Vehicle 55022 / 977873
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) | |
| 31/05/70 | Transferred to | 86A (Cardiff Canton) | |
| Jan-72 | 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) |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
55022 - original number
977873 - from 02/09/93 (departmental stock)
Department Use as DB977873
Sandite / Route Learner From 9/93 to 2014. Carried set number 960014
Modifications
3w/e 30/06/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 26/11/77 - Leyland engines fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 20/05/1980 released in blue/grey liverySome sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 55022 | Noted 26/03/1965 - working Staines West branch | ||||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Noted circa 04/19821 | |||||||
| 55022 | 56284 | Noted circa 11/19821 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | 54283 | Noted 01/06/1985 - on Reading Depot open day shuttle from station (54283 carrying set L283) | ||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at Old Oak Common2 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Noted 11/04/1987 - at Stratford Depot2 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at OO - Aug-87 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Noted circa 02/19891 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at OO - 15/05/89 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at OO - 21/01/91 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||||
| L429 | 55022 | 54495 | 51409 | Noted circa 08/19921 | |||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at - 12/08/92 | |||||||
| L122 | 55022 | Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||||
| 51366 | 55022 | 51408 | Noted 09/11/92 - on 13:42 Reading - Paddington3 |
Formation Sources
1: Eddie Knorn
2: Robert Chilton
3: David Bellamy
Images:
Unknown date
55022 at Twyford, date unknown. It will be on the Henley-on-Thames service. Steve Davies Collection.
1973
A Class 121 DMU (which seems to be W55022) in South Greenford Halt sometime in 1973. Stuart Mackay Collection.
10th August 1973
W55022 at West Ealing on 10th August 1973. Philip W Marshall.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 on the Henley Branch in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 arriving at Henley-on-Thames in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 seen on the Henley Branch in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 on the Henley Branch in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 at Henley-on-Thames in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 sitting in Henley-on-Thames station in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 departs from Henley-on-Thames in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 departs from Henley-on-Thames in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 at Shiplake in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 heads out of Shiplake in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
March 1976
Set number: L122
55022 seen at Shiplake in March 1976. Steve Davies Collection.
May 1976
Set number: L122
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar L122 (No.W55022) and Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends approaching West Ealing on a service from Greenford, 05/76. Hugh Llewelyn.
May 1976
Set number: L122
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar L122 (No.W55022) & Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends approaching West Ealing on a service from Greenford, 05/76. Hugh Llewelyn.
28th April 1979
Set number: L122
Class 121 W55022 & W56286 Slough 28 April 1979. This pair was working the Windsor and Eton Central branch. Alistair Ness.
13th August 1979
Set number: L122
Coupled to a driving trailer 55022 is seen at Windsor & Eton Central on the 13th August 1979. Ian Buck.
11th December 1979
Set number: L122
Working the Marlow Donkey 55022 arrives at Bourne End on the 11th December 1979. Ian Buck.
11th December 1979
Set number: L122
55022 on the Marlow Donkey waits to return to Maidenhead from Marlow on the 11th December 1979. Ian Buck.
28th December 1980
Set number: L123
In the last of the evening light 55022 takes the Greenford branch at West Ealing on the 28th December 1980. Ian Buck.
7th August 1982
Set number: L122
55022 at West Ealing on the 7th August 1982. Steve Davies Collection.
August 1984
Set number: L122
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar No.L122 (W55022) and Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L232 (W54283) in Rail Blue & Grey with all-yellow front ends departing Paddington on a service to Henley, coupled to a Pressed Steel Class 117 3-car dmu (cab just visible), 08/84. Hugh Llewelyn.
March 1986
Set number: L122
Class 121 W55022 Southall March 1986. I was living in Heston a couple of miles away at this time and took this photo one Saturday afternoon. Alistair Ness.
March 1986
Set number: L122
Class 121 W55022 + another and Class 128 W55992 at Southall March 1986. I was living in Heston a couple of miles away at this time and took this photo one Saturday afternoon. Alistair Ness.
11th May 1986
Set number: L122
Southall shed on 11 May 1986 has 55022 + 54287, 55030 and L422 on road 6. Chris McKee.
30th January 1987
Set number: L122
Taken at Reading on 30 January 1987 was this picture of 55022 leading driving vehicle 54280 towards Reading station. The destination blind said Marlow which gave to where the unit had been working but on this occasion it went straight though Reading towards Didcot. Peter Tandy.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 arriving at Ealing Broadway on the 21st February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 heading out of Ealing Broadway on the 21st February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 at Greenford, 21/2/87. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 in the bay platform at Greenford, 21/2/87. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 at Greenford, 21/2/87. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 has the signal to leave Greenford, taken on the 21st February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 heads away from Greenford, 21/2/87. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 at Ealing Broadway, 21/2/87. Malcolm Clements.
21st February 1987
Set number: L122
W55022 heads out of Ealing Broadway on the 21st February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
May 1987
Set number: L122
Class 121 bubble car 55022 at Slough in May 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
January 1988
Set number: L122
55022 is at the rear of a 2-car 101 3x 121 formation leaving Paddington in January 1988. Mike Cooper.
26th January 1988
Set number: 122
55022 besides another number 22 at Paddington, 26/1/88. Malcolm Clements.
29th January 1988
Set number: 122
From left to right - 54070 (L201), 55022 (carrying set number 122), 55027 and 55020 at Reading on the 29th January 1988. The bubbles are each carrying a different livery. Ian McDonald.
16th May 1988
Set number: 122
Class 121 55022 in Paddington with a Greenford service on 16 May 1988. Stuart Mackay Collection.
9th November 1988
Set number: 122
55022 arrives at South Greenford on the 9th November 1988. Ian Buck.
20th November 1988
Set number: 122
In the bay platform at greenford 55022 waits to return to Ealing Broadway on the 20th November 1988. Ian Buck.
30th November 1989
Set number: L122
On 30 November 1989 55022 is seen heading from Greenford to Paddington taken with a 135mm lens as it rounded the curve towards West Ealing station. This unit survived at least until 2014 as DB977873 used for Sandite operations. I'll wager that the Mk3 Ford Cortina alongside the boarded staff crossing in the background didn't last as long! Peter Tandy.
1st March 1990
Set number: L122
L122 (55022) seen on the Acton main line in pre-electrification days. It is working the Paddington - Greeford shuttle on the 1st March 1990. 54A South Dock.
April 1990
Set number: L122
Network Southeast liveried Pressed Steel Class 121 single car 55022 (L122) arrives at Castle Bar Park with a Greenford -London Paddington service in April 1990. Chris Morrison.
4th August 1990
Set number: L122
Class 121 55022, set number L122, is seen approaching Paddington on 04.08.1990. Andy Cole.
13th April 1991
Set number: L122
Class 121 'bubble car' 55022 working the Greenford shuttle sits next to 47 849 in Paddington station on 13 April 1991. Dave Warby.
7th August 1992
Set number: L122
55022 coupled to set L413 (on which one engine had failed) at Ealing Broadway, on the 15:52 Paddington - Slough 7/8/92. Gazza Prescott.
7th March 1993
Set number: L122
A Network South-East 3 coach DMU formed of single unit 55022 (L122) standing in for a DMBS in a suburban set (a Class 117?) made a pleasant change from the by then more usual class 165 Thames Turbo set as it worked the 15.30 Reading to Banbury service on 7 March 1993. The location is one of the best known in the area; a few hundred yards north of Kings Sutton station with the distinctive spire of the church of St Peter and St Paul prominent in the background. Peter Tandy.
30th March 1993
Set number: L122
Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car 55022 forms part of a suburban set when seen at Reading on March 30, 1990. John Carter.
26th March 1994
Set number: L122
977873 (ex-55022) at Reading depot on 26-3-94. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa mid-1990s
Set number: 960014
977873 at Reading circa mid-1990s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
July 1996
977873 stabled with another Class 121 on Reading depot in July 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.
29th October 1999
Working the shuttle to Aylesbury 55022 awaits departure from Princes Risborough on the 29th October 1999. Ian Buck.
circa early 2002
Class 121 977873 at Old Oak Carriage Sidings. Date unknown -the slide had a process date of May 2002, so circa early 2002. Stuart Mackay Collection.
25th August 2003
Set number: 960014
977873 at Aylesbury, 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
25th August 2003
Set number: 960014
977873 stabled at Aylesbury, 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
31st October 2003
Set number: 960014
The former 55022, 977873 is stabled at Aylesbury on 31 October 2003. S Gaskell.
31st August 2004
Set number: 960014
9778730 in the Sidings adjacent to Aylesbury station on 31st August 2004. Within three months it would be back in route learning service in blue and grey livery. AndrewHA.
6th November 2004
Set number: 960014
At Aylesbury on the 6th November 2004 was Pressed Steel bubble 977873, the former 55022, freshly painted into Blue / Grey. It carries the text "Chiltern Railways - Serving Stratford from December 12th" on the side. Roger Marks.
11th November 2004
Set number: 960014
Prior to the introduction of Chiltern Railways' services to Stratford-upon-Avon there were some route familiarisation runs for crews. On 11 November 2004 single car DMMU set 960014 (977873, ex-55022) was in use and this image shows it shortly after arrival at Stratford. Peter Tandy.
11th November 2004
Set number: 960014
During Chiltern Railways' route familiarisation runs for crews prior to the introduction of services to Stratford-upon-Avon 977873 carried some advertising on the unit's sides although it is open to debate how much notice prospective passengers may have taken of it. Taken at Stratford-upon-Avon on 11 November 2004. Peter Tandy.
11th November 2004
Set number: 960014
During the layover of 960014 at Stratford-upon-Avon on 11 November 2004 I took the opportunity to drive to Wilmcote station for another shot as it went north to Hatton on its route learning run. Here it is passing under the GWR footbridge, albeit in an odd shade of muddy pink. Peter Tandy.
11th November 2004
Set number: 960014
It doesn't take long for a train to travel from Wilmcote to Hatton, reverse, and then return. Despite the gloomy weather I must have thought int worthwhile on 11 November 2004 to hang on for 960014 to return for its second visit of the day to Stratford-upon-Avon. Peter Tandy.
8th December 2004
Set number: 960014
Taken on 08/12/04 at Wilmcote whilst 960014 (977873, ex-55022) was used on route learning duties for Driver and Guard training of Chiltern Railways staff on the Stratford-upon-Avon route, previously operated by Thames Trains. The transfer of services to Chiltern Railways commenced on 12/12/04, a few days after these photos were taken, with the route learning duties being shared with 960021 (usually used for Sandite duties). 960014 and 960013 were both transferred from Derby to Aylesbury in 2002 and subsequently exchanged with 121027 and 121031, enabling 960014 to be fully refurbished and prepared in advance of the route learning. Image by John Wills. Greg Scott Collection.
8th December 2004
Set number: 960014
Taken on 08/12/04 at Wilmcote whilst 960014 (977873, ex-55022) was used on route learning duties for Driver and Guard training of Chiltern Railways staff on the Stratford-upon-Avon route, previously operated by Thames Trains. The transfer of services to Chiltern Railways commenced on 12/12/04, a few days after these photos were taken, with the route learning duties being shared with 960021 (usually used for Sandite duties). The lesser seen Aylesbury Depot depot stickers are in evidence under the vehicle number. Image by John Wills. Greg Scott Collection.
circa December 2005
Set number: 960014
Changing ends at Kidderminster Turnback Siding, after working a test train from Aylesbury Depot before returning to Marylebone and then back to Aylesbury again, via different sidings and loops to allow for other timetabled services to pass. This was one of a series of tests over three consecutive days using the same path and routes to test suitable WiFi coverage. Greg Scott.
12th August 2006
Set number: 960014
Class 121 single-car dmu W977873 / 55022 (set 960014) stabled at Aylesbury on Saturday 12 August 2006. Ian 10B.
January 2007
Set number: 960014
977873 in the siding next to Aylesbury station, January 2007. Fred Clark.
January 2007
Set number: 960014
977866 faces 977873 in the sidings at Aylesbury, January 2007. Fred Clark.
3rd March 2007
Set number: 960014
977873 stabled at Aylesbury on 3 March 2007. John Grey Turner.
18th February 2008
Set number: 960014
Class 121 977873, set number 960 014, in BR blue and grey livery, is seen arriving at Stourbridge Junction on February 18th 2008. William Poulton.
26th February 2008
Set number: 960014
Class 121 977873, set number 960 014, is seen at Birmingham New Street in BR blue and grey livery on route learning duty for Wrexham and Shropshire Railway on 26.02.2008. Andy Cole.
7th April 2008
At this time, 7 April 2008, there was a lot of fuss made about the training runs for the upcoming WSMR trains between Banbury and Marylebone with class 67 locomotives, but very little said about the blue & grey single unit also running in the Birmingham area. I much prefer bubble cars to 67s so made the effort to go out and to get a shot of it which is here seen approaching the outskirts of Balsall Common, between Coventry and Birmingham International stations. Peter Tandy.
17th April 2008
Set number: 960014
977873 beside 37 248 at Tyseley on 17-4-08. Spannerman37025.
17th April 2008
Set number: 960014
Pressed Steel route learner 977873 at Tyseley on 17-4-08. Spannerman37025.
18th April 2008
Set number: 960014
Some crew training runs in connection with forthcoming WSMR trains between Wrexham and London Marylebone using the single car DMMU 960014 took place on Friday 18 April 2008. The first run was to Birmingham New Street and the second up the main line to Leamington Spa. I am far more interested in seeing this old survivor of the early DMU fleet than the test runs with class 67s as these will be around for some time and I can get my photographs when the fuss has died down. This train was running about 15 minutes late at Hatton due to some earlier signalling problems and managed to run through the platforms at exactly the same time as a northbound Chiltern Trains class 165. I quickly grabbed this receding shot as the 960014 passed a load of untidy clutter on the ballast - the seemingly inevitable aftermath of major engineering work. Just why the mess can't be cleared when the work ends escapes me; it seems to invite vandalism. Peter Tandy.
18th April 2008
Set number: 960014
On 18 April 2008 bubble car 960014 was booked to run straight through Hatton station on its return to Birmingham but through previous late running lost the path and was looped in Hattons Down Goods Loop to allow a down Arriva Trains Voyager to pass on the main line. It ran into the Stratford-upon-Avon Branch platform, rekindling memories of the many years that units of this type shuttled back and forth between Leamington and Stratford. Peter Tandy.
18th April 2008
977873 at Hatton on 18 April 2008, and if it were not for the branding on the sides of 960014 this picture could almost have been taken in the 1980s, at least if one ignores the modern signalling. In earlier days a train such as this would have turned left at the junction and gone to Stratford-upon-Avon but this working is a training run for WSMR crews and will take the spur onto the down main line at Hatton once the Voyager shown above has cleared the section. Peter Tandy.
18th April 2008
977873 takes the spur onto the main line as it departs Hatton station on 18 April 2008 while on a training run for WSMR crews. Peter Tandy.
21st May 2008
Set number: 960014
165 022 with the 17:48 Princes Risborough- Aylesbury alongside 977873 after arrival at Aylesbury on Wednesday 21st May 2008. Colin Brooks.
9th June 2008
Set number: 960014
Chiltern Railways Class 121 No. 960014 stands at Banbury on driver training duties, 9 June 2008. Brian Creasey.
20th June 2008
Set number: 960014
Class 121 route learner 977873, formerly 55022, seen at Banbury on 20 June 2008. Dave Warby.
23rd June 2008
Set number: 960014
In June 20018 the Chiltern Trains Bubble, 960014 (977873), was being use in connection with Arriva Cross Country crews learning the Chiltern Line and parts of the network between Acton and Euston in readiness for weekend diversions of Voyagers over the route. There are a couple of runs during the day but this, at Hatton on 23 June 2008, was the last and the Arriva crew has obviously been dropped off somewhere and 960014 is heading back to Tyseley for the night. These single units have long been a favourite of mine and this train was definitely the highlight of the afternoon for me. Peter Tandy.
28th June 2008
Set number: 960014
Now carrying the text "training the team' on it's bodyside, W977873 is seen at Tyseley on 28/6/08. Daniel Adkins.
28th June 2008
Set number: 960014
977873 at Tyseley on 28/6/08. Daniel Adkins.
28th June 2008
Set number: 960014
The cab decals carried by 977873 when seen at Tyseley on 28/6/08. Daniel Adkins.
28th June 2008
Set number: 960014
W977873's number and Aylesbury depot sticker, caught at Tyseley on 28/6/08. Daniel Adkins.
3rd July 2008
Set number: 960014
Chiltern Railways Class 960 unit No. 960014 (W977873) passes Dorridge on driver training duties on 3 July 2008. Brian Creasey.
3rd July 2008
Set number: 960014
Chiltern Railways Class 960 unit No. 960014 (W977873) passes Dorridge on driver training duties on 3 July 2008. Brian Creasey.
16th July 2008
Set number: 960014
Route learner 977873 (set 960014) at Banbury on 16 July 2008. Dave Warby.
8th August 2008
Set number: 960014
Class 121 DMU W977873 at Acton Main line route learning on 8-8-08. Ian Cuthbertson.
18th April 2009
Set number: 960014
Former Class 121 No. 55022, now unit Class 960 No. 960014 (W977873) is stabled at Aylesbury on 18 April 2009. Brian Creasey.
27th July 2009
977873 Aylesbury on July 27, 2009. Nigel Walls.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
5th May 2011
Set number: 960014
977873 at Didcot on 5 May 2011. Brian Daniels.
29th February 2012
Set number: 960014
977873 stabled at Aylesbury on 29-02-12. John Law.
29th February 2012
Set number: 960014
977873 stabled at Aylesbury on 29-02-12. John Law.
7th March 2012
Set number: 960014
165009 arrives into Aylesbury with 2A22, the 1138 ex Princes Risborough on 7 May 2012. Stabled in the siding is route learning vehicle 977873 and the water jetting train (977988 + 977992 + 977987). Dave Warby.
7th May 2012
Set number: 960014
Class 121 Pressed Steel route learner 977873, originally 55022, stabled in a siding alongside Aylesbury station on 7 May 2012. Behind is 977988, part of the water jetting train. Dave Warby.
7th May 2012
Set number: 960014
Route learning unit 977873 stabled at Aylesbury on 7 May 2012. Dave Warby.
9th September 2012
Set number: 960014
A faded-looking Chiltern Railways Class 121 Sandite/Route Learner W977873/960014 (ex 55022) was stabled alongside Aylesbury station on September 9th 2012. The unit was one of sixteen single units built for BR by Pressed Steel in 1960. W977873 has passed into preservation at the Southall Railway Centre. Martyn Hilbert.
13th January 2013
Set number: 960014
977873 in Derby Etches Park on January 13, 2013. David Page.
13th January 2013
Set number: 960014
The cab of 977873 in Derby Etches Park on January 13, 2013. David Page.
13th January 2013
Set number: 960014
977873 in Derby Etches Park on January 13, 2013. David Page.
13th January 2013
Set number: 960014
977873 in Derby Etches Park on January 13, 2013. David Page.
