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Title: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: ChrisB on April 03, 2017, 14:29:50 Richard Clinnick from Rail magazine tweets
Quote May 19 marks the end of 1st generation DMU use on the national network in passenger use. @chilternrailway will withdraw 121020/034. Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: Adelante_CCT on April 03, 2017, 15:12:23 Quote Richard Clinnick from Rail magazine rewets. Don't think Richard will be best pleased with your comment about him :D Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: ChrisB on April 03, 2017, 15:20:05 now edited - thanks!
Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: grahame on April 03, 2017, 21:51:16 From the Bucks Herald (http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/transport/chiltern-railways-line-bubble-cars-set-to-make-their-last-trip-in-may-1-7898034)
Quote The affectionately named ‘Bubble Cars’, that run on the Chiltern Railways line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury, are due to make their last journey on the Chiltern Railways route on Friday 19 May. First brought into service in Britain in 1960, the two heritage class 121 trains were purchased by Chiltern Railways in 2003 and have serviced the 18-minute journey from Princes Risborough to Monks Risborough, Little Kimble and Aylesbury ever since. As single carriage trains, they are recognisable for their small size and open environment allowing customers to see ahead through the front windows of the train. Famed for being the last remaining trains in service that use vacuum brakes, the time has come where the ongoing maintenance of these classic trains is increasing and the decision has been to take them out of service. Both trains will be on sale following their retirement and the number of services running daily across the route will remain unchanged. Matthew Prosser, Engineering Director at Chiltern Railways says: “We will be sad to see these trains go has they are a part of railway history and some customers even make special journeys to travel on them. However, the changes are necessary due to the age of the vehicles and we will ultimately be providing a more comfortable service for our customers.” A small farewell will be held on the last day of the service for the Bubble Cars. Details will be announced in due course. Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: bobm on April 03, 2017, 22:06:39 Used to love hearing the Class 121s on the Henley branch on a Sunday. The exhaust always made a distinctive sound just after moving off.
Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: IndustryInsider on April 04, 2017, 12:17:01 Will be a shame to see them go after nearly 60-years of operation on the national rail network. I must try to get out there for one last trip on them - I would imagine there will be a distinct upturn in passenger numbers over the next six weeks!
I wonder whether we might see a Vivarail D-Train working these shuttles services? Obviously not straight away, as they won't be certified in time, but with Adrian Shooter's Chiltern connection, an alleged order for some of his trains, and the fact the route is absolutely tailor made for the trains does make me wonder if that's the plan. Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: bobm on April 10, 2017, 21:11:45 Took a trip to Princes Risborough to wallow in the nostalgia of my youth.
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121arr.jpg) 121034 arrives into Princes Risborough off the Aylesbury single line. (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121prr.jpg) The unit arrived with Bridgnorth on one destination and Machynlleth on the other (which was then changed to Llangollen) (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121int.jpg) No tables but plenty of legroom! (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121win.jpg) A last chance to look out the front window (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121dep.jpg) On arrival at Aylesbury 121034 went out of service to the depot to be reacquainted with fellow bubble car 121020 Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: IndustryInsider on May 16, 2017, 12:59:49 News of an additional trip throughout this week at 16:39 from Aylesbury (just the existing ECS move to Princes Risborough running in passenger service) and ten additional services plus a ceremony on their last day in service on Friday. Hopes were to run the two units together during Friday - that's not been mentioned in either of the below releases but hopefully it will happen as it will be a great sight and also provide some extra seats as I expect plenty of enthusiasts will be wanting a ride.
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/extra-%E2%80%9Cbubble-car%E2%80%9D-services-scheduled-say-farewell http://www.railstaff.uk/2017/05/16/chiltern-railways-schedule-additional-services-class-121-bubble-cars-retire/ Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: grahame on May 26, 2017, 18:00:55 From the Bucks Free Press
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/15311878.PICTURES__Train_enthusiasts_bid_farewell_to_iconic_Bubble_Cars/ Quote Residents and train enthusiasts flocked to a railway station last week to bid farewell to the iconic Bubble Cars as they went into retirement. Since Chiltern Railways announced plans for the retirement of the heritage Class 121 trains in March, crowds have visited to the line for the chance to enjoy one last ride between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury stations before the Bubble Cars leave the network. After 57 years, the Bubble Cars, which are recognisable for their small size and open environment that allowed customers to see ahead through the front windows of the train, have now secured a place in history as Britain’s longest serving diesel trains. The company scheduled extra services to cater for the influx of passengers on the final day, May 19, which began with a short farewell ceremony officiated by Chiltern’s Managing Director Dave Penney, followed by tea and a slice of an impressive ‘Bubble Car’ cake. The crowd was also treated to the sight of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway’s Bubble Cars, which were brought to the station especially for the event. Dave Penney said: “It is fantastic to see so many people who have come to Princes Risborough today to celebrate the Bubble Cars as they begin the next chapter in their story. They have faithfully served the Chiltern line since 2003 and we are proud to recognise them as part of our rich railway history.” Chiltern Railways is in discussions with several organisations who have shown interest in buying the Bubble Cars and will make sure they go to a good home. Title: Re: Chiltern Bubblecars 121020/121034 withdrawn in May Post by: chrisr_75 on May 26, 2017, 19:09:06 (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/121int.jpg) No tables but plenty of legroom! To me that is almost perfection in a commuter train interior - bright, airy, plenty of seats, doors and windows all in the right places and even quite modern looking :) What a shame we don't make them quite like that anymore! This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |