Vehicle 55019 / 975042
Class 122
Builder: GRC&W
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30419
Diagram: 539
Allocations
| Jul-58 | New to | 81D (Reading) | |
| by Jun-61 | Transferred to | 83D (Laira) | |
| 10/09/62 | Transferred to | 84E (Tyseley) | |
| 01/01/63 | Boundary change | 84E | transferred from WR to LMR stock |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 2A | |
| Jul-64 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| by mid-Oct-65 | Transferred to | 84A (Laira) | |
| Oct-66 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 4w/e 04/05/68 | Stored | ||
| Jun-68 | Reinstated | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 3w/e 03/08/68 | Transferred to | 2A (Tyseley) | |
| 3w/e 28/06/69 | Transferred to | 9D (Newton Heath) | - for trials on the Bury to Rawtenstall line |
| 2w/e 11/10/69 | Transferred to | 2A (Tyseley) | |
| 02/11/69 | To departmental stock | 2A (Tyseley) | - route learner |
| by Dec-70 | Transferred to | D10 Preston Div. | |
| by 01/03/81 | Transferred to | TS (Tyseley) | |
| by 01/01/85 | Transferred to | LMR | |
| Mar-88 | Reinstated | BY (Bletchley) | - also now used for sandite |
| by 21/06/90 | Transferred to | TS (Tyseley) | |
| by 20/11/91 | Transferred to | BY (Bletchley) |
Notes
June 1969 - M55019 spent a few weeks allocated to Newton Heath depot during which it operating experimentally on the Bury to Rawtenstall line. It was perfectly adequate for the mid-week services but could not cope with Saturday loadings and the branch reverted to power twins, mainly Cravens 105s but occasionally Derby 108s until closure.
02/11/69 - After transfer to departmental stock it became a training vehicle in the Preston Division.
early Nov-69 - transferred to Carlisle
2nd July 1979 - DB975042 noted at Liverpool Lime Street.
31st October 1987 - Seen in Vic Berry's yard, Leicester for asbestos removal.
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55019 - original number
975042 - from Nov-69 (departmental stock)
Department Use as TDB / ADB975042
Route Learner (TDB) then Sandite (ADB) from 8/93 From 11/69 to ?. Carried set number 960015
Disposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| LA107 | 55019 | Listed at - Apr-61 | |||||||
| LA107 | 55019 | Listed at 84A - mid-Oct-65 | |||||||
| TY059 | 55019 | Noted circa Jun-69 | |||||||
| 975042 | Noted 31/10/71 - Guide Bridge area1 | ||||||||
| 975042 | Noted 10/06/85 - leaving Luton 13.45 arriving Bedford 14.022 | ||||||||
| 975042 | Noted 22/04/1987 - at Crewe3 | ||||||||
| T007 | 975042 | Noted circa 05/19894 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Phil Shatford
3: Robert Chilton
4: Eddie Knorn
Images:
circa July 1958
Three pairs of brand new GRC&W units (single cars with driving trailer) on Southall depot. Closest is W55019 which was new to Reading depot in July 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
21st June 1967
GRC&W double-ender W55019 at Penarth on 21 June 1967 after arriving with the 1.50pm from Cadoxton. A Derby suburban triple set is behind. Robert Thomas.
circa early 1970s
Class 122 Route learner DB975042 and a Class 108 DTCL stabled in the sidings beside the old East Lancs platforms at Preston circa early 1970s. Adrian Sutterby Collection.
15th November 1971
DB975042 ex 55019 desending the Worsborough Incline with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley road learning special on 15 November 1971. Keith Long.
15th November 1971
DB975042 ex-55019 descending the Worsborough Incline with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley road learning special 15th November 1971. Keith Long.
24th November 1971
DB975042 passing Dunford East with 1Z02 0830 Guide Bridge to Wath and Tinsley route learning special on 24th November 1971. Keith Long.
9th September 1973
With the eastern end of the 2 mile and 346 yard long Disley Tunnel in view, a Gloucester RC&W Co 1958 built class 122 dmu 55019, now departmental route learning car DB975042, is captured on what was then a freight only route that is now part of the Hope Valley line to Sheffield. 9th September 1973. Andrew J Crowther.
Unknown date
LMR Class 122 route learner DB975042 at Whittington station on the Midland 'Old Road' from Chesterfield to Sheffield, circa early 1980s. Paul Redmond.
March 1977
Route learner 975042. I'd not yet joined the railway brotherhood when I took this at Stockport in March 1977. Arnie Furniss.
