Vehicle 55028 / 977860
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 | 81C (Southall) | |
| Apr-68 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May-69 | Transferred to | 84A (Laira) | |
| Jun-69 | Transferred to | 82A (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| 2w/e 22/08/70 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May 1973 | Depot code change | RG | |
| Jun-87 | Transferred to | OO (Old Oak Common) | |
| 02/09/93 | To departmental stock | RG (Reading) | |
| Apr-09 | Withdrawn | - route-learner, ADB, 960012 |
Notes
11/05/05 - Named "John Cameron" at Salisbury. See https://departmentals.com/photo/977860detaila.
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55028 - original number
977860 - from 02/09/93 (departmental stock)
Department Use as ADB977860
Sandite / Route Learner From 9/93 to 4/09. Carried set number 960012
Modifications
p/e 12/08/72 - Dual AWS fitted
Sep-74 - Leyland engines fitted
Jul-75 - WR AWS removed
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated circa 1980 released in blue/grey liveryDisposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 55020 | 59543 | 55028 | Noted 29/10/711 | ||||||
| L406 | 55028 | 59480 | 51415 | Noted 30/04/75 - at Royal Oak, set number L128 on 550282 | |||||
| 55028 | Noted 31/01/76 - on 2A28 1348 Paddington-Reading with L461 + L469 | ||||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Noted 12/11/1977 - Oxford Station3 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station3 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Noted 28/08/1979 - At West Drayton3 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||||
| 55028 | 56285 | Noted circa 04/19824 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Noted 22/06/1985 - BLS Cotswold Lion Railtour L420+55028 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Noted 03/04/19864 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| 55028 | 54283 | Noted 25/02/1987 - at Old Oak Common5 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - Aug-87 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - 15/05/89 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - 21/01/91 | |||||||
| L423 | 51361 | 59513 | 55028 | Noted 01/04/91 - at Royal Oak, 55028 set number L1282 | |||||
| 55028 | 59514 | 55030 | Noted 14/04/92 - on 07:39 Slough - Paddington6 | ||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||||
| L407 | 51342 | 59678 | 55028 | Noted 07/08/92 - on 12:52 Paddington - Slough | |||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - 12/08/92 | |||||||
| L128 | 55028 | Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||||
| 55028 | Noted 09/11/92 - on 15:26 Greenford - Ealing Broadway6 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Shayne Lewis
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Robert Chilton
6: David Bellamy
Images:
2nd July 1969
Pressed Steel single car W55028 is seen at Bridport with the 16:14 (SX) service to Maiden Newton on 2 July 1969. Robert Thomas.
circa August 1970
A Class 121 - thought to be W55028 - seen at Bristol Temple Meads. The slide process date was August 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
13th January 1973
Saturday 13 January 1973 and a Pressed Steel unit (W55028 with trailer) moves off from Slough with the Windsor branch local. Mr Deltic.
April 1974
Set number: L128
Pressed Steel bubble car W55028 at Oxford in April 1974. Mel Smith.
April 1974
Set number: L128
Pressed Steel bubble car W55028 in Oxford station in April 1972. Mel Smith.
26th July 1980
Set number: L128
Sitting in a bay at Southall is 55028 on the 26th July 1980. Ian Buck.
1981
The number one end of Pressed Steel Class 121 W55028 seen at Oxford in 1981. It's coupled to DTS W56287. Kevin Farrow.
1981
The number two end of Pressed Steel Class 121 W55028 seen at Oxford in 1981. Kevin Farrow.
1981
Set number: L128
Pressed Steel Class 121 W55028 seen at Oxford in 1981. Kevin Farrow.
15th August 1981
Set number: L128
55028 at Bourne End on the 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.
Unknown date
Set number: L128
W55028 and trailer leaving Paddington, date unknown. Stuart Pearce.
Unknown date
Set number: L128
Class 121 55028 with a trailer in Windsor and Eton Central station. Date unknown, probably early 1980s before a black data panel was added to this cab in spring 1985. Stuart Mackay Collection.
29th June 1983
Set number: L128
Class 121 single unit 55028 departs from the bay platform at Banbury, and passes Banbury South signal box, working the 18.36 to Oxford on 29 June 1983. Lewis Bevan.
