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Vehicle 55033 / 977826

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

Dec-60	New to	82B (Bristol Marsh Junction)
by Jun-62	Transferred to	83D (Laira)
30/07/62	Transferred to	82B (Bristol Marsh Junction)
10/09/62	Transferred to	83D (Laira)
Sep-63	Depot code change	84A
by mid-Oct-65	Transferred to	82A (Bristol Bath Road)
06/05/73	Depot code change	BR
03/10/82	Transferred to	CF (Cardiff Canton)
29/09/85	Transferred to	LA (Laira)
11/05/86	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
30/09/92	To departmental stock	TS (Tyseley)
4w/e 27/05/95	Withdrawn

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

55033 - original number
977826 - from Oct-92 (departmental stock)

Department Use as TDB977826

Sandite From 10/92 to 2/94. Carried set number T003

Modifications

circa Jul-70 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 25/06/77 - WR AWS removed
p/e 25/06/79 - Leyland engines fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 06/10/1980 released in blue/grey livery

55033 was involved in the following incidents:

Damaged 121 DMU at Bristol Bath Road depot

circa early 1980 - Unknown, WR

Other involving Class 121

Incident details unknown. W55033 was noted with damage to the drivers side of no.2 end. Repairs saw the cab roof dome replaced with a Class 116/122 style dome.

21/01/89 - Stourbridge Town, LMR

Collision involving Class 121

Info from Rail 09/03/89 p69

The 23:32 Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town worked by Midline-liveried 55033 failed to stop on arrival at the terminus, demolishing the buffer stop and bus station retaining wall. The vehicle only suffered minor damage, was was taken to Tyseley the next day by 47 296.

Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

B133	55033		Listed at BR - 01/05/1976
B133	55033		Listed at BR - 31st December 1977
B133	55033		Noted 04/02/1980 - At Bristol Temple Meads P1 Bay 1132¹
B133	55033		Listed at BR - 03/03/80
B133	55033		Listed at CF - 15/12/1982
C133	55033		Noted 05/09/1983²
C133	55033		Listed at CF - 01/01/85
133	55033		Transfer to LA - Sep-85 - from CF
P133	55033		Noted 02/11/1985 - working St Ives branch²
TS083	55033		Noted circa 06/1986²
TS083	55033		Listed at Tyseley - Summer 1986
083	55033		Noted circa 06/1987²
T083	55033		Listed at TS - Jul-87
083	55033		Noted 04/07/87 - at Norwich strengthening B471 + TS616 on a Birmingham NS - Norwich service³
083	55033		Noted 17/07/1987²
T133	55033		Noted circa 04/1988²
T133	55033		Listed at Tyseley - 7th April 1988
	55033		Noted 02/06/88 - on 15:32 Great Malvern - Birmingham New Street with 51129 / 59756 / 51149⁴
T133	55033		Noted 19/11/88 - on 10:55 Stourbridge Town - Stourbridge Junction and 21.32 Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town
T133	55033		Listed at TS - 01/09/89
T013	55033		Listed at TS - 01/12/89
T013	55033		Listed at TS - mid May-90
T013	55033		Noted circa 12/1990²
T013	55033		Listed at TS - Jul-91
T013	55033		Listed at TS - Aug-91
T013	55033		Listed at TS - Dec-91
T013	55033		Listed at TS - 02/07/92
T003	55033	977827	Noted 18/10/92 - on Tyseley depot
T003	977826	977827	Listed at TS - 08/11/93 - sandite

Formation Sources
1: Shayne Lewis
2: Eddie Knorn
3: Gerald Brown
4: Martin Baumann

Images:

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Bridport. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Bridport, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Bridport, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Bridport, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Maiden Newton, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Maiden Newton, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Maiden Newton, with a Swindon Cross-Country set in the platform behind. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

55033 at Maiden Newton. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.

April 1970

Class 121 W55033 Bath Spa August 1970. On a pouring wet summer's day I was dropped off at the station to "watch the trains". I'm not sure what this single car working would have been, possibly a midday Temple Meads out and back all stations stopper? Alistair Ness.