20th April 1978
A publicity image (Central Photographic Unit negative W8378-4) showing many DMUs on Tyseley depot on 20 April 1978. In the foreground is a Class 122 - the windscreen wiper on the centre cab window shows that this is a route learner and appears to be 975042. British Rail.
1979
Route learner DB975042 in Leeds in 1979. John Law.
1979
Route learner DB975042 in Leeds station in 1979. John Law.
28th June 1979
Route learner DB975042 in Liverpool Lime Street station on Thursday 28 June 1979. David Russon.
28th September 1979
DB975042 at Wolverhampton on 28/09/79. Steve Jones.
Unknown date
LMR Class 122 route learner DB975042, possibly on Derby Etches Park depot, date unknown. Paul Redmond.
4th March 1982
Route learner TDB975042 seen in Chesterfield station on the 4th March 1982. Vincent Haworth.
April 1982
Toton shed from the road learning Class 122 DMU - April 1982. A very convivial two weeks spent on this single car DMU! Guard Heyl and myself already knew as far as Tibshelf in that direction and Derby in the other direction so a few games of scrabble or cards took place! Arnie Furniss.
April 1982
Driver C.E. Bowlas, Guard Arnie Furniss and Driver Bob Malpas. Photo of DB975042 by Howard Heyl in April 1982. On the route learning DMU near Bradway Tunnel, en route to Toton. We had three weeks on this and some of us knew Derby, Doe Hill, Westhouses etc. already so we had a great time watching the world go by and playing Scrabble! Arnie Furniss.
April 1982
Road learning DMU 975042 on Toton - April 1982. The travelling mess room. A very enjoyable couple of weeks was spent on this machine! Arnie Furniss.
April 1982
The Blues Brothers on the Toton leg of their tour! DB975042 forms a backdrop at Toton in April, 1982, to some of the route learning contingent from Guide Bridge. Look how proud they stand, this sums up British Rail, a group of guys working for the UK wide network before Thatcher ruined it. From left to right - Bob Malpas, Eddy Bowlas, Norman Robinson, Frank something or other, Jack Wright, Bill Millerin and guard something or other? This was an amazing few weeks. Woodhead had shut, thoughts of depot closure had evaporated when new work was coming our way and the future looked hopeful. On top of that, many of us already knew Derby, Tibshelf and Westhouses so the bits in between didn't take that long to learn, meaning a three week 'jolly' to form some stronger bonds with fellow railwaymen, which was a privilege. Arnie Furniss.
May 1983
Route Learner DB975042 at Kegworth in May 1983. Mel Smith.
27th August 1983
Class 122 Route learner 975042 inside Buxton depot on 27/8/83, with a Class 104 outside. The blue sign at the entrance to the depot begins 'DMU Only Past This Point'. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
27th September 1983
Class 122 Gloucester RCW single car DMBS TDB975042 (ex-55019) with many missing saloon windows, Chester depot 27-9-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
10th October 1983
Class 122 GRCW single car DMU route learning saloon (note the wiper on the centre windscreen), almost certainly 975042 (ex-55019) approaching Carlisle Kingmoor on the Down, 11-10-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
29th June 1984
Gloucester Class 122, single car DMU, TDB 975042, originally 55019, runs through Preston, 29th June 1984. Paul James.
1985
GRC&W route learning vehicle DB975042 at Carlisle sometime in 1985. David Rhodes.
9th February 1985
975042 (ex-55019) seen at Manchester Victoria on the 9th February 1985. Paul Moxon.
26th July 1985
A class 122 DMU in departmental service - presumably 975042 - at Crewe on 26th July 1985. Jonathan Hazan.
26th July 1985
Class 122 departmental bubble car 975042 at Crewe station on July 26, 1985. Jonathan Hazan.
27th July 1985
Class 122 GRC&W single car DMU as route learning saloon DB975042 (ex-55019) checking out Crewe the weekend after the station reopened following the big blockade, 27-7-85 probably. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
7th December 1985
DB975042 is seen stabled at Tyseley carriage sidings on 07.12.1985. It was converted from 55019 and was used as a route learning car. Andy Cole.
12th June 1986
Gloucester RC&W Co 1958 built class 122 dmu M55019, now departmental route learning car DB975042, is captured passing through Buxworth Cutting heading towards Sheffield on the Hope Valley line, 12th June 1986. Andrew J Crowther.
