55033 Class 121 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Colne Valley Railway

Location History

Colne Valley RailwayNov 95-Present

Current Location

Colne Valley Railway

 

 

Current Status

Operational

Visited Railways

East Kent Railway Sep 96-Apr 97

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers & Half Yellow Panel)

 

Private Site: St Leonards Apr 97-Jun 97

TRA Designation

4

 

Ilford Works Sep 18-Oct 18

Partner Vehicle(s)

56287

 

Epping Ongar Railway Oct 18

Owner

Pressed Steel Heritage Ltd

 

 

Website

None

   

Record Last Updated

1 April 2024

   

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
55033, notable as the last bubble car to work over the Bridport Branch in Dorset, was purchased from Tyseley in late 1995. It went first to the Colne Valley Railway but was loaned to the East Kent Railway for a few months still in its original Midline Livery. From there it was moved to St Leonards where some bodywork repairs were carried out and it was then repainted into BR Green when it was transferred back to the Colne Valley Railway.

During the 2000's vehicle ran for every year that it had been in preservation and proved to be a reliable unit., paired with its sister Class 121 trailer car 56287 on busy days at the Colne Valley Railway. Whilst there the interior and cabs were restored with new Formica. The original tungsten lighting was also restored and the seating reupholstered. Mechanically, 55033 received both engine and gearbox changes.

In 2018, after a period of 20 years, 55033 was on the move again, this time to Ilford Works for a brief stay over a couple of days for tyre turning. After the work was completed, the vehicle was able to continue to the Epping Ongar Railway where it was the star vistor for the 2018 Railcar Association Convention before returning to its home at the Colne Valley.

Future Plans
The owners plan to undertake a repaint to 55033 in the near future.

 

W55033 running during Santa season, 16/12/23. Lewis Vince

   

W55033 working in multiple with the newly arrived Class 117 set at Castle Headingham, 29/5/21. Paul Hughes

   

W55033 back in service at the Colne Valley, operating driver training trips, 23/7/20. Neil Bunt

   

W55033 calls at the normally closed Blake Hall station during a driver experience trip at the Epping Ongar Railway, where W55033 was visiting, 5/10/18. Chris Moxon

   

W55033 on a turn around at Ongar station, during a driver experience trip at the Epping Ongar Railway, where W55033 was visiting, 5/10/18. Chris Moxon

   

W55033 in service at Castle Headingham. 26/5/18. Paul Hughes

   

W55033 sidelined at Castle Headlingham following a horn fault (photo taken with permission), 28/4/18. Richard Moxon

   

W55033 operating services at Castle Headlingham, 8/8/17. Paul Hughes

   

W55033 at Castle Headingham, 1/3/15. Neil Bunt

   

W55033 stabled at Castle Headingham, 9/13.Neil Bunt

   

W55033 stabled at Castle Headingham, 12/9/10. David Beardmore

   

W55033 in service at Castle Headingham, 28/3/10. Andy Neil

   

W55033 stabled, 29/8/12. Nigel Gould

   

55033 & 56287in the rain at Castle Headingham, Colne Valley Railway, during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 26/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

55033 coupled to 121 DTS 56287, in original fashion at Castle Headingham, Colne Valley Railway, during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 26/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

55033 arriving into Castle Headingham, Colne Valley Railway, during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

55033 & 56287 at Castle Headingham, Colne Valley Railway, during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

55033 & 56287 at Castle Headingham, Colne Valley Railway, during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

View of 55033's underframe during the 2008 Railcar Convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

55033 at Castle Headingham at the end of the days services, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

W55033 & W56287 in service at Castle Headingham, 2005. Wibble45

   

Class 121 W55033 in operation on the Colne Valley Railway, 31/5/01. Stuart Mackay

   

W55033 at the Colne Valley Railway, 11/10/99. David McGuire

   

55033 shortly after arrival at the Colne Valley, 1996. Neil Bunt

   

55033 in service at the East Kent Railway, 1996. Neil Bunt

 

Interior

 

55033's nicely reupholstered seating, 26/5/18. Paul Hughes

   

New lino has been fitted, and seat frames are in the process of being refitted, 23/5/16. Neil Bunt

   

Cab view (No1 end) of 55033 (driver's side), 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

Cab view (No2 end) of 55033 (driver's side), 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

The front saloon looking forwards towards the cab, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

The rear saloon looking towards the cab of the vehicle, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

   

The refurbished guards van, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon