Class 121 'Bubble Car' Profile and Models
121034 at Didcot Railway Centre in May 2011. ©Andrew Bone
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Built between 1960 and 1961, a total of 16 Class 121 single car DMUs were built by Pressed Steel for use on the Western Region of British Rail. Featuring slam-doors, vacuum brakes and a top speed of 70mph; the 'Bubble Cars' were used on lightly used branch lines and thanks to their affordability, helped to keep rural services running. Remarkably, they have the honour of being Britain's longest serving DMU, having only been fully withdrawn in 2017. These versatile units have proven to be popular on heritage lines too, with 12 currently preserved. |
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Type of Unit |
Single-Car Diesel Multiple Unit |
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Builder |
Pressed Steel Company |
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Build Dates |
1960 to 1961 |
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Total Built |
16 |
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Power Output |
300 hp (2 x 150hp AEC or Leyland engines) |
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Top Speed |
70 mph |
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Passenger Capacity |
65 |
|
Operated By |
Arriva Trains Wales British Rail Chiltern Railways Silverlink Network Rail Railtrack |
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Main Duties |
Local Passenger |
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In Service Until |
2017 |
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Surviving Units |
15 |
Models Produced
Liveries Produced
GWR chocolate and cream
BR non-standard
BR green with coaching stock roundel
BR chocolate and cream
BR blue
BR blue and grey
NSE - Network SouthEast
Railtrack
Chiltern Railways
SilverLink
Network Rail
Arriva Trains Wales
Awaiting Categorisation
Models Produced
Liveries Produced
BR maroon
Models Produced
Liveries Produced
Products awaiting categorisation
| Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Kitbuilt |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Unpowered |
KB2072 View |
Class 121 in BR green W55033 - built from Tri-ang DMU power car chassis | Awaiting Categorisation |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Modern Traction Kits (MTK) |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Unpowered |
MU7 View |
Class 121 in BR green W55033 | Awaiting Categorisation |
| N Gauge | BH Enterprises |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
DMU2BH View |
Class 121 Pressed Steel single unit and trailer | Awaiting Categorisation |
| N Gauge | Dapol |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
2D-009-DC1 View |
Class 121 Chiltern Green SYP Diesel Locomotive 121034 | |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Dapol |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
7D-009-DCC1D View |
Class 121 W55034 Chiltern Heritage Green Small Yellow Panels DMU - DCC Fitted | |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Dapol |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
7D-009-DCC1S View |
Class 121 W55034 Chiltern Heritage Green Small Yellow Panels DMU - DCC Sound | |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Westdale |
|
Not set | Not set |
C121-WD View |
Class 121/122 'Bubble Car' DMU - brass kit | Awaiting Categorisation |
| Other Scale | Dapol |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
7D-009-DCC1 View |
Class 121 W55034 Chiltern Heritage Green Small Yellow Panels DMU | Awaiting Categorisation |