Class 122 Gloucester RC&W Single / 2-car DMUs
Non-Passenger Use
Parcels Class 131s
Tyseley used several of the class for parcels with some / all seats removed, mostly being returned to passenger use. 55007 appears to have been the first in mid-1966, with 55004 noted in 1969 and 55008 in 1971.
The ScR had three vehicles converted to parcels use in the late '60s, 55013/4/5, with at least 55013 still being in green at conversion. They were allocated to Leith Central at least until the early 70s. From Edinburgh they worked on trains to Stirling and Dundee coupled to service DMUs. They also sometimes worked with Metro Cammell or Gloucester twin sets on Kirkcaldy services, although this could have been to provide extra power. The image shows two three-car Met-Camm sets with a Class 131 (presumably 55015 due to the small yellow panel) and a wagon on the rear at Carrick Knowe on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 21/5/71. GM Staddon.
Departmental Use
| Prefix | New | Original | Type | Details | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDB | 975023 | 55001 | DMBS | Route Learner. Erroneously carried number DB975073 until April 1971. | 6/69 | 5/98 |
| TDB / ADB | 975042 | 55019 | DMBS | Route Learner (TDB) then Sandite (ADB) from 8/93 | 11/69 | ? |
| TDB | 975073 | 55001 | DMBS | This number was not allocated to this vehicle, but carried on 975023 by mistake. | ? | ? |
| TDB | 975227 | 55017 | DMBS | Route Learner | 6/72 | 2/89 |
| TDB | 975309 | 55008 | DMBS | Route Learner | 5/74 | 8/82 |
| TDB | 975310 | 55010 | DMBS | Route Learner | 7/74 | 8/82 |
| TDB | 975540 | 55016 | DMBS | Route Learner | 11/75 | 5/93 |
| TDB | 975994 | 55014 | DMBS | Route Learner, Test & Stores car for Class 150 units | 10/80 | 1988 |
| TDB | 975998 | 55013 | DMBS | Route Learner | 12/80 | 1982 |
| TDB | 977177 | 55015 | DMBS | Driver Training / Route Learner. Carried the name "Sandra" | 9/83 | 7/89 |
| TDB | 977223 | 55007 | DMBS | Driver Training / Route Learner / Sandite | 12/83 | 1989 |
| 977941 | 55012 | DMBS | Route Learner for Loadhaul. Allocated 977941 in April 2004 but number never carried. | 10/95 | ? |
975023 (ex-55001) carried set L101 for a time, then the L1 part was painted over leaving it carrying just set number 01. 975042 - which remained was the last vehicle to remain in departmental use - carried the set number 960 015.
The two images show TDB975310 at Skegness in 1975. Peter, Lincolnshire & East Yorkshire Transport Review.
55001 was withdrawn from passenger use in July 1969. It's duties as route learner 975023 took it over the Ealing Tramway on 5/1/83. It becames affectionately known as “Thunderbird 1” during its use as a route learning vehicle at Longsight depot in Manchester, and it moved under its own power on 26th September 2008 on the East Lancashire Railway.