17/10/2017

The end of Chiltern's Bubble

After more than 50 years in service on Britain's mainline railways, the Class 121 unit, have been retired from passenger service. They have been commonly referred to as Bubble cars for their round shape and airy atmosphere, with the ability to be able to see straight out the front through the driver's compartment from the passenger saloon.

Chiltern Railways had two operational units, 121020 in Chiltern blue and 121034 in British Rail green. These saw use during the Monday - Friday peak hour period operating a shuttle between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough as there was not enough available stock to cover the full mainline service and the branch line service. However, faced with ever rising maintenance costs, an influx of new units for the new Oxford services, and clever timetabling, the decision was made to retire these two workhorses without the need for any additional units.


Nearing the end
In the run up to the last day, The Branch Line Society organised a rail tour for the Bubble car which, on Sunday 2nd April 2017, visited a number of places on the Chiltern network which was uncharted territory for the Bubble. The tour visited Marylebone station, the new Bicester chord link, Oxford and the Calvert works near Quainton Road.

121034 at Northolt Park on the Branch Line Society rail tour heading towards London Marylebone
© Tommy Cooling

121034 at London Marylebone
© Tommy Cooling

Last Quaintonian
On Monday 1st May, 121034 provided a shuttle service between Aylesbury and Quainton Road for the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre's May Day bank holiday special event day. Up to twice a year, Chiltern assist the Railway Centre's special events, usually on one May bank holiday and the August bank holiday, the service was not always guaranteed to be the Bubble car, and has in the past been operated by a 2-car 165 DMU. 121034, for the last time, was booked to run on May Day 2017 for the last ever time on the Quaintonian service.

121034 at Quainton Road station
© Tommy Cooling

121034 passes 121020 heading to Quainton Road from Aylesbury.
121020 had been receiving attention at the time in preparation for the last day of the bubbles
© Tommy Cooling

The last day
The last day in service was Friday 19th May 2017, and the Bubble services were withdrawn in the Sunday 21st timetable change. With the recent increase in stock for Chiltern's new Oxford services, enough stock has been made available to cover the Bubble services. That and the huge cost increase to be able to keep the two units up to Mainline passenger condition are no longer viable. During the last week, an empty coach stock working from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough was made into an additional passenger working for those wishing the sample the last of its kind.


On the last day, a special ceremony was held at Princes Risborough for Chiltern's two units, and both were coupled together for the first time. The ceremony included cake and a presentation by Chiltern's Managing Director (MD) with the Mayor of Princes Risborough in attendance. Following this, the two Bubbles formed a series of additional passenger workings to and from Aylesbury within the normal timetable. These trips ran non-stop so not to affect the normal service. A technical failure meant the Bubbles lost one of the special trips during the afternoon, but made this up at the end of the day by replacing a Turbo unit on the last shuttle of the day.

Both of Chiltern's "Bubbles" operated together for the first time on the last day.
55020 and 55034 at Princes Risborough prior to the Class 121 ceremony
© Tommy Cooling

The other end of the duo with 121034
© Tommy Cooling

The Chinnor Railway also brought their two "Bubbles" up to Princes Risborough, to coincide with Chiltern's event perhaps?
Preserved Class 121 units W55023 and W55024 (960010) sit on the Chinnor railway link line
© Tommy Cooling
 

121020 at Princes Risborough with a special
ceremonial cake made just for the occasion
© Tommy Cooling
Class 121 poster in the ticket hall at the station
© Tommy Cooling

 
Close up of the cake, modelled on 121034
© Tommy Cooling

Chiltern's MD Dave Penney addresses the audience with the Mayor of Princes Risborough to kick of the ceremony
© Tommy Cooling

A slice of the [very tasty] chocolate cake
which was handed out to those who wanted it
© Tommy Cooling
Chiltern's MD Dave Penney cuts the cake with the
enthusiastic crowd and plethora of cameras looking on
© Tommy Cooling


The surviving end of the cake after the ceremony showing the detail and precision that went into the bake!
© Tommy Cooling

121034 and 12020 leave Princes Risborough for Aylesbury on the first of the special non-stop trips
© Tommy Cooling

034 (leading) and 020 approaching the Bishopstone/Marsh Lane level crossing heading towards Aylesbury
© Tommy Cooling

And the duo heading away from the same crossing towards Aylesbury with 020 at the rear
© Tommy Cooling


A selection of free chocolates were brought out in
the afternoon with special chocolates for the occasion
© Tommy Cooling



121020 in miniature and full size
© Tommy Cooling
Close-up of the special chocolates
© Tommy Cooling
A model of 121020 on display in front of the real thing at Princes Risborough
© Tommy Cooling

The scene onboard the "Bubble"
© Tommy Cooling
The duo leave Princes Risborough on the first of the afternoon timetabled trips
© Tommy Cooling

The duo arriving back at Princes Risborough
© Tommy Cooling

Interior view of 121020 having run for the final time at Aylesbury
© Tommy Cooling

121020 having finished for the last time
© Tommy Cooling


121034 prepares to run light into the depot at Aylesbury for the last time
© Tommy Cooling


Gone but not forgotten
121034 on display at Old Oak Common depot open day in September 2017
Nearly four months after withdrawal from mainline passenger service, 121034 reappeared as a static "exhibit" at the GWR OOC111 open day
© Tommy Cooling

121020 has been preserved at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, seen here in October 2017
It is planned to be used in service on the heritage railway, but perhaps not one its own! The railway also own a 2-car DMU which this bubble would couple up to.
© Tommy Cooling


Post by Tommy Cooling
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