Let's hear it for the Bubble cars!

[dibber25]

The Class 121s and 122s have been my favourite trains ever since I encountered W55021, on my first trip from Staines West up to West Drayton for a day's train spotting at Iver. Now, on May 19 2017 after 57 years, the last two (Nos 55020/34) will be taken out of service following their evening rush hour runs between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough. They are the longest serving of any trains from the BR era. It was through those single unit railcars (I never liked the term Bubble cars) that I came to love both GWR branch lines and one-coach diesel trains. I can't be there today, so I went last week for one last ride. Here are my first and last 121 in service photos. Who else has fond memories of these great trains?

[loickebros]

Where was the first picture taken Chris?

Dave

[Martino]

I thought these to be the true successors to the GW railcars, both the flying bananas and the more angular 40's versions. Probably also the successors to the auto trains (14xx and auto trailer) and the steam railcars.

[Oldddudders]

Single unit railcars have a certain something. Their very self-contained nature is appealing. Almost 20 years ago I was sent to work for the then-new Silverlink Trains, who had a couple of these, typically working the Marston Vale route. Lima produced a couple of reasonable facsimiles of the livery for their contemporary model, too, so I bought them both. I got to know the young woman who managed the rolling stock leases, and we remain in occasional contact. Silverlink's Bletchley Depot 08 was named after her, and I have one of those from Lima, too. Mine, and hers, actually have 'Catherine' nameplates, procured by her then-boyfriend.

 

I also have about 20 HO French single unit railcars. Picassos, ABJs, Mobylettes, FNCs.......

[chrisf]

I remember their cousins, the 122s, working between Ealing Broadway and Greenford when new in 1958.  I also recall a 121 coming into Paddington soon after the Greenford service had been extended beyond Ealing.  The way it rocked and rolled over the pointwork may have made those on board, if there were any, fear that the car would overturn.

 

Oh, and the droplights rattled.  Boy did they rattle.

 

Chris

[Pannier Tank]

 Who else has fond memories of these great trains?

 

I have fond memories of the Single Railcar, although of a different type, mainly M79900 & M79901. I travelled on the last Buckingham to Bletchley train on 7th September 1964

[phil_sutters]

A nice holiday scene -  the lanky youth, under the WAY OUT sign is me, in a very un-way out gaberdine school mack  and one of my sisters is next to me. Strangely the bearded guy on the train looks scarily like I did in the late '60s!

The old tail lamp looks odd on a railcar. Were they still oil burning in those days or had they had battery units inserted, as the shape was stlll the same?

Edited May 19, 2017 by phil_sutters

[dibber25]

Where was the first picture taken Chris?

Dave

It was taken at Staines West. That was the view as you walked out of the 'booking hall'. The train is standing in what was once the elaborately laid-out front garden of the house.

ChrisF's comment about rattling droplights is a timely reminder. The drivers used to rev the engines just before departure, creating a huge pall of dark grey smoke, the engine noise almost overpowered by the rattling of droplights. 

On the Staines branch they were certainly the true successors to the autotrains (54XX and 14XX were used) and also GWR railcars which came to the branch during a shortage of footplatemen. The 122s arrived in 1958, displacing the GWR cars to Worcester and the 121s came in 1960, displacing the 122s to Worcester, where they in turn cascaded the GWR cars to withdrawal. (CJL)

Here's a shot (taken by the local paper's photographer) when the Gloucesters were brand new in 1958. This is at Poyle Halt for Stanwell Moor - a wonderful rural branch line spot. I once took a photo there and looked down to realise I was standing with my feet either side of a coiled grass snake. Today, the site of Poyle Halt is under Junction 14 of the M25!

[dibber25]

A nice holiday scene -  the lanky youth, under the WAY OUT sign is me, in a very un-way out gaberdine school mack  and one of my sisters is next to me. Strangely the bearded guy on the train looks scarily like I did in the late '60s!

BR single diesel railcar Summer 1962.jpg

The old tail lamp looks odd on a railcar. Were they still oil burning in those days or had they had battery units inserted, as the shape was stlll the same?

They remained oil burning till the end. It took BR a long time to learn to trust electricity! I had the spare one from the cupboard under the stairs at Staines West for a long time. I disposed of it a couple of years ago to a colleague. One of the many changes carried out by Chiltern on the two surviving cars was to fit the marker lights (always dim and a bit pointless) with LEDs which are really bright. (CJL)

[chrisf]

... the 121s came in 1960, displacing the 122s to Worcester, where they in turn cascaded the GWR cars to withdrawal. (CJL)

 

At least some of the London area's 122s went to the West Country, as can be seen by the photo of one at Brixham.  That particular car appears not to have a destination blind but, oddly, I have never seen a photograph of one displaying 'Brixham'.  Maybe closure proposals were more advanced than was realised at the time?

 

Chris

[Oldddudders]

They remained oil burning till the end. It took BR a long time to learn to trust electricity! 

 

I think Southern Region EMUs were only permitted to display red roller blinds in lieu of a tail-lamp from about 1963, when a General Appendix instruction was issued. And even then of course it was only units with batteries. 

[bubbles2]

Back in 1989 or 90 the Plymouth  Model Railway Exhibition at the Guildhall was a 3 day event opening on Friday afternoon. My nearest national railway station is Bodmin Parkway (although over 19 miles distant from home) but the fare from Par to Plymouth is the same as from Bodmin, so to get the maximum journey time for my money I drove to Par, parked up (no charge in the railway car park then).

 

The local train to Plymouth turned out to be a single car DMU and was the train home for many school children so it was full of young boisterous things no doubt looking forward to the weekend, there was no chance of a seat at the window end but sat in the middle of the car I enjoyed the trundle through Cornwall stopping all stations and gradually emptying of children, and of course the grand crossing over the Tamar across Brunel's famous Royal Albert Bridge.

 

After the exhibition and clutching my brown paper bag containing a healthy selection of Colin Ashby, Mail Coach and Ian Kirk kits I returned to North Road Station and jumped on the first west bound HST only to find we sailed through Par without stopping. On arrival at St Austell I crossed the bridge to the up platform to find a sprinter 150 or 153 unit with the doors open so jumping on I found I was the only passenger on board, both the crew looked back from the cab seemingly in astonishment to see someone board their train, but no ticket was asked for (which was just as well!) and I was duly deposited at Par branch platform to regain my road transport.

 

I think this train back to Par would have been the Falmouth branch train returning to St Blazey for servicing having worked the branch all day, I still wonder if it was a public service train.

 

Sadly I took no photos on the day described above, I'm not sure why but below are a few of my single car DMU snaps fom my Fickr site.  

 

[/url]Double bubble at Plymouth North Road. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://Double bubble at Plymouth North Road. by

[/url]Double bubble at Plymouth North Road. by mailrail, on Flickr">mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]Double bubble at Plymouth North Road. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://Double bubble at Plymouth North Road. by mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]Par summer 91. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://Par summer 91. by mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]A single car DMU descends towards Coombe Junction from Liskard on the Looe branch, Sept 1983. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://A single car DMU descends towards Coombe Junction from Liskard on the Looe branch, Sept 1983. by mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]Terras Crossing, Looe branch, Cornwall by mailrail, on Flickr">http://Terras Crossing, Looe branch, Cornwall by mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]A single car DMU heads away from the camera towards Looe, from Terras crossing, Sept 83. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://A single car DMU heads away from the camera towards Looe, from Terras crossing, Sept 83. by mailrail, on Flickr

 

[/url]Class 50 with a down passenger service and single car dmu at Newbury, Nov 1975. by mailrail, on Flickr">http://Class 50 with a down passenger service and single car dmu at Newbury, Nov 1975. by mailrail, on Flickr

Edited May 19, 2017 by bubbles2

[DavidB]

As someone who is Thames Valley born and bred, they are favourite trains for me too Chris.  I've had a couple of cab rides in Pressed Steels, courtesy of friendly drivers.  The first was from Bridport to Maiden Newton when I was 7 - I remember it as a gently-rocking slow-motion stroll through some truly beautiful sunlit Dorset countryside, with the chatty driver telling my brother and me how the unit was outstationed at Westbury during the week. When a beautifully preserved lined green 122 was based at the Mid Hants some years ago (was it W55003?), I took my young son over specially so he could experience a similar 25mph up hill and down dale trundle on jointed track - just lovely! 

