Class 121 'Bubble Car' Profile and Models

Class 121 'Bubble Car'

121034 at Didcot Railway Centre in May 2011. ©Andrew Bone

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 Remarkably, they have the honour of being Britain's longest serving DMU, having only been fully withdrawn in 2017.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.

(Information Provided by Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

Single-Car Diesel Multiple Unit

Builder

Pressed Steel Company

Build Dates

1960 to 1961

Total Built

16

Power Output

300 hp
(2 x 150hp AEC or Leyland engines)

Top Speed

70 mph

Passenger Capacity

65

Operated By

Arriva Trains Wales
British Rail
Chiltern Railways
Silverlink
Network Rail
Railtrack

Main Duties

Local Passenger

In Service Until

2017

Surviving Units

15

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
N Gauge BH Enterprises DMU2BH Class 121 Pressed Steel single unit and trailer RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set DMU2BH
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Class 121 Pressed Steel single unit and trailer Awaiting Categorisation