Lima L204623

British Rail Class 121 W55028 British Rail Blue & Grey

Contents

Tooling

The Lima OO gauge tooling for the British Rail Class 121 "Bubble Car" dates back to circa 1998, capturing the vintage charm of these single-car DMUs. The tooling replicates the iconic design introduced between 1959–1961 by the Pressed Steel Company. The Class 121 units were primarily used across branch lines, initially in Western Region depots in Cornwall and the Thames Valley before expanding elsewhere.

Model community feedback highlights the tooling's excellent detailing and vintage accuracy, often praising its cab window clarity and body proportions. Performance reviewers typically note the noisy ringfield/pancake motor as an area for upgrade, albeit acknowledging its charming "retro" character. Aftermarket tutorials demonstrate easy conversion to quieter CD motors and fitting of decoder sockets. Video reviews credit its affordability and detailing, though improved smoothness and lighting are common upgrade paths.

Despite its age, this Lima tooling remains popular for modelling early 1960s branch-line operation, often paired with Hornby coaching stock. Models often fetch modest prices today, with "Clearing the Way" and Speed Whiskers variants trending among collectors.

Detailing: Separate moulded parts for cab handrails, exhausts, buffer-beams, and accurately applied glazing. Includes realistic roof-mounted headcode box, wipers, interior cab and footplate, seating with visible partitions, battery boxes, engine pipework, fuel tank, and bufferbeam pipework.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: W55028

The British Rail Class 121 "Bubble Car" single-car DMU operated for 57 years from 1960-2017, making it Britain's longest-serving diesel multiple unit. Built by Pressed Steel Company, just 16 DMBS power cars served Western Region branches including the Greenford shuttle, Henley, Marlow, and Severn Beach line. Distinctive "antler" exhausts curving around illuminated headcode boxes set them apart from similar Class 122 designs. Originally AEC-powered, the fleet was re-engined with Leyland 680 units during 1971-1980. Following privatisation, units worked for Silverlink on the Marston Vale Line before Chiltern Railways' remarkable 2003-2017 renaissance extended their career. Twelve vehicles survive in preservation. Available as models from Bachmann (OO), Dapol (OO/N/O), and Heljan (O gauge) in numerous authentic liveries.

Operator & Livery

  • Operator: British Rail
  • Livery: Blue & Grey
  • Era: 6 - British Rail Blue Pre-TOPS

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.