 

The second cab ride was a full speed non-stop run from Didcot to Oxford on one of Reading's well-maintained single units that worked a main line diagram all day between Didcot and Banbury in the early 80s.  I had to head back into the saloon as we rolled round Cemetery Curve into Oxford station, to avoid being seen by anyone in authority.  The Saturday version of that diagram had a 121 trailer added, to cater for shoppers heading into Oxford from the Cherwell Valley stations - the difference in performance was very pronounced, with the speed topping out at just over 50mph on the 'fast' run to Didcot.

 

Was it me, or did the single units rock and sway more than their 117 cousins, presumably due to the lack of any gangways to dampen the rolling?

 

Lovely machines - I've made models of them over the years in N, OO and O gauge, and more recently I couldn't resist buying the Gauge 3 kit from Garden Railway Specialists.  When I eventually get round to making it up, it's going to bring back all sorts of memories as it trundles through my garden.

 

David

[The Stationmaster]

I always liked the Pressed Steel cars - for some reason (perhaps the headcode box and the flared exhaust pipes as well as the darker green lined livery?) they always seemed more visually impressive than the Gloucester cars they replaced on our branch and the seats were probably a bit comfier too (better springing?).

 

Strangely (to some ears) to us operationally they were always known as SPCs (Single Power Cars) to distinguish them from the 3 car sets which also contained an MBS and they were described as SPC in many official documents.  The term 'bubble car' seems to have come about much later although it might have originated in one area and gradually spread over the years - we definitely didn't use it to describe them back in the 1960s and '70s - and like Chris it's a term I've never over much liked.

 

Of course as they aged the droplights began to rattle more frequently, the seat cushions got worn, and they simply became old but for me they have never really lost their character which has always struck me as being that of the true descendants of the GWR railmotor /motor train/diesel car tradition and chain of gradual updating and progression.  Fortunately over the years I experienced most of those on our branch from the motor(auto) train onwards through GWR railcars to Gloucester and then Pressed Steel SPC - another piece of railway history I'll miss as the anodyne electric boxes on wheels spread further and further (but locally we will keep Class 165 units - the final piece in that railcar history).

[chrisf]

In the carriage working programme for London in summer 1961 they were known as 'single power units' and if they were really good they worked with a 'drive end trailer'.  The Paddington station working book used the term 'single power car'.  This conforms with Chrisf's first law of government, which states that things are not the same if they do not have to be.

 

Chris 

[Co-tr-Paul]

Bristol 1980s had 121s 30 and 31 (I think) then 26 for the Severn Beach line so was always known as " Beach Buggies ". Must say my Limby 121 is one of my best performers esp for the garden line.

[Rivercider]

Bristol 1980s had 121s 30 and 31 (I think) then 26 for the Severn Beach line so was always known as " Beach Buggies ". Must say my Limby 121 is one of my best performers esp for the garden line.

In 1980 the two sets allocated to Bristol for the Severn Beach line were 55032 and 55033, though I only recall them being referred to as single power cars at the time.

 

In 1980 55033 had an altercation with the stop blocks at Severn Beach and was stored out of service for a while before repair,

i believe this accounts for different style ends on this unit,

 

cheers

[Swindon 123]

A nice holiday scene -  the lanky youth, under the WAY OUT sign is me, in a very un-way out gaberdine school mack  and one of my sisters is next to me. Strangely the bearded guy on the train looks scarily like I did in the late '60s!

BR single diesel railcar Summer 1962.jpg

The old tail lamp looks odd on a railcar. Were they still oil burning in those days or had they had battery units inserted, as the shape was stlll the same?

 

 

They remained oil burning till the end. It took BR a long time to learn to trust electricity! I had the spare one from the cupboard under the stairs at Staines West for a long time. I disposed of it a couple of years ago to a colleague. One of the many changes carried out by Chiltern on the two surviving cars was to fit the marker lights (always dim and a bit pointless) with LEDs which are really bright. (CJL)

When the DMU fleet was being refurbished at the end of the 1970's into the White/Blue livery, later Blue/Grey, they started fitting electric tail lamps and the necessary switches and wiring to illuminate them. That was when the use of tail lamps on DMU's started to be phased out, but they could still be found in use until around 1982/3, when they finally got around to fitting all DMUs with electric tail lights. We had stopped using them by the time i learnt them in 1985.

