon.
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.
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.
Class 128 55993 in Derby station circa 1986. Mike Bunker.
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.
M55993 at Birmingham International in the Parcels Red stripe livery - 11/4/86. Paul Moxon.
Class 128 no. 55993 at Derby on 14 April 1986. Jonathan Hazan.
Class 128 55993, set number T003, is seen stabled at Tyseley on 18.04.1986 in Express Parcels livery. Andy Cole.
Class 128 DMPV 55993 at Northampton Station on 8th May 1986. AndrewHA.
Class 128 55993 is seen in Chester depot on the 11th June 1993. Gazza Prescott.
Class 128 Gloucester DMPV 55993 in Platform 5 at Derby on 12-6-86. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Class 128 Gloucester DMPV 55993 in Platform 5 at Derby on 12-6-86. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Class 128 parcels DMU No. 55993 stands on display at Aylesbury during an open day at the station on 14 June 1986. Brian Creasey.
Class 128 55993 in Crewe station on 2 July 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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.
128 55993 Gloucester parcels unit ambles through Southall on 7 August 1986. Colin Brooks.
Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Class 128 55993 thought to be at Trent Junction circa 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Parcels DMU 55993 passes through Whitchurch station in 1987. John Law.
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.
The Mendip Meaderer railtour on 4/5/87 is seen near Merehead, led by 55993. Tom Clift.
Class 128 parcel car 55993 in platform 5 at Derby on 12 May 1987. Rob Paterson.
55993 with 55033, Tyseley open day, 4/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
55993, Tyseley open day, 4/10/87. Malcolm Clements.
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.
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.
Parcels DMU 55993 passes Kings Sutton Station on 6-5-88. Ian Cuthbertson Collection.
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.
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.
Class 128 parcel car 55993 at Trent Junction sometime in 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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).
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.
Class 128 DPU M55993 at Cambridge on 20 August 1988. Lewis Bevan.
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.
55993 is seen at Cambridge in its Royal Mail livery. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.
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.
Class 128/114/BG 55993 / 55994 / 55932 + 54902 / 84114 on a Peterborough to Norwich parcels at Queen Adelaide (Ely), 20/06/89. Nicholas Youngman.
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W single unit parcels DMU 55993 on display at the Bescot open day on 6th May 1990. Bob Belcher.
Class 128 parcel car 55993 at Bescot on 6 May 1990. David Mant.
Class 128 vehicle 55993 approaching Crewe station on 1 June 1990. Keith Miller.
A pair of class 128's (55993 and 55991) arrive at Crewe from the south, at 12.15 on 7/7/90. Leonard Rogers.
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.
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.
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.
Class 128 Royal Mail DMLV at Derby, 6 October 1988. Andrew Walker.
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.
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.
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.
55994 & 55993 in a typical parcel train at Chester, 12/2/77. Anthony Griffiths.
Parcel cars M55993 and 55994 seen at Chester on May 30th, 1978. Rex Holt.
Class 128 parcels bubble car 55995 is seen passing Saltley on 20.10.1984. Tyseley had three of these, 55993 - 55995. Andy Cole.
Ex-works 55994 with 55993 behind in Crewe station in 1988. Gazza Prescott.
Class 114 parcels unit 54900 + 55930 and Class 128 55993, in the south-west bay at Crewe on the 4th August 1990. Paul Bettany.
Withdrawn Class 114 and 128 parcel DMUs at Inverness on March 6, 1991. 54902 with 55932 54900 55930 55993 and 55994. Roddy MacPhee.