Pacers- Still Alive And Well

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by TinTin_57, Nov 2, 2019.

  1. TinTin_57

    TinTin_57 Well-Known Member

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    I’m at Lancaster station, foreground and background they’re still just about alive and well ✅

    A7513031-BF4E-4830-8FDF-D7B9132536AB.jpeg 7C483AD8-115F-44FD-B4D5-8216350DF698.jpeg
     
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  2. Reeon1999

    Reeon1999 Active Member

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    Transport for Wales are still running them around the south wales valleys and the vale of glamorgan lines. To be honest, other than the fact they usually only run in two and the occasional four car formations here I don't find them too bad. I'd only wish they put 6 car variants out to cope with the demand but I understand why they can't. For frequent stopping and low distance journeys like the ones i said above they're more than okay but they'll never meet the 2020 accessibility standards so to the scrap yard they go.

    Edit: if not to the scrap yard then I believe the government is looking for ideas was to what they can do when they're no longer in service such as a cafe or something. I'll try and find a link.

    Edit1: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...acer-trains-retire-from-the-passenger-service
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2019
  3. Gae14

    Gae14 Active Member

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    That's nice to see ! Do you have any idea in which places I am most likely to find a 142 ? I would love to see one IRL in the upcoming months when I'll visit England.
     
  4. Reeon1999

    Reeon1999 Active Member

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    In Cardiff Central platforms 6 onwards you'll see one. Valley lines are run by either a 142, 143 or 150/2
     
  5. TinTin_57

    TinTin_57 Well-Known Member

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    I am going Carnforth to Preston and had to change at Lancaster. They run regularly between Lancaster and Morecambe which is where ‘my’ pacer was going.
     
  6. Gae14

    Gae14 Active Member

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    Thank you both. I feel like I really need to not delay too much my trip because they are not going to stay forever (hopefully for 2020 it will be ok)
     
  7. Manclion

    Manclion Well-Known Member

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    Northern will be keeping some of theirs into 2020 due to late arrival of replacements, often seen around Manchester Piccadilly on Rose Hill and Sheffield services.
     
  8. Gilly

    Gilly Well-Known Member

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    Get the odd one now and again up here on the Cumbrian Coast but rarer now than they were. Its saying something when push pull 37's are more common!!
     
  9. Digital Draftsman

    Digital Draftsman Well-Known Member

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    On plain welded rail track the ride on a Pacer is as good, if not better, a Sprinter. It's just unfortunate that the ride is appalling on jointed rail tight radius curves, which was what they were intended to run on.
     
  10. JJTimothy

    JJTimothy Well-Known Member

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    I still see them on the original Stockton and Darlington route running past Darlington Railway Museum (a.k.a. Head of Steam but don't Google that because you'll just get a pub in Gateshead) and Locomotion in Shildon- something for the itinerary if you're even slightly interested in trains. The Weardale Railway that runs on from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope used to run Pacers (the only two Class 141s that weren't exported to Iran if memory serves) but has been using a Class 122 for at least the last couple of years.

    Edit: If you're wondering my profile picture was taken at Locomotion. Mallard has since returned to York.
     
  11. michael.j.meliambro

    michael.j.meliambro Member

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    The Pacer's may have a bright future in preservation; as three of the Class 141 units are currently saved for use on heritage lines, and 142 Class prototype #142001 will make her home at the National Railway Museum upon her withdrawal.
     

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