Vehicle 55029 / 977968

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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)
4w/e 04/05/68	Transferred to	84A (Laira)
3w/e 30/04/72	Transferred to	86A (Cardiff Canton)
06/05/73	Depot code change	CF
w/e 12/04/75	Transferred to	RG (Reading)
Jun-87	Transferred to	OO (Old Oak Common)
13/01/93	Transferred to	HQ (Headquarters) NXXX
06/10/93	Transferred to	BY (Bletchley) NXXX
03/12/93	Sector Change to	BY (Bletchley) NNDX

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

55029 - original number
977968 - from Feb-02 (departmental stock)

Department Use as 977968

Camera Unit (Eurailscout GB) From 2/02 to ?.

Modifications

p/e 28/10/72 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 09/08/75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 13/08/77 - Leyland engines fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 18/01/1980 released in blue/grey livery

Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

LA101	55029								Listed at Laira - circa Apr-71
C129	55029								Noted 31/10/72
C129	55029								Noted 01/08/73 - on 2M67 0755 Cardiff-Crewe with C500 50647 + 59265 + 50705
C129	55029								Noted 03/09/73 - at Shrewsbury1
L129	55029								Listed at RG - 01/05/1976
L129	55029	56286							Noted 08/09/76 - at Slough, 56286 has set number L2861
L129	55029								Noted 01/06/1977 - Oxford Station2
L129	55029								Noted 20/10/1977 - Oxford Station2
L129	55029								Listed at RG - 31st December 1977
L129	55029								Noted 28/08/1979 - At Maidenhead P5 1611 working with L285 to Marlow2
L129	55029								Listed at RG - 03/03/80
	55029	56283							Noted 29/05/80 - at Oxford, 56283 carrying set number L283
L129	55029								Listed at RG - 15/12/1982
	55029	59120	53336						Noted circa 12/19843
L129	55029								Listed at RG - 01/01/85
L129	55029								Listed at Reading - Summer 1986
	51360	59512	55029						Noted 13/09/19863
L129	55029	54280							Noted 21/04/87 - at Royal Oak, 54280 carried set number L2801
L129	55029								Listed at OO - Aug-87
L129	55029								Noted circa 08/19873
L129	55029								Noted circa 12/19873
129	55029								Noted circa 03/19883
L129	55029								Listed at OO - 15/05/89
L410	51387	59497	55029						Noted 28/09/1990 - Reported in RCTS Railway Observer 2
L129	55029								Listed at OO - 21/01/91
L424	51362	59514	55029						Noted 09/11/91 - 19:15 Paddington - Reading
	55024	55029							Noted 09/04/92 - on 19:12 Reading - Paddington4
L124	55024	59498	55029						Noted 17/04/92 - on 11:03 Maidenhead - Paddington
L480	55024	59498	55029						Listed at OO - 24/04/92 - NSE NWRX pool
L129	55029								Listed at OO - 12/08/92
	55029	54495	51409						Noted circa 09/19923
L429	55029	59495	51409						Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX
L129	55029								Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NNDX
121129	55029								Formed 4w/e 22/07/95
	55027	55029							Noted 10/10/98 - on 2N17 13:50 Bletchley - Bedford4
	55029								Noted 17/10/98 - on 2N17 13:50 Bletchley - Bedford with 51363 + 514054
	55027	55029							Noted 11/06/99 - on 2N24 18:46 Bedford - Bletchley4
	55029	55031							Noted 21/09/99 - on Bletchley - Bedford services4

Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Shayne Lewis
3: Eddie Knorn
4: David Bellamy

Images:

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1970

Set number: 129

Class 121 55029 about to cross the River Tamar to Saltash sometime in 1970. Les Flint.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

55029 has Exeter on its destination blind when seen at Sampford Courtenay on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

55029 awaits departure from Yeoford on the 12th September 1970. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

A couple of passengers have alighted from 55029 at Sampford Courtenay on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

55029 at Crediton on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

The guard walks back to his van on 55029 at North Tawton on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

Station activity with 55029 sitting in the platform at North Tawton on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

55029 awaits departure from North Tawton on the 12th September 1970. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

Okehampton on the 12th September 1970, with 55029 sitting in the platform. Steve Davies Collection.

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12th September 1970

Set number: 129

55029 at Okehampton on 12/9/70. Steve Davies Collection.

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Unknown date

Set number: 129

55029 and 55027 at Looe. Date unknown, but in the period 1969-72. Stuart Rankin.

