Pacers: The End

Off to Gascoigne Wood for storage before scrapping.

 

Despite all the dislike of them expressed on here, I think that if it hadn't been for pacers, quite a lot of rural routes in the North would have closed. They were a low cost solution at a time of cut backs, remember the Serpell report had only recently been binned at the time.

They did a job and served a purpose and I think should be acknowledged.

 

I thought it had been said on here previously they are banned on third rail territory due to a potential interface issue with the live rail.
Also with all the mainstream media derision of Pacers not sure it gives a good marketing point for a mainline connection.

 

What about the 3rd rail on Merseyside? Are they allowed to work on those sections?

 

Not really my area of knowledge, but I think there are only three locations where Class 14x units could operate over Merseyrail 3rd rail lines : Southport , Hunts Cross and Bidston
A quick skim through the sectional appendix doesn't throw up any restrictions. All are limited locations and any extra restrictions could be covered in local operating instructions.

The ban on Pacers running on the Southern third rail routes was eased slightly at some point. They are allowed to enter Eastleigh Works from the Romsey line running as ECS only. It's many years since any visited Eastleigh. Any future visits could well be one way only, with the remains departing in a EMR skip! ( For Victors sake, hopefully the Cummins engines will be recycled.).

Cheers, Neil

 

The Merseyrail access is limited to physical connection hence IIRC Class 14x units can also operate at Ellesmere Port and Chester. Whilst a Bootle access allows through running from Bootle to Southport I cannot recall seeing a Class 14x unit on that stretch although they have been noted using Southport's (electrified) triangle on occasion to reverse trainsets with faulty heating / speedometers. Also note that 142031 was on display at Birkenhead North in April 1986 when the Mersey Railway Centenary was celebrated during a depot Open Day.

 

It's been a while since 14x units have operated the Wrexham - Bidston service, but they certainly have done so, and that entailed running into the (3rd rail electrified) platform at Bidston.

Steve B

 

Hopefully not too much of an issue, at least one class 141 has run very successfully on a "preservation pattern" of usage.

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Notice news of 17 bids but only one for rail use
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/0...-in-the-running-to-get-a-pacer-train.html?amp

 

• Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Keighley – Convert the carriage into a mixed-use, non-clinical space to improve the patient experience.

Must say a lot about the rest of the hospital then!

 

Is this scheme a Porterbrook one?

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I'm reliably informed that if you have a vasectomy in South Manchester it takes place in a mobile unit in the car park of a Gala Bingo in Gorton. Not sure a Pacer would be significantly worse than that.

 

This feels like a dark scene from 15 Storeys High.

 

You're not getting mixed up with the free ballistic sterilisation unit which also operates in inner city Manchester are you?

That usually takes place in unusual locations , although some operatives will do home visits!!!

 

It looks like a GWR Pacer was demolished by a big wave on Dawlish sea wall yesterday, unfortunately with some injuries to passengers.

 

Not quite...
https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/incident-dawlish-train-carriage-smashed-3745717

 

Hopefully it won't be returned to service though.

 

A YouTube post of the incident taken from the Dawlish Webcam.
Not a great day to be sitting there being hit by waves/spray if the window had gone.

I understand a so called "sea water resistant" 800 failed there that day as well.

 

This was the one chosen for preservation at Swindon and Cricklade .

 

Praise the Lord, things are looking better. All the parked heaps of misery have gone from Huddersfield station and from my usual Sunday lunchtime position (Harrys Bar , Wakefield. It overlooks the main line to Doncaster and the South) Around 13:30pm the line is normally infested with them but last Sunday..........not a single one.
So there's a ray of hope and a payday for the scrap man.