24th February 1984
Set number: L128
W55028 at Oxford on the 11:45 Banbury - Didcot, 24th February 1984. Hamish Stevenson.
5th October 1985
Set number: L128
Class 121 "bubble car" DMU 55028 about to depart from Greenford to Ealing Broadway on 5th October 1985. Jonathan Hazan.
12th April 1986
Set number: L128
55028 at Reading on a Reading - Paddington service, 12th April 1986. Paul Moxon.
26th May 1986
Set number: L128
BR Class 121 DMU Set L128 (55028) departs Oxford leaving a cloud of exhaust smoke in its wake - Monday 26th May 1986. David Malt.
28th May 1986
Set number: L128
Class 121 55028 in the bay platform at Oxford on 28 May 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121 Bubble Cars 55023 and 55028 have arrived at Henley-on-Thames from Twyford and ready to return there late one afternoon in October 1987. Murray Liston.
24th October 1987
A pair of class 121 Bubble Car single units 55023 and 55028 seen at Twyford on 24 October 1987 on a service to Henley-on-Thames. Both had been reallocated from Reading to Old Oak Common a few months earlier. Murray Liston.
24th October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121s Twyford 24 October 1987. These two are W55023 and W55028. Alistair Ness.
24th October 1987
Set number: L128
Class 121 cabs at Twyford in October 1987 These two are W55028 (left) and W55023 (right). Alistair Ness.
15th April 1988
Set number: L128
Two bubbles at Oxford on 15/4/88, the closest being 55028. Sparegang.
16th August 1989
Set number: L128
55028 at Greenford, 16/8/89. Gazza Prescott.
24th August 1989
Set number: L128
55022 at Paddington with a Greenford service on 24/8/89. Sparegang.
19th April 1990
Under a threatening sky - it subsequently poured with rain - 55028 heads out of Paddington on 19/4/90 on the 17.05 to Greenford. Leonard Rogers.
17th December 1990
Set number: L128
Class 121 DMBS 55028 with Class 101 54385 and 51443 arriving at Iver station with an unidentified up working on 17 December 1990. Dave Warby.
13th April 1991
Set number: L128
55028 and 55031 awaits departure from Paddington on the 06:05 to Greenford, 13th April 1991. Gazza Prescott.
March 1992
Set number: L128
55028 enters Banbury at the head of an Oxford bound train in March 1992. Ian Buck.
7th August 1992
55028 working with 59678 + 51342 as part of L407 on the 12:52 Paddington - Slough, seen at Ealing Broadway on the 7th August 1992. Gazza Prescott.
2nd October 1992
Set number: 128
55028 working with 101 set L200 (54081 + 51215) on the 12:52 Paddington - Slough, seen arriving at West Drayton, 2/10/92. Gazza Prescott.
16th November 1998
Set number: 960012
977860 - set number 960 012 - is seen at Moreton on 16 November 1998. Brian Daniels.
17th October 1999
Set number: 960012
Class 121 977860 (ex-55028), set number 960012, is seen at Gerards Cross on sandite duty on 17.10.1999. Andy Cole.
17th October 1999
Set number: 960012
Class 121 977860, set number 960 012, is seen at Gerards Cross on route learning duty, 17.10.1999. Andy Cole.
6th August 2000
Set number: 960012
Class 121 977860, set number 960 012, is seen stabled at Aylesbury on 06.08.2000. It was converted from 55028 to a sandite car. Andy Cole.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
977860 No.1 end (opposite end from the van) cab, taken at Butterley in September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The van area of 977860, reduced in size for its sandite / route-learning use. Taken in September 2001 at Butterley. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The generator inside 977860, taken at Butterley in September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The drivers sandite controls, No.1 cab of 977860. Taken at Butterley in September 2001. Note there were two different type of sandite that that could be applied: standard sandite and s4 sandite. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
Departmental DMUs. 977860 in the yard at Butterley in September 2001 beside 975010 before entering the carriage shed for repairs and a repaint. Work has already begun, a window has been removed mid-way along the bodyside beside the steps. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The revised seating in 977860 for route learning. The partition is new too, behind is the sandite tanks. Taken at Butterley in September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The cab bulkhead in 977860, adapted for better visibility for route learning. Note the all-important kettle and toastie maker, possibly due to the generator on the vehicle. Taken at Butterley in September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
The Sandite hoppers inside 977860. It's Sandite days had ended, they would soon be removed. Taken at Butterley in September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
977860 in the yard at Butterley awaiting entrance to the carriage shed for repairs, September 2001. Stuart Mackay.