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1st May 1971

Set number: 129

The scene at St Blazey Open Day on the 1st of May 1971. The Pressed Steel bubble car is W55029, the Warship in the background is D806. The KDH Archive.

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4th May 1971

Warship D852 is on a up Milk service as it passes a single car DMU (which seems to be 55029) on the 2B16 service at Menheniot on the 4th of May 1971. The KDH Archive.

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31st December 1973

W55029 departs Hereford leading a Class 120 on a Cardiff - Crewe service. 31-12-73. Paul James.

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May 1974

Set number: C129

Pressed Steel bubble W55029 on the rear of a Swindon Cross-Country set at Ludlow in May 1974. The 120 centre car has a red stripe over the buffet end and 'Buffet' lettering on the side. Mel Smith.

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7th July 1976

Set number: L129

55029 approaches Bourne End from Marlow, 7th July 1976. 54A South Dock.

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1977

Set number: L129

55029 working with a Class 117 set seen at Twyford in 1977. Steve Davies Collection.

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1st March 1979

Set number: L129

Keep it in the family - a Pressed Steel Class 121 "bubble car" (which seems to be 55029) stands in for a Pressed Steel Class 117 DMS in this formation seen at Iver on 1 March 1979. George Woods.

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circa 1979/1980

Set number: L129

Class 121 W55029 standing on for a Class 117 DMBS AT Reading - date unknown, circa 1979/80. Paul Redmond.

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27th May 1980

Set number: L129

Class 121s W55029 + W56283 (the latter in white / blue stripe livery) in Oxford station on Tuesday 27 May 1980. Banbury (General) is on the destination blind. David Russon.

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26th July 1980

Set number: L129

55029 and 55028 are seen at Southall on the 26th July 1980. Ian Buck.

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1981

Set number: L129

Class 121 W55029 and a trailer arrive at Slough in the first half of 1981. Rob Paterson.

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3rd January 1981

Set number: L129

Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 55029 (set L129) and DTS trailer, Acton Main Line with Down local 3-1-81. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

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15th August 1981

Set number: L128

55028 at Marlow, 15th August 1981. Chris Lings.

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Unknown date

Set number: L129

55029 seen at Ivor. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.

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21st June 1983

Set number: L129

Class 121 DMU 55029 L129 at Ealing Broadway station on June 21, 1983. Jonathan Hazan.

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16th September 1983

Set number: L129

Pressed Steel vehicles at Paddington on the 16th September 1983. 55029 is attached to 51356. Hamish Stevenson.

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26th August 1984

The 26th of August 1984 and its open day at the GLC refuse centre in Brentford. Running from Southall to Brentford on the freight only line at the time is the Coupler Special service formed of single unit Class 121 bubble cars W55029 and W55020. It seems you were only allowed to lean out of the windows in the rear DMU!! The KDH Archive.

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8th April 1986

Set number: L129

55029 at Paddington on the 8th April 1986, about to leave on an ECS to Southall. Paul Moxon.

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18th November 1987

Set number: L129

Class 121 55029 sandwiched between 50 015 'Valiant' and 31466 at Old Oak Common on the evening of 18/11/1987. Robert Chilton.

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27th November 1987

Set number: L129

55029 is one of the vehicles seen in this formation at Didcot, 27th November 1987. Hamish Stevenson.

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22nd October 1988

Set number: L129

Bubbles on the Acton Main Line, closest is 55029 with a Paddington - Greenford service, October 22nd 1988. Colin Brooks.

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27th October 1988

Set number: 129

55029 at Paddington on October 27th, 1988. Rex Holt.

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6th March 1989

Set number: 129

Pressed Steel bubble car 55029 at Oxford on 06/03/89. Roddy MacPhee.

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15th October 1989

Class 121 55029 and other DMUs behind and to the left inside the shed at Old Common depot on 15 October 1989. Keith Miller.

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circa 1991

Set number: L129

Class 104 53540 with Class 121 54289 hybrid DMU set L263 approaches Pressed Steel Class 121 'Bubble Car' 55029 near West Ealing station circa 1991. From the late 1980s, a number of imported DMU sets were to be seen working NSE locals out of Paddington. The strangest arrivals were ex-Manchester Class 104s, one of which is seen here making up a hybrid set of BRC&W Class 104 DMBS 53540 and Pressed Steel Class 121 DTS 54289. The unit is about to pass one of the traditional Greenford branch Class 121 'Bubble Cars' 55029. West Ealing station is in the background. Chris McKee.

