British Rail Class 122
class of single-car diesel multiple units
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 (some of which were later renumbered into the 54291–54299 block).
Construction
Operation
The Class 122s were built for use on the Western Region of British Railways, the initial allocations being: 81D Reading – three DMBS; 81C Southall – nine DMBS and six DTS; 84E Tyseley – eight DMBS and three DTS. Eleven DMBS and five DTS that were allocated to Tyseley depot passed to the London Midland Region when the regional boundaries were changed in 1963; some were subsequently 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 including the ex-LSWR lines in West Devon and North Cornwall. 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 also used on the Western Region).
During the 1990s, refurbished Class 122 units were used on the Cornish branches between Liskeard and Looe and St Erth and St Ives.
Parcels conversion
In 1968, three cars (55013–55015) were converted for use on the Scottish Region to carry parcels traffic and were reclassified Class 131, though the vehicles themselves were not renumbered. The converted vehicles were given the TOPS classification DXV.
Usage after passenger service
Upon privatisation of Britain's railways, the Class 122 fleet has been withdrawn from normal service.
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