Hornby R3915

British Rail Class 121 975042 Network Rail Yellow

Contents

Tooling

In 2006 Hornby reintroduced the classic British Rail Class 121 "Bubble Car" by upgrading the earlier Lima-based tooling. This refreshed version maintained the charm of the single-car DMUs originally built between 1959–1961, and built on Hornby's Railroad Plus range, offering improved drive, design robustness, DCC compatibility and fresh liveries to fit modern branch-line layouts.

Reviewers widely regard the Hornby 2006 upgrade as a solid improvement—scoring averages of 6/10 and up. The 5-pole motor garnered praise for its smooth, controlled slow-speed running and reliable acceleration/deceleration, even around tight curves. Detailing was rated "good," particularly glossed glazing and installed cab features, though lacking interior paint and factory-installed lighting. Hobbyists noted absence of sprung buffers and NEM couplings, but welcomed the DCC socket and upgrade-friendly format.

Overall, it's viewed as an ideal platform for enhancements—decoders, lighting, buffer swaps—earning a place in "starter" or "modder-friendly" model sets.

Detailing: Accurately captured details include flush glazing, windscreen wipers, headcode/destination boxes, twin exhaust stacks, and authentically modelled bogie and underframe machinery visible underneath.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 975042

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: Network Rail
  • Livery: Yellow
  • Era: 10 - Franchising