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circa May 1991

Set number: L429

Class 121 55029 stands in for a Class 117 DMBS. Seen to the north of Tackley, Reading is on the destination blind, the slide process date was May 1991. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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9th November 1991

Set number: L129

55029 as a 117 power car stand-in, working with 59514 + 51362 (L424). Seen after arriving at Reading on the 19:15 from Paddington, 9/11/91. Gazza Prescott.

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circa 1992

Set number: L129

55029 in Bedford station on the Bletchley shuttle circa 1992. John Grey Turner.

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April 1992

Set number: L129

At Clapham Junction together with another class 121 sister 55029 is working the "Kenny Belle" to Kensington Olympia in April 1992. Ian Buck.

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25th June 1992

Set number: L129

Class 121 55029 leads a Class 117 through Langley station on 25 June 1992. Andrew Malloy.

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circa late 1992

Set number: L129

55029 is a Class 117 power car stand in, working with 59495 + 51409, on the 12:48 Slough - Paddington at Hayes & Harlington. Undated, circa late 1992. Gazza Prescott.

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21st May 1994

Set number: L129

An immaculate looking Class 121 single-unit 55029, was coupled to a two-car Class 117 (51401 + 51359) awaiting departure from Bletchley with the 14.50 service to Bedford on May 21st 1994. Martyn Hilbert.

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Unknown date

Set number: L129

L129 (55029, right) and L131 (55031, left) at Ridgmont, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

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Unknown date

Set number: L129

L129 (55029) and L131 (55031) at Bletchley, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

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21st January 1995

Set number: L129

55029 Clapham Junction 21/1/95. Sparegang.

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13th February 1995

Set number: L129

55029 on the Bletchley service at Bedford on the 13th February 1995. Ian Buck.

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18th August 1995

Set number: 121029

55029 + 55031 South Tottenham 18/8/95. Sparegang.

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October 1995

Set number: L129

In October 1995 55029 is seen at Willesden Junction working the West London service to Clapham Junction. A far cry from the level of service seen today! Ian Buck.

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circa October 1996

Set number: L129

Pressed Steel bubble cars 55029 and 55031 at Bedford circa October 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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31st January 1997

Set number: L129

Working the Sudbury branch on the 31st December 1997 55029 waits at Marks Tey. Ian Buck.

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31st December 1997

Set number: L129

55029 crosses the viaduct at Chappel and Wakes Cole on the 31st December 1997 whilst working the Sudbury branch. Ian Buck.

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31st December 1997

Set number: L129

For a short time to cover a shortage of "modern" dmus a class 121 was used on the Marks Tey to Sudbury line. 55029 is seen at Sudbury on 31st December 1997. Ian Buck.

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7th January 1998

Set number: L129

55029 at Sudbury after arrival from Marks Tey on 7th January 1998. David Page.

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7th January 1998

Set number: L129

55029 in Marks Tey station with a Sudbury service on January 7, 1988. David Page.

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7th January 1998

Set number: L129

55029 at Marks Tey on January 7, 1988. David Page.

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October 1998

Set number: 121029

Bubbles face to face at Bletchley in October 1998. Note 55029 (left) has round corners to the black 'mask' round the cab windows, 55027 (right) has a square corner. David Page.

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October 1998

Set number: 121029

121029 (55029) and L127 (55027) at Bletchley in October 1998. David Page.

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October 1998

Set number: 121029

Two NSE Class 121 bubbles at Bletchley in October 1998, 55029 and 55027. David Page.

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14th October 1998

Set number: 121029

Class 121 single units 55029 and 55027 at Millbrook working the 15.30 Bletchley-Bedford on Wednesday 14 October 1998. Lewis Bevan.

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1999

Set number: 121029

Three bubbles - 55029, 55031 and 55027 along with a stored Class 117 at Bletchley in 1999. Graham Baker.

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Unknown date

Set number: 121029

55029 and 55027 at Bedford. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.

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14th April 1999

Set number: L129

55029 seen stabled at Bletchley Depot on the 14th April 1999. Ian Buck.

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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.

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13th August 1999

Set number: L129

55029 is at Upper Holloway unusually working the Gospel oak to Barking line on the 13th August 1999. Ian Buck.

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24th August 1999

Set number: 121029

A pair of single-unit dmu cars, 55029/55031, arrive at Millbrook on a Bedford-Bletchley working on 24 August 1999. Lewis Bevan.