September 2001
Set number: 960012
Pressed Steel bubble 977860 visited the Midland Railway Centre in late 2001 for bodywork repairs and a repaint for Balfour Beatty Rail. It is seen here after arrival about to be shunted into the yard at Butterley in early September. Stuart Mackay.
16th September 2001
977960 outside the C&W shed at Midland Railway Butterley on 16/9/01. Steve Hodgson. Steve Hodgson.
20th December 2001
977860 having emerging from the C&W shed at Midland Railway Butterley in the fading light after its conversion for Balfour Beatty Rail, 20/12/01. Stuart Mackay.
13th May 2005
Set number: 960012
The South West Train route learning vehicle 977860 (ex 55028) seen at Alresford on the Mid-Hants with 55003 on 13/5/05. Ian McDonald.
5th April 2006
Set number: 960012
977860 at Salisbury on the 5th April 2006. Steve White.
5th April 2006
Set number: 960012
977860 at Salisbury on the 5th April 2006. Steve White.
5th April 2006
Set number: 960012
977860 at Salisbury on the 5th April 2006. Steve White.
5th April 2006
Set number: 960012
977860 at Salisbury on the 5th April 2006. Steve White.
13th April 2006
Set number: 960012
South West Trains route learning DMU 960012 / 977860 at Woking on 13 April 2006. Tony Watson.
16th October 2006
Set number: 960012
977860 stabled at Salisbury on the 16th October 2006. Philip Wagstaff.
20th January 2007
Set number: 960012
SWT route-learner 977860, ex-55028, at Salisbury on 20 January 2007. David Mant.
20th January 2007
Set number: 960012
The John Cameron nameplate on SWT route learner 977860 at Salisbury on 20 January 2007. David Mant.
20th January 2007
Set number: 960012
Front end detail on SWT route-learner 977860 at Salisbury on 20 January 2007. David Mant.
20th January 2007
Set number: 960012
SWT route-learner 977860, ex-55028, at Salisbury on 20 January 2007. David Mant.
7th February 2007
In South West Trains livery 977860, originally 55028, is seen stabled at Salisbury on 7 February 2007. Robert Thomas.
24th April 2008
Set number: 960012
977860 at Yeovil Pen Mill on April 24, 2008. Nigel Walls.
24th April 2008
Set number: 960012
977860 Yeovil Pen Mill on April 24, 2008. Nigel Walls.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 26th July 1980
Set number: L129
55029 and 55028 are seen at Southall on the 26th July 1980. Ian Buck.
Date: 1981
Set number: L287
Pressed Steel Class 121 vehicles W56287 and W55028 seen at Oxford in 1981. Kevin Farrow.
Date: 22nd June 1985
Set number: L420
The BLS "The Cotswold Lion" railtour at Long Marston, formed 51358, 59510 51400 and bubble 55028. 22/6/85. Chris Lings.
Date: 9th June 1990
Set number: L594
Class 119 DMU set L594 is formed of 51104 + 59435 with Class 121 55028 standing in for the regular DMBC when seen at Royal Oak on 9 June 1990. Sparegang.
Date: 13th April 1991
Set number: L131
55031 and 55028 wait to depart Paddington on the 06:36 to Greenford, sitting beside Class 117 set L421 on 13/4/91. Note the unofficial name 'Rachel'. Gazza Prescott.
Date: 13th April 1991
Set number: L131
55031 and 55028 at West Ealing with the 06:36 Paddington to Greenford, 13/4/91. Gazza Prescott.
Date: 30th January 1992
51221 unusually paired with 55028 arriving at Banbury. Phil Bidwell.
Date: 30th January 1992
51221 with 55028 arriving at Banbury. Phil Bidwell.
Date: 2nd February 1999
Set number: 121027
55027 with 55031 at Bletchley on the 11:50 to Bedford, 2/2/99. After displacement by 150 units 55027 became departmental 977860. Sparegang.
Date: 28th October 1999
Set number: L128
966012, ex 55028, sits at Aylesbury Depot on the 28th October 1999. Ian Buck.