Paul J.

[Co-tr-Paul]

In 1980 the two sets allocated to Bristol for the Severn Beach line were 55032 and 55033, though I only recall them being referred to as single power cars at the time.

 

In 1980 55033 had an altercation with the stop blocks at Severn Beach and was stored out of service for a while before repair,

i believe this accounts for different style ends on this unit,

 

cheers

I was close ! Going from memory rather than records. Missed my many.

[coachmann]

You want to hear it for Bubble Cars?  Singularly boring like a Class 153. 

[DavidB]

You had to know them to love them Larry - I don't think they were too common in Oldham and Abergele!

 

David

[dibber25]

As someone who is Thames Valley born and bred, they are favourite trains for me too Chris.  I've had a couple of cab rides in Pressed Steels, courtesy of friendly drivers.  The first was from Bridport to Maiden Newton when I was 7 - I remember it as a gently-rocking slow-motion stroll through some truly beautiful sunlit Dorset countryside, with the chatty driver telling my brother and me how the unit was outstationed at Westbury during the week. When a beautifully preserved lined green 122 was based at the Mid Hants some years ago (was it W55003?), I took my young son over specially so he could experience a similar 25mph up hill and down dale trundle on jointed track - just lovely! 

 

The second cab ride was a full speed non-stop run from Didcot to Oxford on one of Reading's well-maintained single units that worked a main line diagram all day between Didcot and Banbury in the early 80s.  I had to head back into the saloon as we rolled round Cemetery Curve into Oxford station, to avoid being seen by anyone in authority.  The Saturday version of that diagram had a 121 trailer added, to cater for shoppers heading into Oxford from the Cherwell Valley stations - the difference in performance was very pronounced, with the speed topping out at just over 50mph on the 'fast' run to Didcot.

 

Was it me, or did the single units rock and sway more than their 117 cousins, presumably due to the lack of any gangways to dampen the rolling?

 

Lovely machines - I've made models of them over the years in N, OO and O gauge, and more recently I couldn't resist buying the Gauge 3 kit from Garden Railway Specialists.  When I eventually get round to making it up, it's going to bring back all sorts of memories as it trundles through my garden.

 

David

Mostly my bubble car collection. Top left back: Anbrico - hand made, cost me £9 in the late 1960s - I described it in print as 'expensive' and upset Alan Colbeck. The rest are Lima - some with my cast ends, except for the SWT one which is a Hornby- Dave Lowery repaint which was a gift from my Model Rail colleagues. Front are two Dapols, an N gauge with sound fitted by Trains4U and Dapol's own livery sample of the new OO model which has been loaned for review. I also have a Westdale O gauge 121 which needs completing and a Tower Brass 122 which is still in its raw, as received state. (CJL)

[DavidB]

You're clearly a man of good taste Chris! What a cracking collection.

 

David

[roundhouse]

I very nearly went to Princess Risborough today as it was POETS but without my camera I decided not to in the end.

 

However I did travel on the blue one just before Chrsitmas last year.

 

A shot taken at Little Kimble on the last one of the morning peak run.

 

[Andy Kirkham]

A few from my album:

 

APR 71 03. Birmingham Snow Hill, April 1971 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

Montpelier, October 1970 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

A single car emerges from Clifton Down Tunnel and is about to enter the station, 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

Severn Beach Station in 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

AG 3839. A single unit from Severn Beach enters St Andrews Rd. January 1974. by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

APR 72 13. Avonmouth Dock station, March or April 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

At the Horseshoe Bend between Shirehampton and Sea Mills, June 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

JUN 74 18. A Severn Beach-Temple Meads service calls at Lawrence Hill, June 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

MAY 74 13. The Looe branch platform at Liskeard, April 20  1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

MAY 74 14. Looe station, April 20 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

MAY 74 15. The Looe branch platform at Liskeard, April 20 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

 

OCT 74B 14. The 12:52 Bridport branch train leaves Maiden Newton, September 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr