Vehicle 55021 / 977723
Class 121
Builder: Pressed Steel
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: AEC 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30518
Diagram: 512
Allocations
| Nov-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) | |
| 19/11/91 | To departmental stock | BY (Bletchley) |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55021 - original number
977723 - from Nov-91 (departmental stock)
Department Use as ADB977723
Sandite / Route Learner From 11/91 to 2005. Carried set number 960021
Modifications
27/10/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 26/11/77 - Leyland engines fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 19/09/1980 released in blue/grey liverySome sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 55021 | 59477 | 51325 | Noted 04/08/19711 | ||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||||
| 55021 | 56287 | Noted 18/05/1979 - 1502 Slough to Windsor and Eton Central | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 28/08/1979 - At Old Oak Common2 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 31/03/1984 - Monmouthshire Railway Society Coed Ely Coupling Railtour L400+L415+55021 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 20/04/1985 - Monmouthshire Railway Society The Maerdy Gras Railtour L407+L413+55021 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 23/11/1985 - Hertfordshire Rail Tours The Anglian Vibrator Railtour L411+55021+L412 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 21/06/19863 | |||||||
| 55021 | 59494 | 51384 | Noted circa 09/19863 | ||||||
| 55021 | 59494 | 51384 | Noted 13/09/1986 - at Reading4 | ||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted circa 08/19873 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at OO - Aug-87 | |||||||
| 121 | 55021 | Noted circa 06/19883 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted circa 02/19893 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at OO - 15/05/89 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Listed at OO - 21/01/91 | |||||||
| L121 | 55021 | Noted 01/04/91 - at Royal Oak5 |
Formation Sources
1: Peter Wallwork
2: Shayne Lewis
3: Eddie Knorn
4: Robert Chilton
5: Gerald Brown
Images:
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/230) showing 55021 at Swindon Works on 24/11/60. British Railways.
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/233). The guards van of 55021 on 24/11/60. British Railways.
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/234). The drivers compartment of 55021 on 24/11/60. British Railways.
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/235). The interior of 55021 on 24/11/60. British Railways.
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/236). The number two end cab of 55021 on 24/11/60. British Railways.
24th November 1960
Official Swindon Works image (Negative 5CR/229). A side view of 55021 at Swindon Works on 24/11/60. British Railways.
21st July 1962
BR single unit diesel railcar W 55021 (Pressed Steel/1960) together with a single-ended trailer car at West Drayton with the Staines West branch train, 21 July 1962. John Cosford.
21st July 1962
Single unit diesel railcar W 55021 (Pressed Steel/1960) together with a single-ended trailer car at Staines West on 21 July 1962. The new date painted on the end of the vehicle is 27-10-60. John Cosford.
17th August 1969
Set number: 121
Two Pressed Steel 'bubble cars' in Bourne End station on 17 August 1969. Closest is W55021 with the 12:26 Marlow-Maidenhead - is the staff member attaching a red flag rather than a tail lamp? On the left is W55027 with the 11:00 from High Wycombe. Robert Thomas.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
55021 and 56289 wait to depart from Marlow. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
55021 and 56289 at Marlow. Undated. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
55021 and DTS 56289 at Maidenhead. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
Pressed Steel Class 121 W55021 departs from Newbury station - date unknown. Note the yellow cab handrail. Stuart Mackay Collection.
11th December 1979
Set number: L121
In the bay at Slough is 55021 on the 11th December 1979. Ian Buck.
April 1980
Set number: L121
55021 calls at South Greenford Halt in April 1980. Ian Buck.
29th July 1981
Set number: L121
L121 at Greenford on 29 July 1981, awaiting departure on the 17.38 to Ealing Broadway. The bay platform 2 between the Central Line tracks is signed as 'Western Region Trains'. Tom Burnham.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
Class 121 single-car DMU 55021 (set L121) thought to be pictured in the Heyford area with a Banbury - Oxford local, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
Class 121 single-car DMU 55021 (set L121) at Heyford with an Oxford - Banbury local, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd February 1983
Set number: L121
Class 121 W55021 at Didcot North Junction on 23 February 1983. Brian Daniels.
Unknown date
Set number: L121
Class 121 55021 at Marlow, circa 1984, running with 54281 attached. Nicky Reason.
31st March 1984
Set number: L121
Class 121 55021 on the rear of the Monmouthshire "Coed Ely" railtour at Coed Ely on 31 March 1984. Robert Thomas.
31st March 1984
Set number: L121
The Monmouthshire "Coed Ely Coupling" railtour at Nantymoel on March 31 1984. Robert Thomas.
31st March 1984
Set number: L121
Class 121 "bubble car" 55021 on the end of the Monmouthshire Railway Society "Coed Ely Coupling" railtour at the Aberpergwm stop on 31 March 1984. Robert Thomas.
