Chiltern Bubble Car

[Multiple Unit]

Is it still in use ?

Edit: Diagrams as of September 2011 as follows:

New Chiltern bubble car diagram is as follows:

2P81 0750 AYS – PRR
2A10 0816 PRR – AYS
2P82 0850 AYS – PRR
2A16 0924 PRR – AYS
2P83 0950 AYS – PRR
2A18 1024 PRR – AYS

2P89 1550 AYS – PRR
2A42 1624 PRR – AYS
2P90 1653 AYS – PRR
2A47 1716 PRR – AYS
2P92 1820 AYS – PRR
2A52 1850 PRR - AYS

Edit: For the benefit of those who find this topic through Google searches, Current diagrams (regularly updated) can be found on another topic.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

Yes, there are a couple of other threads about it floating around (see here) - it is, however, used only during the morning peak on weekdays (in the link above, you can see the diagrams). Chiltern are having a second bubblecar refurbished, which will apparently be in BR green.

 

[saltley 1394]

Yes, there are a couple of other threads about it floating around (see here) - it is, however, used only during the morning peak on weekdays (in the link above, you can see the diagrams). Chiltern are having a second bubblecar refurbished, which will apparently be in BR green.

The second green bubble cat 121034 is almost ready to roll, should be going out on a test run from Tyseley next week before its move in a week or two to Aylesbury. Here are a few photo's of the it taken this week.

 

[34002salisbury]

nice to see the return of heriatage stock to normal use after the withdrawl of the 3CIGS

 

[strange6]

The second green bubble cat 121034 is almost ready to roll, should be going out on a test run from Tyseley next week before its move in a week or two to Aylesbury. Here are a few photo's of the it taken this week.

What a superb little train! I envy the person who drives that for a living!

 

[JoeGJ1984]

Would there be any chance that they could have some kind of 'launch day' for it where it gets to run a few more services than the weekday morning peak. Yes, it would need a guard, but I would have thought for, say, one Saturday, it would be possible to 'celebrate' its arrival by having it run all day (they did do it for the other bubblecar's 50th birthday last September), as it seems a shame to only use it when not many people would see it.

 

[route:oxford]

Interesting. I see they've not "hidden" the exhausts this time.

These wee beauties used to be capable of hauling a trailer. Could one haul a DBSO?

 

[justinsteam]

nice to see the return of heriatage stock to normal use after the withdrawl of the 3CIGS

I agree.

Nice to see 121034 looking so smart!

 

[cj_1985]

nice to see progress...
i agree that its a shame that they couldnt have had the exhausts diverted like on 55020/121020...

 

[ACE1888]

Personally, I prefer a 'Bubble' with the exhausts, memories I suppose, the restoration of 121034 looks superb...long may it run...again!

 

[RPM]

121034 is scheduled to be delivered to Aylesbury today. Arriving sometime after mid day.

 

[msmith]

Passed through Little Kimble just after 12 today. Came through a little faster than I expected, so idn't get good photos - however what I did get are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38590656@N05/sets/72157626520513775/

Look forward to seeing it in service.

 

[RPM]

I caught it at Brill Tunnel a little earlier:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/5686441437/in/photostream

 

[Daimler]

Very charming.

I look forward to travelling on it...

 

[JoeGJ1984]

Would it likely be ready to run in service for the May timetable change in a couple of weeks? And is there any chance of one or both of Chiltern's bubblecars running more than just a few runs in the morning peak which are seen by few people except those who know of it's presence?

 

[Dampflok]

I also managed a few shots of the new bubblecar on its run from Tyseley to Aylesbury this morning - it does look really superb!

Photos are in my "May 2011" collection:

http://plumbloco.smugmug.com/Trains/May-2011/16902788

No idea, unfortunately, on when it might enter normal service.

Cheers, Geoff

 

[Simon Poole]

Is it a sign saying British Railways could be back...lol

To be honest, it's does look really smart, i seen the ATW Bubble car, Chiltern Railways 121020 and 960014...gives me a reason to travel down there to get an BR Green!

 

[RPM]

Geoff, great to see Plumb Loco making a comeback after the Great Fotopic Disaster!

 

[ACE1888]

I also managed a few shots of the new bubblecar on its run from Tyseley to Aylesbury this morning - it does look really superb!

Photos are in my "May 2011" collection:

http://plumbloco.smugmug.com/Trains/May-2011/16902788

No idea, unfortunately, on when it might enter normal service.

Cheers, Geoff

Some great shots

 

[SteamontheMet]

Splendid indeed,

I just wish she'd work the route further south of Princes Risborough sometimes or even operated the once daily Paddington - High Wycombe service then she will pass the back of my house!

Only dreams though!

 

[RPM]

I've now got some interior shots of 121034. Not sure when it is entering service but I'll post here when I find out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/5698903307
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/5698900771
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/5699471218

 

[strange6]

I also managed a few shots of the new bubblecar on its run from Tyseley to Aylesbury this morning - it does look really superb!

Photos are in my "May 2011" collection:

http://plumbloco.smugmug.com/Trains/May-2011/16902788

No idea, unfortunately, on when it might enter normal service.

Cheers, Geoff

I can't believe how new looking and clean she is. What a credit to the owners!

 

[colchesterken]

having spent all that money doing it up so well do they plan to use it all day
on alyes to risb,,it seems a waste of money for 2 return trips per day

 

[NSEFAN]

having spent all that money doing it up so well do they plan to use it all day
on alyes to risb,,it seems a waste of money for 2 return trips per day

I would hope so, but either way it's worth having 2 units. The whole point is to free up a 165 for the peak hours. If one unit fails, at least they have a spare now.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

I would hope so, but either way it's worth having 2 units. The whole point is to free up a 165 for the peak hours. If one unit fails, at least they have a spare now.

I would like to see it used all day but on other threads it was mentioned that the bubblecars need a guard (which would cost money) but the 165s do not. It seems a shame to have it stuck on the peak hours where not many people would use it after spending money to have it refurbished. I think they bought the second unit for operating the Stourbridge Town shuttle if they won the contract, but they didn't win it. It was said by RPM in another thread that he seems to think that their other bubblecar will go in for an overhaul when they get the second bubblecar running and then they will share duties on the branch line. I would hope they could at least reintroduce the evening peak diagram.

 

[RPM]

There are rumours that the evening bubble car working might reappear in September with the post-Evergreen 3 timetable. I haven't actually seen the draft timetable though so take this with a pinch of salt.

 

[msmith]

121034 made its first passenger run from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough this morning.

Some photos at the Marsh Crossing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38590656@N05/sets/72157626676858039/

 

[ACE1888]

Beautiful restoration job, and it's looks so 'right' on the mainline...'Bubbles'? Love 'em...

 

[justinsteam]

It looks good!

 

[Dampflok]

Geoff, great to see Plumb Loco making a comeback after the Great Fotopic Disaster!

Thanks RPM, it will take me rather a long time to get back to where I was with Fotopic, but have at least made a start...

Some more photos of the Bubble in the May 2011 collection, including some taken on its first public runs yesterday:



Click on the image to take you to the photo on my site where you will find plenty more, some of them taken on its crew training duties between Aylesbury and Bicester/Oxford

Cheers, Geoff