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Want to have a go at driving a "Pacer"?

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Evan DMU, Jun 1, 2012.

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  1. Evan DMU

    Evan DMU New Member

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    Llangollen Railway is able to offer the unique opportunity to drive a Class 141 “Pacer” unit – the first time ever that members of the public have been able to experience being at the controls of one of these trains.
    The units were conceived in the early 1980s as low-cost replacements for classic DMUs using components from Leyland National buses mounted on rail chassis. Only 20 of the original design were ever built and they were all withdrawn in the late 1990s and many were exported to countries such as Iran and Holland.
    The design was later developed into the Class 142-144 family which is still in service today.
    Currently Llangollen Railway is being visited by 141113, the only one of the class to be fitted with Cummins engines and Voith transmission, which escaped export to be preserved at the Midland Railway. The unit will leave Llangollen in early July and so no further driver experience dates at Llangollen will be offered.
    Places on the experiences are limited to a first-come-first served basis. Up to two people may share each experience.
    Please contact Llangollen.Railway@btinternet.com or ring 01978-860979 for more details or to make a booking.

    Daytime dates available June 16 and 17 and evenings June 18 and 19.
     
    Evan DMU, Jun 1, 2012
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  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    I'm sorry but you cannot be serious, pay to driver one of those...
     
    RalphW, Jun 1, 2012
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  3. Tim Hall

    Tim Hall Member

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    You'd need to pay me to even set foot in one of those things.
    Good luck, I'm sure there'll be some who'll have a go at experiencing a definite low point in train development.
     
    Tim Hall, Jun 1, 2012
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  4. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    :third:he he he he :) how much is it / how long is it ?
     
    ADB968008, Jun 1, 2012
    #4
  5. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    ... unique opportunity (that's one way of describing it)
    ... Only 20 of the original design were ever built (thank goodness)
    ... many were exported to countries such as Iran (no wonder they don't like us much)
    ... 141113 ... which escaped export ... (catch it now and put it on a ship)
    ... so no further driver experience dates at Llangollen will be offered. (phew)
    ... Up to two people may share each experience. (they are expecting more than 2 people?)

    My lumbago will unfortunately prevent me from doing this "unique experience" - doctor's orders, honest! A problem which was caused by riding in the prototype 140 dmu in South Yorkshire many years ago.

    Richard
    (another lapsed member of the NatPres moderators pacer appreciation society)
     
    richards, Jun 1, 2012
    #5
  6. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    Looks like those ' Queue here to drive a pacer' signs won't be needed then !

    Bob.
     
    Thompson1706, Jun 1, 2012
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  7. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    If there were only 20 built then Northern seem to be operating them all around Manchester.....
     
    RalphW, Jun 1, 2012
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  8. oddsocks

    oddsocks Well-Known Member

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    Do I want to have a go at driving a pacer?

    In a word, ​NO!
     
    oddsocks, Jun 1, 2012
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  9. steamdream

    steamdream Member

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    Pacer
    or Shaker?:becky:
    noel
     
    steamdream, Jun 1, 2012
    #9
  10. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    Come on Ralph - keep up. Those are the 142s, but they learnt nothing from the design of the 141.

    Not exactly the smoothest ride or a peaceful travelling environment:

    [video=youtube;jqLX8ekkO08]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLX8ekkO08[/video]

    Richard
     
    richards, Jun 1, 2012
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  11. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    While 150s aren't the best, I'm glad that I never had to put up with pacers back home.
     
    Kje7812, Jun 1, 2012
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  12. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    They may not have been anybodies favourite train but it can be contended that they kept the wolf from the door for a lot of local lines at a time when a very rail-hostile government was in place that could easily have hit the 'bustitution' button instead.
     
    Martin Perry, Jun 1, 2012
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  13. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    No but I'd pay good money to gas axe a Pacer. :)
     
    Spamcan81, Jun 1, 2012
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  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Just goes to show I'm no anarak, don't know a 141 from a 142....
     
    RalphW, Jun 1, 2012
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  15. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    That video got boring after the first few seconds. A bit like driving one, I expect......
     
    Steve, Jun 1, 2012
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  16. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    You don't need to.. They ain't worth that much in scrap value...
     
    ADB968008, Jun 1, 2012
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  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Gas axe one for free? Even better. :)
     
    Spamcan81, Jun 2, 2012
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  18. RA & FC

    RA & FC Well-Known Member

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    Want to have a go at driving a "Pacer"?

    I wonder if there would have been more interest for this if it was an opportunity to drive it into CF Booths yard in Rotherham.
     
    RA & FC, Jun 2, 2012
    #18
  19. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    Re: Want to have a go at driving a "Pacer"?

    :clap2:

    Richard
     
    richards, Jun 2, 2012
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  20. 6024KEI

    6024KEI Member

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    That video has been doctored Richard - everytime I went on one of those heaps of junk, they never moved anywhere without the engine screaming its head off, usually coupled with the flanges on the long wheel base screeching at any slight curve. Add to the ride quality the fact that the heating was always on full blast all summer and completely knackered all winter and you'll understand why I'll not be rushing to help preserve one. Still they are part of our rail history and someone must love this one so I won't wish it ill - just don't ever ask me to ride on one as some kind of enjoyment!
     
    6024KEI, Jun 2, 2012
    #20
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