31st March 1984
Set number: L121
W55021 on one end of the 'Coed Ely Coupling' railtour during the stop at Aberpergwm on 31 March 1984. Robert Thomas.
31st March 1984
Set number: L121
The Monmouthshire Railway Society 'Coed Ely Coupling' railtour on 31 March 1984 seen at Swansea Docks. Closest is Pressed Steel bubble 55021, behind is Class 117 set L415 (51351 + 59503 + 51393), at the rear is another 117 (L400). David Mant.
circa May 1985
Set number: L121
Class 121 bubble car W55021 at Didcot circa May 1985. Stuart Mackay Collection.
5th July 1986
Set number: L121
Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS W55021 (Set L121) departs with The 11.42 To Ealing Broadway on 5 July 1986. Dave Warby.
5th July 1986
Set number: L121
Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS W55021 (Set L121) at Ealling Broadway with the 11.25 To Greenford on 5 July 1986. Dave Warby.
9th November 1987
Set number: L121
55021 halts at Castlebar Park on 9th November 1987. Ian Buck.
April 1988
Set number: L121
In April 1988 55021 leaves Drayton Green for Ealing Broadway. Ian Buck.
April 1988
Set number: L121
55021 prepares to return to Greenford from Ealing Broadway in April 1988. Ian Buck.
June 1988
Seen in Sonning Cutting at Woodley in June 1988 is a 121 DMBS (55021) / 101 DMBS / 121 DTS formation. Stuart Mackay Collection.
August 1988
Set number: 121
W55021 ready to leave Didcot with the 17:08 to Bicester sometime in August 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1st September 1988
Set number: 121
Bicester Town on the 1st September 1988, 55021 had arrived on the 17:32 from Oxford. Hamish Stevenson.
1st September 1988
Set number: 121
55021 sitting at Bicester Town in the 1st September 1988, having arrived with the 17:32 from Oxford. Hamish Stevenson.
20th March 1989
Set number: L121
Single unit W55021 on the Greenford Loop at West Ealing 20th March 1989. Tiptree Jon.
circa 1990
Set number: L121
NSE liveried Pressed Steel class 121 unit no. W55021 stands at Paddington with a Greenford service c1990. Paul Braybrook.
9th June 1990
Set number: L121
55021 at Paddington on 9/6/90. Sparegang.
25th June 1994
977723 is carrying North London Lines markings when seen at Bletchley TMD on the 25th June 1994. S Gaskell.
16th May 1995
Set number: L121
Now in departmental service the former 55021 is berthed at Bletchley Depot on 16th May 1995. Ian Buck.
1999
Set number: 121021
The DMU roads at Bletchley contain route learner 977723 (121 021) in Railtrack colours and 117 724 amongst many others in the 1999 view. Graham Baker.
27th August 2001
Set number: 960021
Class 121 977723, set number 960 021, is seen stabled at Tyseley Museum on 27.08.2001. Andy Cole.
21st April 2003
Set number: 960021
977723 at Aylesbury, with 977858 behind. 21st April 2003. Colin Cooke.
14th May 2004
Set number: 960021
Class 121 977723, set number 960 021, is seen at Derby on 14.05.2004 in Railtrack livery. It was converted from 55021. Andy Cole.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960021
The mid-section of 977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley on 23/9/04. The engine on this side is missing one of the rocker covers and the sandite containers can be seen through the windows above 'Railtrack'. Stuart Mackay.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum (Tyseley) on the morning of the 23rd September 2004. It's in the company of 977858 and the newly converted water jetting train centre car 977992. Stuart Mackay.
23rd September 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 was sent to Birmingham Tyseley Museum for an assessment of repairs required before the 2004 leaf fall season. Seen there on the 23rd September 2004. Stuart Mackay.
27th October 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 departs Hatton station towards Leamington Spa at lunchtime on the 27th October 2004, after it had been held at a red light. Clive Hanley.
27th October 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 arrives at Hatton station at lunchtime on the 27th October 2004, where it was held be a red light before heading out towards Leamington Spa. Clive Hanley.
27th October 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 at Hatton station at lunchtime on the 27th October 2004, where it was held be a red light before heading out towards Leamington Spa. Note the Regional Railways door. Clive Hanley.
27th October 2004
Set number: 960021
977723 at Hatton station at lunchtime on the 27th October 2004, where it was held be a red light before heading out towards Leamington Spa. Clive Hanley.
3rd March 2007
977723 stabled at Aylesbury on 3 March 2007. John Grey Turner.
10th March 2008
Set number: 960021
Pressed Steel Class 121 Railcar, Unit No.960 021, Car No.977723 (ex-W55021) in original Railtrack livery of Network Rail in sandite service at Aylesbury, 10/3/08. Hugh Llewelyn.
