The Wensleydale Railway had a meeting of ‘bubble cars’ recently when David Garner, chairman of the Messerschmitt Owners Club visited the railway. David is also a railway enthusiast and was keen to see and ride on the Wensleydale Railway’s own Class 121 “bubble car” so he brought his own Messerschmitt ‘bubble car’ to ‘meet’ the railway’s ‘bubble car’ at Leeming Bar station.
David is now intending to undertake the Wensleydale Train Driver Training Course.
“When I heard about the Wensleydale Railway “bubble car” from their PR agent, I thought what a great opportunity to put my two interests together and take the Railway’s engine driving course”. Comments David
The Wensleydale Railway “bubble car” no: 55032 was acquired earlier this year and is one of sixteen Class 121 single-car, double-ended driving motor vehicles that 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 now endorsed by current commercial operator Chiltern Railways). The Class 121 is Britain’s longest serving DMU, having been in service for 55 years as of 2015.