13th January 2013
Set number: 960014
977873 in Derby Etches Park on January 13, 2013. David Page.
26th September 2013
Set number: 960014
Chiltern Railways unit number 960014 at Aylesbury on 26 September 2013. Lewis Bevan.
10th June 2015
Set number: 960014
Route learning bubble 977873 stabled at Aylesbury on 10 June 2015. Tony Watson.
16th September 2015
Set number: 960014
I was just in the process of grinding some beans for my coffee on 16 September 2015 when a friend 'phoned urging me to get over to the Hatton area as soon as possible because 960014 (977873) and 55020 were heading north from Aylesbury to Tyseley and were already near Fenny Compton. Having always been a fan of single car DMMUs I grabbed my camera bag and drove over to the 3 arch bridge in Dark Lane, Hatton. As soon as opened the car door I heard a train coming and just had time to take my camera from its bag and grab a rather unsatisfactory shot without checking any camera settings and without noticing that it was set to manual focus after taking some astronomical photographs a few nights ago. The shot is just about acceptable as it shows the rare sight of two "bubbles" in the Down Goods Loop. Peter Tandy.
16th September 2015
Set number: 960014
The single car DMMUs running as 5T00 from Aylesbury to Tyseley on 16 September 2015 weren't booked to stand in Hatton DGL but rather to wait for their path north in platform 3. Through early running it had to routed along the loop because a train from Stratford-upon-Avon, 1H47, had no choice but to use that platform for the scheduled station stop. After the Stratford train had gone south and 3 trains had gone north 960014 + 55020 were allowed to leave the loop and resume their journey. It was a bit of a shame given the sunny conditions that they were routed through the branch platform but it was fortunate that some trees cast a complete shadow over the line thus avoiding an unpleasant shot in contre-jour. This is far from being 960014's first trip along here; I photographed it in the area on at least 3 previous occasions including on 23 June 2008 when it was running a timing trial before WSMR started locomotive-hauled operations. Peter Tandy.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: May 1976
Set number: L281
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 121 railcar L122 (No.W55022) and Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends approaching West Ealing on a service from Greenford, 05/76. Hugh Llewelyn.
Date: May 1976
Set number: L281
Pressed Steel 2-car dmu set made up of Class 149 Driving Trailer (designed to work with Class 121 & 122 railcars) No.L281 (W56281) & Class 121 railcar L122 (No.W55022) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends approaching West Ealing on a service from Greenford, 05/76. Hugh Llewelyn.
Date: 11th May 1986
Set number: L134
Class 121 W55034 on Southall depot, 11 May 1986. To the right are 55022, 54287, 55030 and L422. Chris McKee.
Date: 21st February 1987
Set number: 427
W51407 (presumably with 59517 + 51365) and W55022 at Ealing Broadway on the 21st February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 21st February 1987
Set number: 427
W51407 at the front of set 427 (presumably with 59517 + 51365) arriving into Ealing Broadway station on February 21, 1987. In the distance is 55022. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 25th August 2003
Set number: 960015
975042, 977873, 977866 and 977858 stabled at Aylesbury on 25/8/03. Robert Frise.
Date: 4th February 2014
Set number: 121034
Three class 121 single diesel units, "bubble cars", were set for transfer from Tyseley Steam Trust to Aylesbury on Tuesday 4 February 2014. I have always had a soft spot for these as it was in one of them that I had my first-ever rail trip when a youngster when being taken by my father to Leamington Spa on an early spotting trip. I didn't know which units were being moved and was pleased when the multi-coloured cavalcade (55034, 55032 and 977873) came around the curve from Hatton North Junction. The train, 5A00, left Tyseley 51 minutes late but after being able to miss out a scheduled stop in Dorridge loop was only 18 minutes down when I pressed the shutter. The sun was fully out at the scheduled passing time of 5A00, went behind some thick cloud for a few minutes around the actual passing time and, naturally, was fully out again by the time I drove out of Hatton station's car park. Peter Tandy.