Pacers: The End

I think that, for short distances, they are passable. Maybe they could be just used on fairly short turns on purely off peak times until they are replaced. I remember similar moans about 1st generation DMUs at about the time pacers were introduced

 

I completely agree they are poor on long journeys especially on jointed track. We turned up at Leeds to go to Morecambe ten days ago to find no train for the 1018 and a platform alteration. I talked to the crew--- they didn't know anything. I talked to the despatcher--- Neville Hill was one unit short this morning, everything has been shuffled around, this one is coming from Knottingley at 1025. Yes you've guessed it , a Pacer. Not great, though I must say the windows are good for scenic routes and for tall people the seat pitch is far from the worst.

Question is---- what are Northern to do? There are unit delivery delays from Spain, there are electrification delays from NR, there is a more ambitious timetable to fulfill. In my opinion, for routes like the Leeds--Knottingley---Wakefield-- Knottingley--Leeds circuit or Lancaster--Morecambe, they are OK. Certainly they are better than an emergency thinning out of the December timetable. If they have to run till May instead of Dec, no big deal.

 

On good track they're not too bad, Alderley to Piccadilly is a decent turn for them, it's smooth welded rail, not hugely overcrowded and only about a 30 minute run.

 

I see elsewhere that there was a move of 3 units to Worksop yesterday, - 142016/022/025
3 more are due from Heaton tomorrow.

 

Other than the NRM,has anyone bought one to preserve? Google doesn't show much that looks active.

 

Well I don't think @Victor's bought one...

 

Are these the improvements to the pacer fleet that have been talked about?

 

Not hanging about, are they?

 

I have not........although I'm thinking of penning a missive to Santa (sending him a note) asking for one for Christmas..............AND THEN I'LL BURN THE BLOODY THING".
Northern should run a 2 car set on the 15:05 Carlisle to Leeds service before the end.............just to remind folk how bad things were.

 

Careful what you wish for !

 

Angel trains are offering Pacers to heritage railways and the emergency services. The NRM are also taking one. Wonder if they'll put it on a rail tour!
https://www.facebook.com/114962256544008/posts/162673638439536/

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

Has this been mentioned before? Sorry, if so.
Am I alone in thinking 1 or 2 of these would be of (occasional) use to any heritage line?
They are, after all, part of Britain's rail heritage, like 'em or not, & worthy of interpretation.
Shuttle, crew transport, lineside fire-fighting, emergency rescue, driver experience, off-peak runs - what else?
Don't need much track space, presumably easy/cheap to maintain (bus) & drive.
The price is right!
I would have thought many lines could use one.

 

I seem to recall seeing a Class 141 at MRC Butterley

 

http://preserved.railcar.co.uk/55513.html

 

Class 144 pacer heading to the Great Central Railway in Nottingham
http://www.gcrn.co.uk/news/144003/

 

Surprised to see a number operating in Cardiff during the layover of the RTC trip on Tuesday. I thought they had all gone from Wales, so you may get "a deal" on one from there Victor.

 

The downside of using PACERS on Heritage lines is unless the line is Flat bottom railed and all in CWR then excessive track damage will result.
Which may prove a bit expensive to remedy.

 

Given I know you're very experienced in matters Pway (and I am certainly not!!!), I'd be genuinely interested to know exactly why this would be the case? Here at the North Norfolk we ran our 4 wheel raibusses regularly for the best part of 40 years (until around 2012) with no abnormal effects on track wear. I've also heard no complaints from the railways such as Butterley and Weardale who have both run services with Class 141's over the last 10 years.

This is a genuine query, and certainly not a dig at your post by the way!

Sent from my HTC U Play using Tapatalk

 

All down to the axle loading, speed and the effect on dipped joints and minor flaws in the rail.
When riding in a Pacer you can feel and hear the bangs of the impact on the joints, do you get the same result on the older railbuses?