Vehicle 55997 / 975385
Class 129
Builder: Cravens
Layout: Parcels Van
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Yellow Diamond
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30418
Diagram: 531
Allocations
| Jul-58 | New to | 5B (Crewe South) | |
| Sep-58 | Transferred to | 12B (Carlisle Upperby) | |
| Jun-60 | Transferred to | 14A (Cricklewood) | |
| 5w/e 30/07/60 | Transferred to | 12B (Carlisle Upperby) | |
| 3w/e 03/05/69 | Transferred to | 9D (Newton Heath) | |
| 4w/e 31/10/71 | Transferred to | 6A (Chester) | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | CH | |
| 14/10/73 | Withdrawn from | CH (Chester) | |
| 03/05/75 | To departmental stock | RTC (Derby RTC) | |
| circa Jan-86 | Withdrawn |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55997 - original number
975385 - from Apr-75 (departmental stock)
Department Use as RDB975385
Laboratory Coach 9, name Hydra from 1980. From 4/75 to 1985.
Disposal
Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester
Images:
29th August 1966
With two jumper cables hanging down suggesting it has recently been uncoupled from a Derby Lightweight unit, DMPV M55997 is seen in Carlisle station on the 29th August 1966. Michael Mensing.
10th April 1971
Cravens class 129 motor parcels van No.M55997 is seen at Newton Heath depot on 10th April 1971, with the new diesel depot under construction behind. This MPV operated with the Derby Lightweight units on the Maryport and Carlisle Line for many years before reallocation to Chester. M55997 was the first of the three 150hp AEC-engined parcels vans in this class and were built by Cravens in 1958. They ended their working days working from Chester and were withdrawn 1972/73. This unit eventually went to the Railway Technical Centre at Derby as RDB975385 'Laboratory Coach 9' named 'Hydra'. Gordon Edgar.
19th February 1972
Cravens MPV's 55997 & 55999 at Chester General, 19/2/72 Anthony Griffiths.
16th September 1972
An ex-works M55997 at Chester on 16/09/72. As the Class 129 was Yellow Diamond vehicle, it couldn't multiple to the vehicles that sandwich it. As the Met-Camm vehicle behind also appears to be ex-works, perhaps these vehicles were loco-hauled from works? Note the vehicle code painted on the cab is 'MPTV'. David Mant.
25th February 1973
A Cravens single car Parcels Unit M55997 is seen approaching Gobowen Station on the 25th of February 1973. The KDH Archive.
17th April 1973
Cravens parcel unit M55997 at Chester on 17th April 1973. One of only 3 built. James Hardwick.
1979
975385 seen 'behind the bike shed' at the Derby RTC in 1979. Malcolm Clements.
1979
975385 (ex-55997) at the Derby RTC in 1979. Malcolm Clements.
February 1979
Three Class 129 Motor Parcel Vans were built by Cravens of Sheffield in 1958. All were withdrawn from service in 1973 but one, M55997 survived as a research vehicle at the Railway Technical Centre at Derby renumbered RDB975385 - Laboratory 9. The car became a test bed for Hydrostatic Drive in 1980, but was withdrawn for a second time in 1984 and scrapped at Vic Berrys Yard, Leicester. The car was at Doncaster Works in February 1979. Martyn Hilbert.
circa September 1980
A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385, circa September 1980. It has had one B4 bogie fitted with a hydrostatic drive, later on it would gain a second. British Rail.
circa September 1980
A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385, probably circa September 1980, showing the bogie fitted with the experimental drive. It was not the only DMU to have B4 bogies, the Class 123s were fitted with them and as was one Class 120 buffet car. British Rail.
7th September 1980
A publicity image of Cravens single-car RDB975385 on the Old Dalby test track on 7the September 1980 after the former parcel vehicle began to be used for hydraulic transmission tests. The hydrostatic drive gained it the name 'Hydra'. British Rail.
July 1986
Class 129 975385 (ex-55997) "Hydra" at Vic Berrys, Leicester, with a 3-car blue/grey Class 104 (right to left 53510 + 59210 + 53565), in early July 1986. Ian Francis.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 4th April 1968
Carlisle station platforms 4th April 1968. From left to right, a Cravens parcels car - certain to be M55997 - a 350hp shunter with MkI sleepers, a Derby Lightweight with a Keswick service, and a Met-Camm probably on a Newcastle service. Bryan Jeyes.
Date: 1972
Two Cravens DMPVs at Chester General, probably in 1972. The three Class 129 vehicles were transferred to Chester at the end of 1971, and 55998 was withdrawn by the end of 1972. For the vehicle on the right, the lack of bars on the first bodyside window shows us the guards compartment was at this end. The text under the window (Tail Load Tare Weight Not to Exceed 32 tons) was in a different style on each vehicle at this time, identifying it as 55997 (see image 6017). Stuart Mackay Collection.