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Vehicle 55031 / 977976

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	81D (Reading)
Jun-64	Transferred to	84A (Laira)
Dec-65	Transferred to	81C (Southall)
Apr-68	Transferred to	81D (Reading)
May 1973	Depot code change	RG
Jun-87	Transferred to	OO (Old Oak Common)
09/12/92	Transferred to	BY (Bletchley) NNDX
Dec-02	To departmental stock
Apr-08	Withdrawn

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

55031 - original number
977976 - from Feb-02 (departmental stock)

Department Use as 977976

Severn Tunnel Emergency Unit From 12/02 to 4/08. Carried set number 960303

Modifications

p/e 09/06/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
p/e 11/04/78 - Leyland engines fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 13/08/1980 released in blue/grey livery

Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

LA109	55031				Listed at 84A - mid-Oct-65
	55031	56281	55992		Noted 30/04/75 - on Old Oak Common depot, set number only on 55031¹
L131	55031				Listed at RG - 01/05/1976
	55031	59495	51385		Noted 08/09/76 - in Paddington¹
L407	51342	59494	55031		Noted 05/1977 - Oxford Didcot Reading area²
L420	51358	59510	55031		Noted 01/06/1977 - Oxford Station²
L586	51077	59420	55031	51105	Noted 14/06/1977 - Oxford Station²
L131	55031				Listed at RG - 31st December 1977
L131	55031				Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station²
L131	55031				Noted 28/08/1979 - At Slough²
L131	55031				Listed at RG - 03/03/80
L131	55031				Listed at RG - 15/12/1982
L131	55031				Listed at RG - 01/01/85
L131	55031				Noted 05/04/1986³
L131	55031				Listed at Reading - Summer 1986
L131	55031				Noted 21/06/1986 - at Paddington⁴
L131	55031				Noted 21/06/1986 - at Old Oak Common⁴
	55031	54280			Noted 26/08/1986³
L131	55031				Listed at OO - Aug-87
L131	55031				Noted circa 04/1988³
L131	55031				Listed at - 15/05/89
L131	55031				Noted circa 07/1989³
	51074	59430	55031		Noted circa 07/1990³
L131	55031				Listed at OO - 21/01/91
	55027	59514	55031		Listed at - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool
	55031	51386			Noted circa 08/1992³
L131	55031				Listed at - 12/08/92
L131	55031				Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX
L131	55031				Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NNDX
	55027	55031			Noted 12/05/99 - on 2N16 14:40 Bedford - Bletchley⁵
	55029	55031			Noted 21/09/99 - on Bletchley - Bedford services⁵

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

Images:

Unknown date

Set number: L131

Pressed Steel Class 121 DMU W55031 at Oxford circa early 1970s. Brian Daniels.

circa 1974

Set number: L131

55031 on the main line at Banbury circa 1974. John Law.

circa 1974

Set number: L131

Single car 55021 at Banbury circa 1974. John Law.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

55031 on the front of a seven-car formation At Southall. Behind is two-cars from a three-car set, another bubble car, and a three-car set. Date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.

10th April 1976

Set number: L131

55031 runs through Sonning Cutting on the 10th April 1976. Steve Davies Collection.

16th March 1979

Set number: L131

Class 121 W55031 working with a DTS at Oxford on 16 March 1979. Brian Daniels.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

In the mid eighties 55031 is seen heading along the Great Western main line at West Ealing. Ian Buck.

September 1982

Pressed Steel Class 121 "bubble car" W55031 working with DTS W56280 seen at Paddington on Greenford duties in September 1982. Hugh Llewelyn.

14th May 1984

Set number: L131

W55031 stands at Oxford station after arriving with the 1141 from Banbury on 14 May 1864. Keith Long.

14th May 1984

Set number: L131

Pressed Steel built W55031 waiting departure from Banbury with the 1141 to Oxford on 14 May 1984. Keith Long.

9th April 1985

Set number: L131

Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 55031 (set L131) departing Greenford for Ealing Broadway on 9-4-85. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

9th April 1985

Set number: L131

Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 55031 (set L131) at Ealing Broadway with a service for Greenford on 9-4-85. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

9th April 1985

Set number: L131

Class 121 Pressed Steel DMU 55031 (set L131) at Greenford on 9-4-85. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

17th July 1985

Set number: L131

Arriving at Paddington is 55031 on the 17th July 1985. Ian Buck.

28th August 1985

Class 121 'bubble car' 55031 at Didcot on 28 August 1985. The Class 117 in the platform is thought to be B439 with 51390 visible. Nicholas T Smith.

19th March 1986

Set number: L131

Pressed steel Class 121 DMU 55031 with DTS at Marlow, Wednesday 19 March 1986. Ian 10B.

5th July 1986

Set number: L131

Pressed Steel Class 121 W55031, set L131, waits with the 12.25 To Greenford at Ealing Braodway on 5 July 1986. Dave Warby.

30th June 1987

Set number: L131

Class 121 DMU no 55031 at Banbury in Network SouthEast livery on 30th June 1987. Jonathan Hazan.

3rd July 1987

The first of RGs allocation of Class 121 'Bubble cars' to wear Network South East livery, 55031, is resplendent in its new colours as it runs ECS towards Appleford on an Oxford - Didcot working .... 3rd July 1987. Nigel Mack.

15th August 1987

Set number: L131

Class 121 W55031 leads Class 108 E53616 + E54209 into Westbury with the 17:50 Bristol - Weymouth service on 15 August 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

1st May 1988

Set number: L131

On a dull overcast day; Second version NSE liveried L131 in Slough station on Slough - Windsor shuttle duties. 1 May 1988. Alistair Fyffe.

5th June 1988

Set number: L131

55031 at Oxford with the Bicester shuttle on June 5, 1988. John Carter.

January 1990

Set number: L131

55031 / L131 at Ealing Broadway with a westbound service in January 1990. John McIntyre.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

Pressed Steel Bubbles 55031 and 55025 on the approach to Southall station, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

Two Class 121s, 55031 closest and the other is probably 55025, at Southall. Date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.

13th April 1991

Set number: L131

55031 and 55028 at West Ealing with the 06:36 Paddington to Greenford, 13/4/91. Gazza Prescott.

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.

13th April 1991

Set number: L131

55031 at Ealing Broadway with the 10:03 Greenford - Paddington, 13/4/91. Note the unofficial name 'Rachel'. Gazza Prescott.

17th June 1991

55031 at Paddington, 17th June 1991. Mike Cooper.

30th June 1991

Set number: L131

The Class 121 closest appears to be 55031, the 104/121 on the rear is set L263 (presumably 53540 + 54289). Taken around 11:15 at West Ealing Sunday 30 June 1991. Stuart Mackay Collection.

6th September 1991

Set number: L131

Class 121 bubble 55031 at Ealing Broadway with the 13:35 London Paddington-Greenford on 6 September 1991. John Carter.

6th September 1991

Set number: L131

55031 with the 14:03 Greenford-London Paddington at Greenford on 6 September 1991. John Carter.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

This appears to be 55031, working with another classmate at Bletchley, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

Double bubble departing Bletchley, probably with 55031 closest. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

55031 departs from Kempston Hardwicke. Date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

Pressed Steel Class 121 bubble car 55031 (set L131) at Kempston Hardwicke, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

L131 (55031) with another Pressed Steel bubble at Bedford St Johns. Date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

55031 (L131) and another Class 121 stabled at Bedford, date unknown. John Grey Turner.

Unknown date

Set number: L131

55031 (L131) is closest on the rear of this double bubble formation at Bedford St Johns. Date unknown. John Grey Turner.

31st March 1993

Set number: L131

Bubble 55031 at Bletchley with the 14:50 to Bedford Midland on March 31, 1993. John Carter.