26th July 1986
GRC&W route learner 975042 stabled at Buxton depot alongside 45 012 on 26 July 1986. Keith Miller.
14th August 1986
Buxton semaphore, 14th August 1986. 47 131 and route learning car DB975042 are visible beyond, as well as a Class 108 on the left. Robert28194.
circa 1987
Single car unit DB975042 leaves Hereford with a "route learning" special to Worcester circa 1987. John Crooks.
17th April 1987
Class 122 single car route learning DMU TDB975042 heads south through Great Goytre, between Pontrilas and Abergavenny, on 17th April 1987. Paul James.
21st April 1987
975042 approaches the crossing at Ford Bridge, 21st April 1987. Steve Davies Collection.
21st April 1987
975042 approaches the crossing at Ford Bridge, 21st April 1987. Steve Davies Collection.
25th May 1987
On 25 May 1987 I was on the tower of Shrewsbury Castle ready for a shot of D200 working a Cardiff to Crewe service. Shortly before this came along BR blue single unit, 975042, forming part of the departmental fleet. As it arrived at the station looking a bit dwarfed by its surroundings, including the Severn Bridge Junction signal box, there was no other traffic in sight save the 08 shunter. In the 2021 the signal box benefitted from a £250,000 refurbishment which, in times gone by, would quite possibly have meant imminent closure! Peter Tandy.
19th August 1987
Route learner 975042 at Newport on August 19, 1987. Colin Brooks.
20th February 1988
975042 sitting at Cricklewood, 20/2/88. It carries a Vic Berrys sign in a middle window, presumably it's been for asbestos stripping. It still has AEC engines. Malcolm Clements.
11th April 1988
975042 was originally built as W55019, a Class 122 single car unit built in 1958 and allocated to Reading for use on the many branch lines on the London Division of the Western Region. Departing RG in June 1961 it was reallocated to various other depots on both the Western and Midland Regions before being transferred to departmental stock in November 1969 as a Route Learner in the Preston Division of the LMR. It remained on these duties, operating from various Midland sheds until it was converted to a Sandite vehicle sometime around the turn of the 21st Century. After a period out of use it was purchased for preservation at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway .... Here it is seen on Old Oak Common for route learning duties on 11th April 1988. Nigel Mack.
29th August 1988
Headed by 975042 locked off to the public, the 13:31 Lichfield to Longbridge pulls out of Birmingham New Street on 29/8/88. PJ Evans.
17th December 1988
975042 at Bedford on 17/12/88. Robert Frise.
17th December 1988
975042 at Bedford on 17/12/88. Robert Frise.
8th April 1989
Class 122 975042 is seen inside the factory at Tyseley on 08.04.1989. The closest buffer is missing. Andy Cole.
Unknown date
Set number: T007
Class 122 Route learner 975042 (unit T007) seen passing Water Orton, date unknown. Bob Belcher.
13th January 1990
Set number: L119
Class 122 DMU, carrying the set number L119, but in reality Route Leaning car TDB975042, ex 55019, at Ilford EMU depot. Photo taken sometime during week ending 13th January 1990. Behind is a Class 108 DMCL or DTCL. Paul James.
circa June 1990
Set number: L119
Seen Arriving at Leamington Spa on a route learning departmental duty in the summer of 1990 is Class 122 "Bubble Car" unit L119 (975042). Not the lack of a partition behind the driver. Until November 1969, this was 55019 in the passenger carrying fleet. I believe that shortly after this view (in July 1990) it was repainted into Network South East livery at Doncaster works. Bob Belcher.
circa June 1990
Set number: L119
A busy moment at Leamington Spa in the spring of 1990. Platform 1 is occupied by Class 150 Sprinter, whilst an inter city liveried class 47 takes the down through road with a northbound cross country train and platform 3 is occupied by recently arrived class 122 route learner "Bubble Car" 975042 (unit L119). Bob Belcher.
10th June 1990
Set number: L119
975042 at Doncaster Works on the 10th June 1990. S Gaskell.
29th July 1990
Set number: L119
975042 - the former 55019 - seen recently repainted and on accommodation bogies in Doncaster Works on the 29th July 1990. The lack of partition between the cab and passenger saloon is a sign this is a route-learning vehicle. S Gaskell.
1990
Set number: L119
Class 122 975042 and a Chiltern Lines 115 at Aylesbury in 1990. John Law.
1990s
Class 122 sandite / route learner 975042 seen at Coventry. Date unknown, it was painted into NSE livery in July 1990 and was in Railtrack livery by 2000. Stuart Mackay Collection.
