A British Railways Class 121 diesel multiple unit has returned to service at the Wensleydale Railway after a recent extensive refurbishment.
As part of its refurbishment, the unit underwent extensive maintenance and an overhaul that included the installation of two new engines, and restoration of the interior and seating upholster.
Railway enthusiasts affectionately nicknamed Class 121 diesel multiple units as “bubble cars”, with 16 being built by Pressed Steel at Linwood in Scotland, and are similar to the Class 122 units built by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co.
Wensleydale’s Class 121 No.55032 joined Wensleydale Railway’s heritage diesel fleet in 2015, and in 2021 it received the Railcar of the Year Award from the Railcar Association in 2021.
Passengers can enjoy a journey in the bubble car or the railway’s other diesel multiple units on shuttle services between Leeming Bar and Scruton and on selected trips between Leeming Bar and Leyburn.
Trains are currently running three days per week until the railway’s 2023 running season ends on Wednesday, 1 November, but there will be a special service in connection with the Bedale Community Bonfire & Fireworks event on Saturday 4 November. From Friday, 10 November the ever-popular THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides will provide visitors with a festive experience until Christmas Eve.
The Wensleydale Railway is a volunteer-led heritage railway that provides a service for both the local community and tourists, families, and transport enthusiasts who are looking for a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales.
At 22 miles long the railway is one of the UK’s longest heritage lines, and currently operates heritage diesel train services between Scruton in the Vale of Mowbray and Leyburn on the outskirts of the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is currently working to restore passenger services beyond Leyburn to Redmire.
At its award-winning, restored historic stations, free guided tours are on offer with costumed living history interpreters where visitors can learn more about 1900s railway life.
Nick Keegan, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at the Wensleydale Railway said: “Our bubble car is a much-loved train with our customers. Like our class 143 Pacer, it has comfortable seating and large windows from which to enjoy our railway’s spectacular scenic views. It’s also economical to operate. We’re delighted to have it back in service!”
Responses
Not been in best of health,so never managed to visit this wonderful Line,& trains just like the “bubble car”. Do you have 101 DMU sets also. ?
Love my freight lines,so when heard Redmire Quarry was to close,was saddened,but then lifted by news this line was to re-open as a Passenger Heritage Railway,did get on the line to Okehampton,in the late 90s when ran the special trains,& Heritage Buses to link with the service,so thanks to the campaigners on the S&C,railways,branch lines,loco types,and all the skills & knowledge to run any railway,short or long, miniature, heritage or other, plus of course the tourist & commercial input,and beer festivals & cafes on the routes,plus I’m sure couples getting married on a train,along with Anniversary’s,Retirements and more,has to be of real worth,and pleasure.
Will be keeping my eye out on lines that can now be opened,after HS2 news. Don Valley to/from Stocksbridge,and read that Oswestry to Gobowen,and Leek to Stoke are going to now be opened. In Mid Cheshire,we have the Sandbach to Northwich branch,via Middlewich,but since MMU in Crewe closing,and a lot of work & campaigning being sidelined due to the HS2 Project,will see whether that could now be revisited.
Excuse any errors,just added, without double checking facts,but looks a wonderful line,and along with North Yorkshire Moors Railway,am determined to visit these two wonderful lines,in “God’s County”,plus the odd pub & pie shop ! sometime next year
Henry Gavine