21st August 1993

Set number: L131

55031 waiting to leave with the 10:40 to Bletchley at Bedford Midland, 21/8/93. Gazza Prescott.

19th January 1994

Set number: L131

Class 121 single unit 55031 calls at Ridgmont working the 12.50 Bletchley - Bedford on 19 January 1994. Lewis Bevan.

19th January 1994

Set number: L131

55031 at Lidlington on 19 January 1994 forming the 13.40 Bedford - Bletchley. Lewis Bevan.

28th March 1994

Set number: L131

The 17:40 Bedford - Bletchley calls into Bow Brickhill on March 28, 1994, operated by 55031. John Carter.

28th March 1994

Set number: L131

55031 with the 16:50 Bletchley - Bedford at Woburn Sands on March 28, 1994. John Carter.

2nd April 1994

Set number: L131

55031 waits to depart from Bedford Midland with the 12:40 to Bletchley on April 2nd, 1994. John Carter.

29th March 1995

Set number: L131

On a wintry 29th March 1995 55031 departs Bedford St Johns. Ian Buck.

16th May 1995

Set number: L131

55031 at Bletchley on the 16th May 1995. Ian Buck.

5th June 1995

Set number: L131

Network Southeast Class 121 unit No. L131 (55031) stands at Clapham Junction working a service to Willesden Junction at 27 March 2021. Brian Creasey.

15th June 1995

Set number: L131

L131 (55031) brings up the rear of L707 (presumably 51377 + 51335) at Ridgmont Station on 15 06 1995. During term times of the Harpur Trust Schools in Bedford, trains were invariably strengthened to accommodate the number of children that used the services regularly. Paul Fleet.

5th July 1995

Set number: L131

M55031 at Bletchley on 5 July 1995 to work the 17.50 to Bedford. Lewis Bevan.

23rd April 1996

Set number: L131

A visit to Woburn Sands station on 23 April 1996, just in time to see 2 Class 121 single units, 55023/55031, depart with what I recorded as "the 14.00 to Bedford" (ie a Bletchley-Bedford train). Lewis Bevan.

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.

circa 1999

Set number: 121031

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

1999

Set number: 121031

55031 worked all day on 55027's first outing on passenger use in Silverlink colours, and the pair are seen here at Bletchley. Lee Ellershaw.

2nd February 1999

Set number: 121031

55031 with 55027 at Bletchley on the 11:50 to Bedford, 2/2/99. After displacement by 150 units 55027 became departmental 977976. Sparegang.

17th February 1999

Set number: L131

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

May 1999

Set number: L131

Until the mid-90s St Johns was the terminus of services from Bletchley. However sense prevailed and the service extended to Bedford Midland. The remains of St Johns were replaced by a halt seen here as a Bletchley bound train appeared in the form of class 121 single unit 55031 in NSE livery, May 1999. Stephen Burdett.

May 1999

Set number: L131

NSE liveried class 121 bubble car 55031 crosses the Great Ouse on its way from Bedford Midland to Bletchley in May 1999. Stephen Burdett.

17th May 1999

Set number: 121031

'Leslie Crabb' 55031 in Bedford on 17th May 1999. David Page.

23rd June 1999

Set number: 121031

Pressed Steel Class 121 single car DMU 55031 departs from Bedford St Johns on 23 June 1999. Note the "HI" on the destination! Sparegang.

23rd June 1999

Set number: 121031

55031 + 55027 at Bletchley on 23/6/99. Note the destination. Sparegang.

13th August 1999

Set number: L131

Unusually working the Gospel Oak to Barking line at Upper Holloway is 55031 seen on 13th August 1999. Ian Buck.

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.

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.

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.

4th October 1999

Set number: 121031

On 4 October 1999 an early evening Bletchley to Bedford service, with two Pressed Steel class 121 Twin 'bubble cars' (55031 leading), gets underway from the Stewartby station stop just as the sun finds a gap in the clouds at the right moment. The signal gantry was on the lean! Gordon Edgar.