18th January 1975

Set number: B133

A class 117 unit (B462, presumably 51402 + 59512 + 51360) calls at Maiden Newton with a Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth service whilst a class 121 (55033 as set B133) waits with the Bridport branch train. 18/1/1975. Stephen Burdett.

18th January 1975

Set number: B133

Class 121 55033 waits to return to Maiden Newton on 18/1/1975 at Bridport. The branch which used to continue to West Bay was to close on 5/5/1975. Stephen Burdett.

May 1975

Set number: B133

55033 on the Bridport branch in May 1975. Steve Davies Collection.

3rd May 1975

Set number: B133

Class 121 "bubble car" W55033 on the rear of a Class 117 DMU at Powerstock on the last day of services on the Bridport branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.

3rd May 1975

Set number: B133

Class 121 "bubble car" W55033 leads a Class 117 DMU (W51387 visible) at Powerstock on the last day of services on the Bridport branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.

3rd May 1975

Set number: B133

W55033 and a Class 117 DMU at Bridport on the last day of services on the branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.

3rd May 1975

Set number: B133

W55033 and a Class 117 DMU (W51387 just visible) depart from Bridport on the last day of services on the branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.

November 1976

Set number: B133

Class 121 W55033 in Severn Beach station in November 1976. Tony Watson.

Unknown date

Set number: B133

Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car W55033 in Bristol Temple Meads, date unknown. K F Tomes Duckwailk.

25th October 1978

W55033 at Clifton Down station, 25th October 1978. Tiptree Jon.

13th January 1979

Set number: B133

Class 121 "bubble car" W55033 arrives at Bristol Temple Meads at the end of its journey from Severn Beach on 13 January 1979. Nicholas T Smith.

Class 121 DMU at Bristol St Phillips Marsh depot

24th June 1979

Set number: B133

Class 121 DMU B133 W55033 at Bristol St Phillips Marsh depot during a June 24th 1979 Midland Railfans visit. This is a scan of the original print, which unfortunately has some colour cast. Ian Charles.

10th October 1979

Set number: B133

Class 121 DMU W55033 in Bristol Temple Meads on Severn Beach duties on 10 October 1979. David Russon.

circa 1980

Set number: B133

Accident damaged Class 121 W55033 at Bristol Bath Road. Date unknown, but circa early 1980, the repair would see the vehicle receive a 116/122 style cab roof dome at this end, and it was back in traffic in blue/grey livery by October 1980. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Class 121 DMU at Bristol Bath Road depot

circa 1980

Set number: B133

Accident damage sustained by Class 121 W55033. Seen at Bristol Bath Road depot circa early 1980, details of the incident are unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.

13th April 1980

Set number: B133

W55033 with the 12:22 from Severn Beach at Bristol Temple Meads on 13 April 1980. Robert Thomas.

5th October 1980

W55033 and W51144 at Swindon Works during the open day on 5 October 1980. Both have been painted into Blue/Grey for the first time, they had entered works in refurbished white/blue stripe (the 116) and plain blue (the 121). Nicholas T Smith.

circa 1981

Set number: B133

55033 at Bristol circa 1981/2. John Grey Turner.

circa 1981

Set number: B133

Pressed Steel Class 121 "bubble car" 55033 at Bristol Temple Meads with a Severn Beach service Undated, but the Avon Link stickers beside the BR logos means it is probably circa 1981. K F Tomes Duckwailk.

19th January 1981

Set number: B133

55033 at Bristol Temple Meads on the 19th January 1981. Steve Davies Collection.

29th January 1981

Set number: B133

55033 seen near Sea Mills on the 29th January 1981. Steve Davies Collection.

16th January 1982

Set number: B133

W55033 in Severn Beach station with the 14:10 to Bristol Temple Meads on 16 January 1982. Robert Thomas.

16th January 1982

Set number: B133

Class 121 "bubble car" 55033 in Severn Beach station after arriving with the 13:12 from Bristol Temple Meads on 16 January 1982. Robert Thomas.

13th April 1982

Set number: B133

W55033 is passed on the way into Bristol Temple Meads on 13 April 1982. John Grey Turner.

10th September 1983

Set number: C133

Class 121 "bubble car" 55033 arrives at Gloucester with the 10:17 from Cardiff Central on 10 September 1983. Robert Thomas.

