• Shunter
    • 01/5
    • 03
    • 08
    • 09
    • 18
    • 97/6
  • Diesel Loco
    • 19
    • 20
    • 21
    • 31
    • 33
    • 37
    • 40
    • 43
    • 45
    • 47
    • 50
    • 52
    • 55
    • 56
    • 57
    • 58
    • 59
    • 60
    • 66
    • 67
    • 68
    • 69
    • 70
  • Electric Loco
    • 73
    • 86
    • 87
    • 88
    • 89
    • 90
    • 91
    • 92
  • Multi-Mode Loco
    • 93
    • 99
  • Diesel Unit
    • 121
    • 139
    • 141
    • 142
    • 143
    • 144
    • 150
    • 151
    • 153
    • 155
    • 156
    • 158
    • 159
    • 165
    • 166
    • 168
    • 170
    • 171
    • 172
    • 175
    • 180
    • 185
    • 195
    • 196
    • 197
    • 220
    • 221
    • 222
    • 230
    • 231
    • Dept
  • Electric Unit
    • 313
    • 314
    • 315
    • 316
    • 317
    • 318
    • 319
    • 320
    • 321
    • 322
    • 323
    • 325
    • 331
    • 332
    • 333
    • 334
    • 345
    • 350
    • 357
    • 360
    • 365
    • 375
    • 376
    • 377
    • 378
    • 379
    • 380
    • 385
    • 387
    • 390
    • 395
    • 397
    • 398
    • 399
    • 421
    • 423
    • 442
    • 444
    • 450
    • 455
    • 456
    • 458
    • 460
    • 465
    • 466
    • 483
    • 484
    • 507
    • 508
    • 614
    • 700
    • 701
    • 707
    • 710
    • 717
    • 720
    • 730/0
    • 745
    • 755
    • 756
    • 768
    • 769
    • 777
    • 799
    • 800
    • 801
    • 802
    • 803
    • 805
    • 807
    • 810
  • DVT
    • DBSO
    • DVT3
    • DVT4

    UK: Diesel Unit: 121

    Diesel Unit

    Class 121 Pressed Steel Bubble Car

    The British Rail Class 121 is a single-car double-ended diesel multiple unit. 16 driving motor vehicles were built from 1960, numbered 55020–55035. These were supplemented by ten single-ended trailer vehicles, numbered 56280–56289 (later renumbered 54280–54289). They have a top speed of 70 mph, with slam-doors, and vacuum brakes. The driving motor vehicles were nicknamed "Bubble Cars" by some enthusiasts (a nickname endorsed and made official by final passenger service operator Chiltern Railways).

    The Class 121 is Britain's longest serving DMU, operating in passenger service for 57 years until 2017.

    14 vehicles have been preserved

    Gauge 1435mm
    Builder Pressed Steel
    Max Speed 70mph
    Introduced 1960
    Length 19660mm
    Width 2820mm
    Height 3760mm
    Weight 38t / 29.8t (Trailer)
    Engine Leyland 1595 X2
    Transmission Diesel Mechanical
    Power 112kW X2
    Wheel Arrangement Bo-Bo

    Photo: John J Cordrey

    Number Altnumber Status Formation Note Livery Depot Base Owner RHRP In Service
    121020 977722   55020   960002   L120   P 55020 DMBS CRB PR Bodmin & Wenford Railway PRE CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=16099 Sep-60 UKP/121 UK70/121
    121034 977828   55034   W55034   P 55034 DMBS GRN PR Cholsey & Wallingford Railway LSL CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=3050 Jan-61 UKP/121 UK70/121