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11th September 1999

Set number: 121029

Class 121s 55029 and 55031 Woburn Sands 11 September 1999. There were some extremely cheap Group travel deals being offered by Virgin Trains from Scotland at this time so we decided to come down for the day and partake of the Class 31s topping and tailing on the Bletchley line. We drove from Edinburgh to Motherwell to catch a Glasgow to Euston and changed at Milton Keynes. To get the good deal we had to book well in advance and sadly by the time our weekend came round the 31s had been replaced by two pairs of bubbles. Still though ............................... Alistair Ness.

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Unknown date

Set number: 121029

55029 with 55027 behind, seen at Bedford. Undated. Robert Frise Collection.

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3rd February 2000

Set number: L129

The interior of 55029 on the 3rd February 2000. Ian Buck.

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3rd February 2000

Set number: L129

The cab of 55029 on the 3rd February 2000. Ian Buck.

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15th April 2000

Set number: 121029

55029 and 55027 head away from the camera between Kempston and Hardwick on 15/4/2000. Ian McDonald.

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15th April 2000

Set number: 121029

55027 and 55029 At Millbrook on 15/4/00. Ian McDonald.

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13th May 2000

Set number: 121029

Triple bubbles! 55029, 55027 & 55031 at Lidlington on 13th May 2000. Ian McDonald.

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Unknown date

Set number: 121029

Silverlink liveried 121 029 inside Bletchley TMD, date unknown. Graham Baker.

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14th June 2000

Set number: 121029

"Double Bubbles" 55029 and 55031 at Soho on the 14th June 2000. Ian McDonald.

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23rd June 2000

Set number: 121029

Class 121 55029 MARSTON VALE, set number 121 029, is seen passing Washwood Heath on 23.06.2000 in Silverlink livery coupled with 55031 LESLIE CRABBE in Network South East livery. Andy Cole.

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6th August 2002

Eurailscout GB camera unit Class 121 977968 in Carlisle station on 6.8.02. George Woods.

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6th August 2002

Eurailscout GB camera unit Class 121 977968 in Carlisle station on 6.8.02. George Woods.

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Unknown date

977968 was formerly 55029, and in this view it was the Eurailscout GB camera unit. It's seen in Manchester Piccadilly at the Stockport end of platform 13. Ian Francis.

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17th February 2004

977968 heads south through Warrington Bank Quay on 17-2-04. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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16th September 2004

A close-up of the logo on 977968, taken at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, 16th September 2004. Stuart Mackay.

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16th September 2004

977968 at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, 16th September 2004. Stuart Mackay.

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16th September 2004

977968 at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, 16th September 2004. Stuart Mackay.

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16th September 2004

Logo details on 977968, taken at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, 16th September 2004. Stuart Mackay.

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16th September 2004

977968 at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, 16th September 2004. Stuart Mackay.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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12th June 2005

977968 (ex-55029) at Newton Abbot's Hackney Yard on Sunday 12th June 2005. Peter White.

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10th September 2005

977968 at Crewe Works Open Day on 10 September 2005. David Mant.

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10th September 2005

977968 at Crewe Works Open Day on 10.9.05. George Woods.

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10th September 2005

977968 at Crewe Works Open Day on 10.9.05. George Woods.

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29th January 2006

Now lacking the huge Eurailscout logos and camera gear, 977968 is seen at Rhiwbina (Coryton branch) on 29th January 2006. Tom Clift.

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10th April 2006

Carillion branded 977968 at Cheadle Hulme on 10-4-06. John Law.

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10th April 2006

Carillion branded 977968 at Cheadle Hulme on 10-4-06. John Law.

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19th October 2007

Class 121 977968 is seen at Crewe on 19.10.2007. Andy Cole.

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24th October 2007

Carillion Bubble Car 977968 arrives at Crewe on 24-10-07. John Grey Turner.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

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Date: unknown

Set number: 127

Double bubble at Liskeard. Set number 127 means this should be 55027, the other is 129 (55029). Date unknown, but both were allocated to Plymouth 1968/69-72. Stuart Rankin.

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Date: 28th April 1979

Set number: L284

Class 121 W56284 & W55029 Maidenhead 28 April 1979. Doing the Thames valley branches on a Western Region Rover. Alistair Ness.

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Date: 28th April 1979

Set number: L284

Class 121 W56284 & W55029 Marlow 28 April 1979. Doing the Thames valley branches on a Western Region Rover. Alistair Ness.

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Date: 29th May 1980

Set number: L283

W56283 + W55029 at Oxford on 29 May 1980. Brian Daniels.

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Date: unknown

Unit 121031 (and presumably 55029) approaching Woburn Sands Station on 26 03 1999. Shot taken from the Signal Box, perks of the job as a visiting Inspector! Paul Fleet.