September 1994
Set number: L119
NSE liveried Class 122 975042 seen at Reading in September 1994. Tim Stubbs.
16th May 1995
Berthed at Bletchley Depot route trainer 975042, ex 55019, on 16th May 1995. Ian Buck.
22nd September 1995
Route learner 55019 at Stratford Low Level on 22nd September 1995. Once on the North Woolwich line, the Docklands Light Railway now works here. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Set number: 122019
975042 at Bletchley TMD, date unknown. Graham Baker.
3rd February 2000
Repainted in Railtrack brown 975042 (55019) is stabled at Bletchley Depot on 3rd February 2000. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Set number: 960015
975042 stabled at Aylesbury. Date unknown. Robert Frise Collection.
31st May 2003
Set number: 960015
975042 at Crewe Diesel Depot on 31st May '03. Steve Hodgson.
31st May 2003
Set number: 960015
975042 at Crewe Diesel Depot, 31st May '03. Steve Hodgson.
7th July 2003
Set number: 960015
Railtrack Class 122 in the midst of building work at Aylesbury depot on July 7, 2003. Stuart Mackay.
25th August 2003
Set number: 960015
975042 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
25th August 2003
Set number: 960015
975042, 977873, 977866 and 977858 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
25th August 2003
Set number: 960015
Sandite car 975042 (set 960015) is seen at Aylesbury on the 25th August 2003. This vehicle was originally 55019. Robert Frise.
7th June 2004
Set number: 960015
Class 122 975042, set number 960 015, is seen at Derby RTC in Railtrack livery on 07.06.2004. This was converted from 55019. Andy Cole.
19th July 2004
Set number: 960015
Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 975042 (ex-55019) as 960-015 in Railtrack livery, Derby RTC from train 19-7-04. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
8th September 2004
975042 during it's repaint into Network Rail yellow livery at Aylesbury on 8/9/04. The doors are all open as I'd just painted all the door edges. Stuart Mackay.
8th September 2004
975042 freshly painted in Aylesbury depot on 8/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
8th September 2004
975042 during a repaint into the then current Network Rail livery, as part of a G-exam. Seen at Aylesbury depot on 8/9/04, other work included re-instating all the previously plated over windows, and fitting tripcocks for working over LT lines. Stuart Mackay.
6th November 2004
Set number: 960015
975042 after it's repaint into the Network Rail yellow livery sits in Aylesbury depot D road, 6/11/2004. Roger Marks.
15th January 2007
Set number: 960015
Sitting in the sidings next to Aylesbury station, 975042 seems to have the middle side window sheeted over. 15/1/07. Fred Clark.
3rd March 2007
Class 122 975042 and Class 121 977858 stabled beside Aylesbury station on March 3, 2007. John Grey Turner.
18th April 2009
Set number: 960015
Former Class 121 No. 55019, now unit Class 960 No. 960015 (975042) is stabled at Aylesbury on 18 April 2009. Brian Creasey.
27th July 2009
975042 at Aylesbury on July 27, 2009. Nigel Walls.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 18th January 1965
An official image from the Swindon Works Accident series, negative 5AB/54. Left to right are W50868, W59269, W55019. 18/1/65. British Railways.
Date: April 1982
Three weeks road learning at Toton, most of it on single unit DB975042 until it disappeared mysteriously on the last week. Here Guide Bridge Driver Norman 'Nobby' Robinson is seen here at the helm of the replacement 2 car unit, 56116 and 51124. Taken somewhere in the Hope Valley. Note the traditional brew can lid on the window sill! Arnie Furniss.
Date: 20th August 1982
The crowds have gathered at Doncaster to see the Deltics moved from Doncaster Works to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on 20 August 1982. Surrounded by Class 101, 110 and 114 DMUs Class 37 No 37100 is about to depart from the works with 55009 ALYCIDON and 55019 ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIER. Keith Long.
Date: 25th June 1994
Set number: L705
L705 (51400 + 51358) 117722 (51387 + 51345), ADB975042 and ADB977723 at Bletchley on 25.6.94. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: circa May 2002
Set number: 121027
121027 at the head of the line-up of stabled heritage DMUs on the Branch Siding at Aylesbury. Immediately behind is 960015 (975042). Greg Scott.
Date: 15th January 2007
Sitting in the sidings at Aylesbury station, 15/1/07 beside 975042. Fred Clark.