3rd February 2000

Set number: L131

Name of 55031 on 3rd February 2000. Ian Buck.

13th May 2000

Set number: 121031

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

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.

5th June 2000

Set number: 121031

121031 passes Walsall on 5/6/2000 with a route learner working possibly over the Chase line. Stephen Burdett.

8th June 2000

Set number: 121031

Class 121 55031 LESLIE CRABBE, set number 121 031, is seen passing Washwood Heath on0 8.06.2000 in Network South East livery. Andy Cole.

14th June 2000

Set number: 121031

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

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.

30th August 2012

977976 (ex-55031) which was one of the Severn Tunnel Emergency Recovery Trains. Seen at Cardiif Canton depot on 30/08/2012. Alex Drennan.

30th August 2012

A neglected looking 977976 (ex-55031) which was one of the Severn Tunnel Emergency Recovery Trains. Seen at Cardiif Canton depot on 30/08/2012. Alex Drennan.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: September 1982

Pressed Steel DTS W56280 working with W55031 arriving at Paddington on a service from Greenford, 09/82. Hugh Llewelyn.

Date: 28th August 1985

Set number: B439

Class 117 DMU set B439 (presumably DMS 51390 + TCL 59749 + DMBS 51348) set arriving at Didcot on 28 August 1985. A bubble can just be seen on the left in the loop, thought to be W55031. Nicholas T Smith.

Date: circa 1991

Set number: L125

Two Class 121 Pressed Steel bubble cars, 55025 + 55031, in Southall station, circa 1991. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 13th April 1991

Set number: L128

55028 and 55031 awaits departure from Paddington on the 06:05 to Greenford, 13th April 1991. Gazza Prescott.

Date: 30th June 1991

Set number: L263

Set L263 (presumably 54289 + 53540) and a Class 121 which is thought to be 55031, seen around 11:00 at West Ealing on Sunday 30 June 1991. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: unknown

Set number: L129

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

Date: unknown

Set number: L129

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

Date: 18th August 1995

Set number: 121029

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

Date: circa October 1996

Set number: L129

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

Date: unknown

55027 "Bletchley TMD" at Bletchley in the late '90s, with NSE liveried 55031. Graham Baker.

Date: 1999

Set number: 121029

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

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: 2nd February 1999

Set number: 121027

55027 with 55031 at Bedford, 2/2/99. Sparegang.

Date: 1st May 1999

Four bubbles at Bletchley on the 1st May 1999. From left to right: 977723, 55031, 55027 & 55029. Note the number on Silverlink 55027 is missing the final two digits. Ian McDonald.

Date: 25th May 1999

Set number: 121027

Pressed Steel class 121 'Bubble Cars' Nos.55027 'Bletchley TMD' (in Silverlink livery) and 55031 'Leslie Crabbe'(in Network Southeast livery) rasp away from Stewartby station forming a Bedford to Bletchley service on 25 May 1999. This was meant to be a Fuji colour transparency, but at the end of the day when I rewound the film and opened the film back I discovered that I had been using Agfa Scala B&W transparency film for the whole of the mostly sunny day. Such were the trials and tribulations of using film cameras! Gordon Edgar.

Date: 1st July 1999

Set number: 121027

55027 and 55031 at Millbrook on the 1st July 1999. Ian McDonald.

Date: 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.

Date: 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.

Date: 13th May 2000

Set number: 121029

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

Date: 14th June 2000

Set number: 121029

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

Date: 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.

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.

Date: 17th December 2009

Set number: 960302

The two Severn Tunnel emergency units 977975 (set 960302, ex-55027) and 977976 (set 960303, ex-55031) at Cardiff Canton on December 17, 2009. They are both withdrawn and are used as source of spares for the 121 unit that runs on the Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay line. Alex Drennan.

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