18th April 2009
Set number: 960021
Former Class 121 No. 55021, now 977723 unit Class 960 No. 960021 is stabled at Aylesbury on 18 April 2009. Brian Creasey.
27th July 2009
977723 at Aylesbury on July 27, 2009. Nigel Walls.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: unknown
Set number: L289
56289 and 55021 at Marlow. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Date: unknown
Set number: L289
56289 and 55021 at Marlow. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Date: circa 1974
Set number: L131
Single car 55021 at Banbury circa 1974. John Law.
Date: 24th March 1979
Set number: L284
56284 and 55021 depart from Windsor on the 24th March 1979. 54A South Dock.
Date: unknown
Set number: L281
Pressed Steel DTS (formerly a Class 149) 54281 at Marlow, circa 1984, running with 55021. Nicky Reason.
Date: 31st March 1984
A view from the Monmouthshire Railway Society "Coed Ely Coupling" railtour on 31 March 1984 at Swansea Docks. Taken onboard 59484 looking towards 51374, 51393 + 59503 + 51351 and 55021. Robert Thomas.
Date: 20th April 1985
Set number: L407
Taken eight months before the line closed forever in December 1985 this 7-car DMU formation made up of two class 117 sets L407 (51342 + 59494 + 51384) + L413 and class 121 set L121 (55021) are seen at the limit of BR working around the site of Blaengarw station which closed on 9/2/1953. The train was the Monmouthshire Railway Society 'Maerdy Gras' tour on April 20, 1985. The line continued a short distance beyond here to serve Garw colliery and the once famous Ocean colliery but tracks beyond here would be considered to be mineral railway so this train came to a stand at the first set of facing points before reversing. Adrian Nicholls.
Date: 23rd November 1985
Set number: L412
Set L412, 51389/59499/51347, at head of Set L121, 55021, and Set L411, 51388/59498/51346, at Wisbech with ‘The East Anglian Vibrator’ on 23 November 1985. Rob Paterson.
Date: 23rd November 1985
Set number: L411
Set L411, 51346/59498/51388, at rear of Set L412, 51389/59499/51347 and Set L121, 55021, at Hardingham, Norfolk, with ‘The East Anglian Vibrator’ railtour on 23 November 1985. Rob Paterson.
Date: 23rd November 1985
Set number: L411
Set L411, 51346/59498/51388 with Set L121, 55021, and Set L412, 51347/59499/51389 out of sight, at North Elmham, Norfolk, with ‘The East Anglian Vibrator’ on 23 November 1985. Rob Paterson.
Date: 23rd November 1985
Set number: L411
Hertfordshire Railtours 1G30 King`s Cross to Wisbech, Dereham and North Elmham `Anglian Vibrator` charter leaving the Wisbech branch at March Whitemoor Junction on 23 November 1985. Six Bells Junction lists the vehciles as W51346 + 59498 + 51388 / 55021 / 51347 + 59499 + 51389. Phil Bevan.
Date: 23rd November 1985
Set number: L411
In rapidly fading light the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Anglian Vibrator' railtour is seen during a photostop at what was once Dereham station on the Mid Norfolk line. This DMU tour on November 23, 1985, was a seven car formation comprising Western Region sets L411 (51346 + 59498 + 51388) + L121 (55021) + L412 (51347 + 59499 + 51389) and ran as train 1G30 07.35 London Kings Cross to London Kings Cross covering primarily the Wisbech and North Elmham freight branches. The 16 mile North Elmham branch from Wymondham taking 3hrs 10mins to cover out and back because of the multitude of manual crossings operated by the traincrew. Adrian Nicholls.
Date: 23rd January 1988
Set number: L127
On the 23rd January 1988 triple bubble formation W55027, 55020 and 55021 are seen at Oxford. Ian McDonald.
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: 1st May 1999
Four bubbles at Bletchley on the 1st May 1999. From left to right: 977723, 55031, 55027 & 55029. Note the number on Silverlink 55027 is missing the final two digits. Ian McDonald.
Date: 24th February 2001
Set number: 960002
There were several single unit DMUs around Aylesbury in 2001 and here at the stops of the stabling roads on 24 February 1991 is 960002, formerly 55020. It was in use for some time as a Sandite and route learning vehicle and was in the Departmental Pool. Behind is probably Class 117 51411, another 117 can just be seen on the extreme left, presumably 51369, behind is 977723 and 977858. Peter Tandy.
Date: 23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 in the company of 977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum, 23/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
Date: 23rd September 2004
Set number: 960010
977858 and 977723 at Birmingham Railway Museum, 23/9/04. Stuart Mackay.
Date: 23rd September 2004
Set number: 960301
Water-jet conversion 977992 at Birmingham Railway Museum beside 977723 on the 23rd September 2004. It was collected that day by 977858 and taken to Aylesbury. Stuart Mackay.