December 1983

Set number: C133

Single car DMU 55033 stands in Newport Station with a Cardiff-Chepstow service. December 1983. John Crooks.

Unknown date

Set number: C133

Bubble C133 W55033 at Cardiff Queen Street, circa 1984. W51128 on the left. Nicky Reason.

Unknown date

Set number: C133

55033 running into Cardiff Queen Street, circa 1984. Nicky Reason.

30th March 1984

Set number: C133

Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car W55033 in Cardiff Central station on 30-03-84. Vincent Haworth.

24th April 1984

Set number: C133

Class 121 set C133 (W55033) is seen stood off the north end of Bargoed station in the headshunt siding. When this shot was taken the upside platform for northbound train at Bargoed had been abandoned and all trains used the down line platform only. North of Bargoed had been singled through to Rhymney as an economy measure leaving just a short stub of the down line as a headshunt where the DMU is stood. The off peak service on the Rhymney Valley line saw trains run hourly from Barry Island to Bargoed only. The final leg of the journey from Bargoed to Rhymney was thus covered by a single car DMU on alternate hours which was deemed adequate for the daytime demand. As both trains couldn't share the same short platform the Rhymney service would have to stand off until the platform was vacated by the train back down the valley. My photo depicts set C133 waiting to drop into the platform to form 2C65 the 14.20 all stations Bargoed to Rhymney as soon as the 14.15 to Cardiff has departe Adrian Nicholls.

5th April 1985

Set number: C133

Class 121 single-unit W55033 at Rhiwbina on the 16.24 ex-Coryton on 5 April 1985. Lewis Bevan.

5th April 1985

Set number: C133

Class 121 Single unit 55033 at Birchgrove on the 15.55 Cardiff Central - Coryton on 5 April 1985. Lewis Bevan.

30th May 1985

Set number: C133

37 165 light engine and Class 121 DMU W55033 passing Severn Tunnel Junction on 30 May 1985. Keith Miller.

19th July 1985

Set number: C133

25265 and 25283 drift off the Bishton Flyover as Class 121 no W55033 passes on the main line on what is presumably a Cardiff - Chepstow working. Robert28194.

13th February 1986

Set number: P133

Class 121 W55033 on Laira depot on 13 February 1986. Behind is Class 118 set P464. Keith Miller.

17th May 1986

Class 121 55033 is seen at Tyseley not long after transfer from Cardiff on 17.05.1986. Andy Cole.

4th June 1986

Set number: TS083

On sunny mornings, I quite often used to leave home for work at around 08.00 and walk to my office, then in the town centre, via the railway line. I did this on 4 June 1986 because 55033 had recently been allocated to Tyseley after a spell in South Wales. It is seen here leaving the station as the 08.12 to Leamington Spa. Virtually everything in this photograph has changed. The Ministry of Food cold store has been replaced with a supermarket, the college of further education has been rebuilt and extended, and, of course, the semaphore signals have gone, being replaced with colour lights operated from Bearley Junction. Even the World War II air raid shelter, a concrete pipe buried in the ground, upon which I was standing, had disappeared. The class 116 unit in platform 2 will follow the bubble as far as Bearley, this being the 08.20 to Birmingham Moor Street. Peter Tandy.

29th June 1986

Set number: TS083

Class 121 bubble 55033 in Thame station with one of the Thame Phoenix shuttles on June 29 1986. These were organised by Hertfordshire Railtours, the station had closed to passengers in January 1963. Note the temporary station name added for the day! Julian Heard.

29th June 1986

Class 121 bubble 55033 in Thame station with one of the Thame Phoenix shuttles on June 29 1986. The vehicle had recently been transferred from Cardiff to Tyseley, and would soon be repainted into Midline colours. Julian Heard.

29th June 1986

Set number: TS083

55033 departs from Thame station with one of the Hertfordshire Railtours Thame Phoenix shuttles on June 29 1986. Julian Heard.

29th June 1986

Class 121 W55033 Thame 29 June 1986. Boy was it hot that day! HRT ran the Thame Phoenix hourly from High Wycombe to Thame and return using Bubble cars M55006 and W55033. Alistair Ness.

