British Rail Class 122

The British Rail Class 122 diesel mechanical multiple units were built by Gloucester RC&W in 1958. Twenty single-car, double-ended driving motor vehicles, nicknamed "Bubble Cars", were built, numbered 55000–55019. These were supplemented by nine single-ended trailer vehicles, numbered 56291–56299[1] (some of which were later renumbered into the 54291–54299 block).

British Rail Class 122 Bubble Car
Class 122, no. 55006, at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway on 15 October 2004, whilst taking part in the Railcar 50 event. This unit is painted in the second version of BR Green livery, and is preserved on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Interior of W55000 on the South Devon Railway
In service1958–1995
ManufacturerGloucester RC&W
Family nameFirst generation
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Number built20 motor, 9 trailer
Number preservedDMBS: 8
FormationSingle car
Diagram
  • DMBS: 539
  • DTS: 538
Fleet numbers
  • DMBS: 55000–55019
  • DTS: 56291–56299
Capacity
  • DMBS: 65
  • DTS 95
Operator(s)British Rail
Depot(s)
Line(s) servedAylesbury–Princes Risborough line
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length64 ft 0 1⁄2 in (19.52 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height12 ft 8 1⁄8 in (3.86 m)
DoorsSlam
Articulated sectionsSingle car (2)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight
  • DMBS: 36.00 long tons (80,640 lb; 36.58 t)
  • DTS: 29.00 long tons (64,960 lb; 29.47 t)
Prime mover(s)Two BUT (AEC) then BUT (Leyland) of 150 hp (110 kW) (both types)
Power output300 hp (220 kW)
TransmissionStandard mechanical
Safety system(s)AWS
Multiple working■ Blue Square
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

Initial use

The Class 122s were built mainly for use on the London Midland Region of British Rail, although some were also used in Scotland. They were used on a variety of lightly used lines, many of which were closed during the Beeching Axe in the 1960s. Routes served included the Stourbridge Town and St Albans Abbey branch lines, as well as local services between Dundee and Arbroath. (The similar Pressed Steel Company built Class 121 single units were used on the Western Region).

Table of orders and numbers
Lot No.TypeDiagramQtyFleet numbersNotes
30419Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5392055000–55019
30420Driving Trailer Second (DTS)538956291–56299

Parcels use

Three Scottish Region cars (55013–55015) were converted to carry parcels traffic[2] and were reclassified Class 131, though the vehicles themselves were not renumbered.

Usage after passenger service

Upon privatisation of Britain's railways, the Class 122 fleet has been withdrawn from normal service. However several units were operated by EWS and Network Rail (previously Railtrack) in departmental service, reclassified as Class 960.

numberformer numberusedisposal/current usecut up date
TDB 97502355001Route learning carPreserved
TDB 97504255019Route learning car / SanditeStored on the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr railway in Cynheidre, Carmarthenshire, set 960 015 / 55019 has now entered Preservation
TDB 97522755017Route learning carVic Berry2/89
97530955008Route learning carMayer Newman11/84
TDB 97531055010Route learning carMayer Newman6/84
TDB 97554055016Route learning carMC Metals7/93
TDB 97599455014Test & stores carVic Berry10/88
97599855013unknownMayer Newman3/82
TDB 97717755015Route learning carMC Metals7/90
TDB 97722355007Route learning carMC Metals6/91
97794155012Route learnerLoadhaul then EWS. Stored non-operational at Thornaby TMD from 1998. Purchased privately for preservation in 2009

Preservation

"Bubble Cars" have proved popular for preservation on heritage railways.

Vehicle no. Unit no. Vehicle type Location Livery Comments
Original no. Departmental no.
55000 - 122100 DMBS South Devon Railway BR Green -
55001 975023 L101 DMBS East Lancashire Railway BR Blue -
55003 - P103 DMBS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway used to be Mid Hants Railway. BR Green First preserved DMMU to gain main line certification.
55005 - P105 DMBS Battlefield Railway BR Blue/Grey -
55006 - P106 DMBS Ecclesbourne Valley Railway BR Green Collided with the buffers at the Stourbridge Town terminus of the Stourbridge Town branch line on 21 April 1989 after the driver was distracted by trespassers.[3]
55009 - P109 DMBS Mid Norfolk Railway BR Green Non operational
55012 977941 DMBS Weardale Railway BR Green Joined the fleet on a permanent basis in December 2013 after visiting for contract repairs Took part in Railcar 50 in 2004. Required a modification back to single car unit after this D.M.B.S collided into the Stourbridge Town station buffer on 2 April 1977[3] due to the driver's fault while working on the Stourbridge Town branch line so the one end is not the end which was surviving from the beginning. The rear end was scrapped.
55019 975042 960015 DMBS Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway Network Rail Yellow Formerly owned by Network Rail, W55019. It is also the 8th and last Class 122 brought into preservation.

Models

Dapol has released models of the class 122 railcar in both O gauge and OO gauge in a variety of liveries.[4]

References
  1. Butcher, Roger (November 1993). Departmental Coaching Stock (5th ed.). Southampton: South Coast Transport Publishing. pp. 60, 75. ISBN 1-872768-10-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Motive power miscellany". Railway World. Vol. 32 no. 376. Shepperton: Ian Allan. September 1971. p. 418.
  3. Butcher, Clive (1998). The Railways of Stourbridge. Usk: Oakwood Press. pp. 175–181. ISBN 0-85361-533-0.
  4. http://www.hornbymagazine.com/2016/12/02/blog-warley-highlights/dsc_7589_lr/
  • Entry at the Railcar Association for class 122
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