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Date: circa 1991

Set number: L263

Class 104 53540 with Class 121 54289 hybrid DMU set L263 passes Pressed Steel Class 121 'Bubble Car' 55029 near West Ealing station circa 1991. From the late 1980s, a number of imported DMU sets were to be seen working NSE locals out of Paddington. The strangest arrivals were ex-Manchester Class 104s, one of which is seen here making up a hybrid set of BRC&W Class 104 DMBS 53540 and Pressed Steel Class 121 DTS 54289. The unit is about to pass one of the traditional Greenford branch Class 121 'Bubble Cars' 55029. Ealing Broadway station is in the background. I think I'm being yelled at by the driver! What happened to railway uniforms? Chris McKee.

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Date: 17th April 1992

Set number: L124

55024 heads a bubble car /117 centre car (59498) / bubble car (55029) formation, arriving at Paddington with the 11:03 from Maidenhead, 17th April 1992. Gazza Prescott.

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Date: circa October 1996

Set number: L131

Class 121 Pressed Steel bubble cars 55031 and 55029 at Bedford on Bletchley duties circa October 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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Date: October 1998

Set number: L127

Bubbles 55027 + 55029 at Bletchley on October 1998. David Page.

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Date: unknown

Set number: 121027

55027 and 55029 at Bedford, undated. Robert Frise Collection.

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Date: circa 1999

Set number: 121031

55031 "Leslie Crabbe" in number 4 road at Bletchley circa 1999, with 55029 on its left. Graham Baker.

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Date: 17th February 1999

Set number: L131

Seen at Bletchley on the 17th February 1999 55031 and 55029 on the Bedford service. Ian Buck.

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Date: 24th August 1999

Set number: 121031

A pair of single-unit dmu cars, 55029/55031, stop at Millbrook on a Bedford-Bletchley working on 24 August 1999. Note the approaching train, which is the 14.50 Bletchley-Bedford worked by top and tailed Class 31s, in this case 31468 and 31601. Lewis Bevan.

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Date: 24th August 1999

Class 121 single units 55031/55029 show off their nameplates at Bletchley on 24 August 1999. 55031 is named "Leslie Crabbe", with a plaque that reads "1926-1996. Railwayman and friend of the Marston Vale line". The nameplate was later carried by Class 150 no 150 131. 55029 is named "Marston Vale". Lewis Bevan.

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Date: 11th September 1999

Set number: 121031

Class 121 55031 and 55029 Woburn Sands 11 September 1999. There were some extremely cheap Group travel deals being offered by Virgin Trains from Scotland at this time so we decided to come down for the day and partake of the Class 31s topping and tailing on the Bletchley line. We drove from Edinburgh to Motherwell to catch a Glasgow to Euston and changed at Milton Keynes. To get the good deal we had to book well in advance and sadly by the time our weekend came round the 31s had been replaced by two pairs of bubbles. Still though ............................... Alistair Ness.

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Date: 15th April 2000

Set number: 121027

55027 and 55029 taken on the 15th April 2000 at Woburn Sands. Ian McDonald.

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Date: 13th May 2000

Set number: 121031

55031, 55027 and 55029 seen at Lidlington on 13/5/00. Greg Scott notes "The destination blind box shows HI. Presumably when the units were transferred to Great Eastern from Bletchley, the original blinds were removed to be replaced with Marks Tey/Sudbury. When the units were transferred back to Bletchley, the blinds weren't replaced. These units were subsequently transferred to Aylesbury Depot, where I noted that whoever left the message 'HI' did so with Panini football stickers!" Ian McDonald.

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Date: 13th May 2000

Set number: 121031

Triple bubble formation 55031, 55027 and 55029 seen at Stewartby on 13th May 2000. Ian McDonald.

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Date: 14th June 2000

Set number: 121031

"Double Bubbles" 55031 and 55029 at Soho on the 14th June 2000. Ian McDonald.

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Date: 26th June 2000

26.06.2000 Class 121 55031 LESLIE CRABBE is seen passing Washwood Heath in Network South East livery on a route learning train coupled with 55029. 55031 was later converted to 977976 and was used as part of the Severn Tunnel emergency train. Andy Cole.

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Date: 29th June 2000

Silverlink and NSE bubble cars seen on the Up Main with a Route learning special seen from the Down Tower at Bescot on 29 June 2000. Both vehicles are named, so they are either 55027, 55029 or 55031. Simon Barnes.