55005 Class 122 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Battlefield Line	Location History	Battlefield Line Dec 92-Present
Current Location	Battlefield Line
Current Status	Operational	Visited Railways	Llangollen Railway Jun 13
Current Livery	BR Blue
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	51131 (if required for extra capacity)
Owner	Battlefield Line DMU Group
Website	None
Record Last Updated	16 September 2023
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 55005 became the first single unit "bubble car" to enter preservation in 1992 after being withdrawn from Plymouth Laira depot in May that year. It is thought that little restoration was required and that the vehicle entered service relatively quickly. Various circumstances resulted in the Battlefield's DMU fleet being rationalised to one 2-car set and one single unit during the 1990's. 55005 was one of the vehicles selected to remain. The vehicle was repainted into BR Green with speed whiskers. Shortly after 2006, 55005 was withdrawn for major bodywork repairs in the cab and guards van area, which is a known weak spot for vehicles of this type. In October 2011, 55005 emerged from the shed at Shackerstone, and re-entered service resplendant in BR Blue & Grey livery, becoming the only single unit to carry this colour scheme in preservation. The vehicle replaced Class 116 DMBS 51131so could operate either in multple with Class 118 DMS W51321 or alone depending on traffic requirements. June 2013 saw 55005 become the star visitor at the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala. One highlight was 55005 operating with fellow Blue & Grey liveried Class 108 51907/54490 in multiple. Between 2011 & 2017, 55005 operated all of the Battlefield's railcar services while other vehicles receive overhaul work. On occasions, where extra capacity was required, 55005 could be found running with Class 118 DMS 51321 which was without its own partner at that time. In 2022, with the bodywork in good shape but the paintwork some ten years old, a quick repaint was undertaken. The opportunity was taken for a change with the vehicle emerging in BR Blue. Thus 55005 had now carried all three of its BR liveries again in preservation. 55005 continues to provide motive power for all of the Battlefield Line's railcar services. On occasions, where extra capacity is required, 55005 can be found running with Class 116 DMBS 51131 while Class 118 DMS 51321 is undergoing overhaul.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	SC55005/M51131 in service at Shackerstone, 24/6/23. Jimmy Bee

	55005/M51131 ready for departure from Shenton back to Shackerstone, 7/5/22. Chris Moxon

	M55005/M51131 arrive into Shenton, 30/12/20. Dave Bickley

	M55005 leads Class 116 M51131 into Market Bosworth, 4/7/19. Paul Weston

	M55005 leads Class 116 M51131 into Shenton, 4/7/19. Paul Weston

	M55005 & Class 116 M51131 operating services, awaiting departure from Shackerstone, 22/4/18. Mark Miller

	M55005 upon arrival at Shenton, 25/7/17. Kyle Baldwin

	M55005 awaiting departure at Shackerstone, 5/9/15. Jonathan Hulse

	M55005 after a day's services at Shackerstone, 20/8/14. Alan Pitt

	M55005 arrives into Market Bosworth, 17/7/13. Chris Moxon

	M55005, a 1958 built machine, poses alongside a 1966 built machine at Shenton, 17/7/13. Chris Moxon

	M55005 heads for Shackerstone passing King's Bridge, 17/7/13. Chris Moxon

	M55005 on the Llangollen Railway whilst visiting for their Railcar Gala, 22/6/13. Chris Moxon

	M55005 & W51321 at Shenton, operating services following the cancellation of the line's diesel gala, 11/11/12. Lee Pacey

	M55005 gleams in the sun at Shackerstone on a test run, 22/10/11. Richie Marcus

	M55005 at Shackerstone on a test run, 22/10/11. Richie Marcus

	M55005 on a test run, 22/10/11. Richie Marcus

	M55005 emerges from the shed following at least two years of bodywork repairs. The bubble car becomes the only single unit to currently carry BR Blue & Grey livery in preservation, 18/10/11. Richie Marcus

	W55005 at Shenton during the 2006 Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

	W55005 arrives into Shenton carrying a tail load during the 2006 Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

	W55005 runs round its tail load at Shenton during the 2006 Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

	W55005 at Shackerstone, 10/7/04. Graham Turner

	W55005 at Shackerstone, 10/7/04. Graham Turner

	W55005 at Shackerstone, 10/7/04. Graham Turner

	W55005 at Shenton, 13/9/03. Keith Long

	55005 in the shed at the Battlefield Railway, 2/2/99. Stuart Mackay

	55005 during its first year of preservation, in the sidings at Shackerstone, 4/93. Chris Lings

Interior

The drivers cab of W55005 at Shackerstone, 10/7/04. Graham Turner