29th June 1986

Class 121 W55033 at Thame on 29 June 1986. Boy was it hot that day! HRT ran the Thame Phoenix hourly from High Wycombe to Thame and return using Bubble cars M55006 and W55033. Alistair Ness.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 at High Wycombe with Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix' 14.50 To Thame on 29 June 1986. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 on an ECS shunt move at High Wycombe on 29 June 1986. That day it was working the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix'. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 on an ECS shunt move at High Wycombe on 29 June 1986. That day it was working the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix'. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 at High Wycombe on 29 June 1986 with the 13.35 ex-Thame part of the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix'. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

On-board 55033 at Thame working the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix' on 29 June 1986. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 with Valley Train And West Midlands branding - taken at Thame on 29 June 1986 while working the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix'. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

The 12.50 Ex-High Wycombe part of the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix' arrives at Thame on 29 June 1986 formed of Class 121 DMBS 55033. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

55033 forms the 13.35 To High Wycombe part of the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix' at Thame on 29 June 1986. Dave Warby.

29th June 1986

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS M55033 heads towards Princes Risborough at Saunderton with the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Thame Phoenix' on 29 June 1986. Dave Warby.

3rd July 1986

Set number: TS083

On 3 July 1986 55033 + 55004 + 55032 were on a diagram that included the 18.30 from Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham Moor Street. I lived near to the line in those days and had seen the train arrive from my kitchen window so had grabbed a camera, had a quick chat with the signalman and made my way to this spot with the gasholders, still in use at the time, and the middle starter signal prominent in the picture. The leading unit, 55033, was the one selected to receive Midline livery a few months later. Peter Tandy.

summer 1986

Set number: TS068

Class 121 55003 stabled at Leamington Spa station. It carries a Tyseley set number in the window which seems to read TS068. Date unknown, presumably summer 1986 between transfer from Laira in May and painting into Midline livery in October. Glyn Weigh.

15th November 1986

Set number: 083

Class 121 55033, set number TS083, is seen at Tyseley on 15.11.1986 soon after its repaint into Midline livery. Andy Cole.

19th January 1987

Set number: TS083

Tyseley based Pressed Steel Class 121 single-car DMU 55033 (TS083) calls at Wilmcote with a lunchtime Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon service on 19 January 1987. Chris Morrison.

24th January 1987

Set number: 083

Class 121, single car DMU, 55033, in "Midline" livery, at Leamington Spa station. January 1987. Not 100% sure, but I believe the date to be 24th January 1987. Paul James.

14th March 1987

Set number: TS083

Class 121 55033, set number TS083, is seen stabled at Tyseley carriage sidings in it's unique Midline livery on 14.03.1987. Andy Cole.

May 1987

Set number: 083

55033 approaching Stourbridge Town from Stourbridge Junction in May 1987. It can be clearly seen that this was a double track at one time although latterly run as 2 separate routes for the goods yard and passenger station. Stephen Burdett.

May 1987

Set number: 083

In the 1980s it was decided to brand the local rail network Midline. It was short lived but class 121 bubble car 55033 was given an unique livery and is seen here leaving Stourbridge Town for Stourbridge Junction in May 1987. It in fact was working the branch on the last day of these units on it in 1992. Stephen Burdett.

13th May 1987

Set number: 083

Pressed Steel Suburban Single Car Class 121 DMU 55033 in Midline livery heads a Dorridge train while Gloucester Class 122 Single Car 55005 arrives with a Leamington train on the adjacent platform at Birmingham Moor Street on 13 May 1987. At the time single cars were being added to 3-car sets to raise the power to weight ratio. Moor St terminus closed in September 1987 when the adjacent through platforms to Birmingham Snow Hill were opened. It lay derelict until 2003 when Chiltern Railways reopened two of the original three platforms and renovated the original booking hall to supplement capacity when the Bull Ring development opened. The building under construction is the Pavillions Shopping Centre which was recently rebuilt as the largest Primark store in Europe. Chris Morrison.

7th June 1987

Set number: 083

Class 121 55033 is seen stabled outside the Factory at Tyseley on 07.06.1987. Andy Cole.

24th July 1987

Set number: 083

Midline-liveried Pressed Steel-built Class 121 number 55033, seen in the bowels of Birmingham New Street, about to take weary commuters home to Blake Street. Taken on July 24, 1987. Mike Dean.

4th October 1987

Set number: 083

55033 inside Tyseley during an open day on 4/10/87. Malcolm Clements.

4th October 1987

Set number: 083

55033 inside Tyseley depot during the open day on October 4th, 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

May 1988

Set number: T133

I was mildly surprised to see the "Midline Bubble" on the main line from Derby to Birmingham in May 1988 when it was photographed approaching Water Orton. Mechanical DMUs were not common on this line at the time with Sprinters having taken over most services. The destination board said that the unit was "Not in Service" but wasn't able to find out where it had been but assumed that it was going to Tyseley LMD. The relatively new M42 and part of the long-gone Hams Hall Power station can be seen in the background of this picture. Peter Tandy.

22nd August 1988

With an exhaust trail to put many a steam locomotive to shame, a suburban unit with Pressed Steel Co. 'Bubble Car' 55033 on the rear, working a Stourbridge service is seen departing from Birmingham New Street on 22nd August 1988. Gordon Edgar.

1989

55033 is seen at Blythe Bridge on a Crewe - Derby working in 1989. The blue vehicle is probably 975540, unseen is 55034. Simon Barnes.

1989

A triple bubble formation seen at Blythe Bridge on a Crewe - Derby working in 1989. Identifiable cars are 55033 (Midline) and T014 / 55034 (blue grey). Simon Barnes.

17th January 1989

Set number: T133

A three-car suburban set (with two DMBSs) and Class 121 55033 (T133) heads away from Worcester Shrub Hill on 17 January 1989. Taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.

17th January 1989

Set number: T133

Class 121 55033 (set T133) leads a suburban set out of Worcester Shrub Hill shed on 17 January 1989. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.

4th February 1989

Set number: T133

Class 121 55033, set number T133, is seen at Tyseley in Midline livery up on jacks while its bogies are repaired. Andy Cole.

10th April 1989

Set number: T133

Midline liveried Class 121 55033 in Tyseley depot on 10 April 1989. The vehicle has sustained some damage to the cab corner and had a replacement cab door fitted. David Mant.

30th April 1989

Set number: T133

Class 121 55033, set number T133, is seen stabled at Saltley on 30.04.1989. DMU's were rarely seen on Saltley. Andy Cole.

2nd May 1989

Set number: T133

The towpath of the Stratford-upon-Avon was a good spot to photograph a short train on a sunny evening such as that of 2 May 1989 when the Midline bubble 55033 (T133) was coupled to a class 114 to work the 18.13 to Leamington Spa. This view has now gone in common with many others throughout the country thanks to completely uncontrolled growth of lineside vegeation. The semaphore signals (one complete with a pigeon on the arm!) and the Victorian hospital were still extant at the time but were not to last much longer. Peter Tandy.

31st May 1989

Set number: T133

This is one of my favourite shots of 55033 after it was repainted into Midline livery. It was taken on 31 May 1989 while working the two-hourly shuttles between Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon and is seen with driver Wilson in charge passing Stratford East signal box where the line crosses the Stratford Canal. Peter Tandy.

15th July 1989

Set number: T133

One of Tyseley depot's odder combinations photographed at Northfield in Birmingham on 15 July 1989. Four-car sets were often used on the Cross City services between Four Oaks and Redditch and it seems that the depot was really struggling to find enough sets to go around as this formation was made up of class 121 single unit 55033 (in Midline livery), a 2 car class 108 and and class 121 single car 55032. In retrospect I should have stayed on for the return but moved to the other side of Birmingham to photograph some freight on the Leamington Spa line. Peter Tandy.

Class 121 DMU at Worcester Tunnel Junction

17th May 1990

Set number: T013

Class 121 single car DMU, 55033, set number T013, in "Midline" livery, approaches Worcester Tunnel Junction signal box. 17th May 1990. Paul James.

25th June 1990

Set number: T013

55033 at Lichfield TV on the 25th June 1990, on the 18:02 to Longbridge. Gazza Prescott.

26th June 1990

Set number: T013

55033 at Stourbridge Jct, 26/6/90. Gazza Prescott.

July 1990

Set number: T013

Carrying the unique Midline livery class 121 bubble 55033 rests between duties at Worcester Shrub Hill. July 1990. Stephen Burdett.

5th September 1990

Set number: T013

55033 at Stourbridge Town on September 5, 1990. John Carter.

5th September 1990

Set number: T013

The unique 'Midline' liveried bubble car 55033 arriving at Stourbridge Junction from Stourbridge Town on September 5th, 1990. John Carter.

6th September 1990

Set number: T013

55033 at Barnt Green on September 6, 1990. John Carter.

28th September 1990

55033 leaving Worcester on the 13.01 Foregate Street - Bromsgrove on 28 September 1990. Lewis Bevan.

28th September 1990

Class 121 single unit 55033 at Worcester Tunnel Junction on 28 September 1990. I think 55033 was on an ecs move to Foregate Street to enable it to take up its next duty, the 13.01 Foregate Street-Bromsgrove. Lewis Bevan.

28th September 1990

Set number: T013

Class 121 single unit 55033 at Worcester Shrub Hill on 28 September 1990. From memory I think that this was an ecs move to Foregate Street. Lewis Bevan.

1991

Set number: T013

55033 arriving at Stourbridge Junction in 1991. John Law.

circa 1991

Set number: T013

Midline-liveried Class 121 bubble car 55033 at Skegness circa 1991. Peter LEYTR.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 on Lickey incline, 15th April 1991. Mike Cooper.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 on Lickey incline, 15th April 1991. Mike Cooper.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 on Lickey incline, 15th April 1991. Mike Cooper.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 seen approaching at Blackwell, 15/4/91. Mike Cooper.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 running past at Blackwell, 15/4/91. Mike Cooper.

15th April 1991

Set number: T013

55033 seen at Bromsgrove on the 15th April 1991. Mike Cooper.

5th May 1991

Set number: T013

55033 working a Hereford to Bulmers Railway Centre shuttle in conjunction with the Hereford Rail Festival on 5 May 1991. Robert Lewis.

28th August 1991

Set number: T013

During the mid 1980s it was intended to brand local services within the West Midlands ‘Midline’. It never happened as Central Trains evolved. Class 121 55033 carried the unique livery and is seen here at Barnt Green with the 09.42 to Worcester Foregate Street service on 28/8/1991. Stephen Burdett.

12th February 1992

Set number: T013

Class 121 single car 55033 was the unit selected to be painted into a colourful livery marking the Midline brand. The colour scheme isn't really apparent in this picture of T013 in Stratford-upon-Avon on the murky day of 12 February 1992 especially as the light was so poor there was no point in wasting any slide film on a shot. The unit was working the two-hourly shuttles between Stratford and Leamington and was shortly to leave with 12.13 to the latter. Peter Tandy.

12th February 1992

Set number: T013

Class 121 55033 ready to depart from Stratford-upon-Avon with the 12:13 to Leamington Spa on 12 February 1992. Peter Tandy.

21st March 1992

Set number: T013

Class 121 "bubble car" 55033 attached to a three-car suburban DMU set at Cardiff Central on 21 March 1992. The train is thought to be the 08:25 SO from Nottingham. Robert Thomas.

4th June 1992

Class 121 55033 in Nuneaton station on 4 June 1992. It's attached to another set with 51339 visible. Keith Miller.

22nd November 1992

Set number: T003

Class 121 977826, set number T003, is seen at Tyseley on 22.11.1992 after it had been converted to Sandite use. W59445 is on the right. Andy Cole.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 3rd May 1975

A busy scene at Maiden Newton on 3 May 1975. A Class 120 and 119 (B572) are in the closest platform while many participants of the Southern Electric Group 'Dorset Dawdler' tour wait to board W55033 and Class 117 set B407 (51387 + 59497 + 51345) for a trip on the Bridport branch. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 3rd May 1975

Set number: B407

Last day on the Bridport Branch, 3rd May 1975. W51345 leads set B407 (with 59497 + 51387), with branch regular W55033 on the rear, into Toller station with a Maiden Newton-Bridport service. Nicholas T Smith.

Date: 3rd May 1975

Set number: B407

W51345 trails on Class 117 DMU set B407 (with 59497 + 51387), W55033 leads at the far end, departing Powerstock station with a Bridport-Maiden Newton service. The service was normally operated by a single car but strengthened as this was the last day of passenger trains on the Bridport Branch - 3rd May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.

Date: 3rd May 1975

Set number: B407

The Southern Electric Group 'Dorset Dawdler' railtour included an almost three hour break at Maiden Newton which allowed participants the opportunity to travel on the Bridport branch on the last day of operation - 3rd May 1975. The railtour headboard was carried on the branch service train, formed of B407 (51345 + 59497 + 51387) and B133 (55033), seen arriving into Powerstock station. Nicholas T Smith.

Date: 3rd May 1975

Set number: B407

Last day on the Bridport Branch, 3rd May 1975. B407 (W51345 + W59497 + W51387) with B133 (W55033) attract lots of attention at Bridport before departing for Maiden Newton. Nicholas T Smith.

Date: 3rd May 1975

Set number: B407

The Dorset Dawdler railtour at Bridport on 3rd May 1975, formed of Class 117 DMU set B407 (presumably W51345 + W59497 + W51387) with B133 (W55033). Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 28th June 1986

Class 121 no 55033 and class 122 no 55006 (nearer the camera) are seen at High Wycombe on 28 June 1986, where they would go on to form the Thame Phoenix shuttles to Thame operated by Hertfordshire Railtours. Robert28194.

Date: 28th June 1986

The 11.38 Marylebone – Banbury arrives at High Wycombe while on the left, class 121 bubble car M55033, having arrived from Thame with one of the day’s Thame Phoenix shuttles, waits to cross to the down side to form the 12.50 departure to Thame. 55033 had its original cab replaced at one end by an example from a class 116 following accident damage, which is why in this view, it resembles a class 122. However the giveaway is the exhaust pipes which were retained: they flare at the top where the headcode box would have been. Robert28194.

Date: 29th June 1986

Class 122 M55006 High Wycombe 29 June 1986. Boy was it hot that day! HRT ran the Thame Phoenix hourly from High Wycombe to Thame and return using Bubble cars M55006 and W55033. Alistair Ness.

Date: 4th October 1987

Set number: T003

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

Date: 4th October 1987

M55006 at the Tyseley Open Day, 4/10/87, with Midline liveried 55033 also on view. Malcolm Clements.

Date: 1989

Set number: T014

55034 as at the head of a triple bubble formation, the cab of 55033 is adjacent. At Blythe Bridge on a Crewe - Derby working in 1989. Simon Barnes.

Date: 1989

A triple bubble formation, seen at Blythe Bridge on a Crewe - Derby working in 1989. Identifiable cars are 55033 (Midline) and T014 / 55034 (blue grey), the rail blue vehicle is probably 975540. Simon Barnes.

Date: 1989

A triple bubble formation, seen at Blythe Bridge on a Crewe - Derby working. Identifiable cars are 55033 (midline) and T014 / 55034 (blue grey). 1989. Simon Barnes.

Date: 15th March 1989

Set number: T132

Class 121 Pressed Steel single car DMU 55032, set T132, sitting in Stourbridge Town station on 15-3-89. The accident damage evident to the wall by bus station was thanks to an incident with 55033 on 21-01-89. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.

Date: 5th September 1990

Set number: T313

Right to left: 51339, 156 440 and 55033 at Stourbidge Junction on September 5, 1990. John Carter.

Date: circa June 1992

Set number: 117305

Water Orton, around June 1992. Tyseley allocated chocolate & cream liveried Class 117 DMU 117305 (vehicles 51410 + 59520 + 51368) looking recently repainted coming off the line from Derby/Tamworth. It looks to be coupled to the Midline liveried Class 121 unit 55033. The now long gone Hams Hall C power station is still extant in the background, but would be demolished at the end of 1993 Bob Belcher.

Date: 18th October 1992

Set number: T003

Class 116 977827, sandite set T003 with 55033, is seen stabled at Tyseley on 18.10.1992. Andy Cole.

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