My idea for: Pacer - Thurso to Penzance

[Butts]

Just wondering whether such a journey would be technically possible and if so how long it would take ?

More to the point , how many volunteers to undertake such an expedition.

I'm sure there's no truth in the rumour it would be quicker to cycle between John O'groats and Lands End.

 

[harry42]

Paths...
Signals...
Driver...
Renting a pacer...

Couldn't really happen I wouldn't think

 

[rdeez]

Technically it must surely be possible? Operationally a nightmare I'd imagine...

Surely the riders would have to do it for a charitable cause...why else would they?

 

[Butts]

Technically it must surely be possible? Operationally a nightmare I'd imagine...

Surely the riders would have to do it for a charitable cause...why else would they?

Or heading to a psychiatric establishment

 

[Zoe]

Any reason for choosing Thurso as a starting point over Wick? The distance from the Wick to Penzance would be greater and would not require a reversal at Georgemas Junction.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Surely it would breach anti-torture legislation?

 

[Rich McLean]

It would of fallen apart by the time it reached New Street............

 

[David Barrett]

It would of fallen apart by the time it reached New Street............

Or its occupants would.

 

[gordonthemoron]

perhaps it would require a rebuild enroute?

 

[QJ]

The distance from the Wick to Penzance would be greater and would not require a reversal at Georgemas Junction

That depends on what the pacer is resting on. I don't see the OP stating it had to be on rails. It could be on a ocean going cargo vessel or on the back of a low loader(or two) If it was conveyed by ship the captain would need to ensure it inadvertently didn't disappear into a Mousehole approaching Penzance. A navigational error and it could end up in the Scilly isles. (pedants not withstanding).

If ever UKR get fed up using 159s or IC125s on their charters then who knows...................................... full dining on a 142.

 

[PHILIPE]

What about Route Availabity of a Pacer.

 

[Jonny]

What about Route Availabity of a Pacer.

In the strictest sense of route availability, it is unlikely to be an issue as they are pretty lightweight. Gauge clearance etc. is likely to be another matter altogether though...

 

[DownSouth]

...................................... full dining on a 142.

Would be good for salads or milkshakes, with there being no need for any extra effort to be put into mixing them.

 

[gordonthemoron]

dry martini, shaken not stirred

 

[Katada]

This is hilarious.

I agree with Gordon, haha.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This would be quite a journey- though I imagine there'd need to be several stops to allow the crew and passengers to disembark and have all the dislocated vertebrae re-set!

The journey would likely be longer than the equivalent trip behind a 47 or Deltic, as you'd need to run via the G&SW; S&C/Cumbrian Coast and probably the Marches and HOWL to avoid disrupting the scheduled services!

 

[Katada]

What about a Parry People Mover?

 

[southern442]

Would be good for salads or milkshakes, with there being no need for any extra effort to be put into mixing them.

Or a destruction movie in 4D (where you can feel what is on the screen!)
Free popcorn provided.

 

[gordonthemoron]

What about a Parry People Mover?

Much better idea

 

[ffm]

I would do it for £100,000 and a guarantee of a place in rehabilitation for the musculoskeletal injuries.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Surely the reverse journey (Penzance-Thurso) would be even worse as it's mainly uphill :-?

 

[Bevan Price]

Would be good for salads or milkshakes, with there being no need for any extra effort to be put into mixing them.

I think it would need to carry a few crates of seasickness tablets, and probably require a few depot visits to clean the toilet floor, after people failed to "aim straight" when it passed over a junction.

 

[Dunc108]

Any reason for choosing Thurso as a starting point over Wick? The distance from the Wick to Penzance would be greater and would not require a reversal at Georgemas Junction

A 142 would get blown off the Highlands before it even reached Dingwall!

 

[chorleyjeff]

Just wondering whether such a journey would be technically possible and if so how long it would take ?

More to the point , how many volunteers to undertake such an expedition.

I'm sure there's no truth in the rumour it would be quicker to cycle between John O'groats and Lands End.

Would be OK if comfortable armchair type seats were provided.
Did Lancaster to Carlisle on one and the only problem was extreme sadlesoreness.

 

[Moonshot]

In terms of covering the rail mileage from Thurso to Penzance, that would not be a problem for a Pacer unit.....they probably do that sort of mileage anyway on a daily basis on the particular diagrams they cover. Whats the casualty rate per 1000 miles travelled for one of these units?

 

[fgwrich]

Not sure if any members of the Pacer classes actually reached any of the Scottish Highland destinations in the end, but BR did originally propose to use 140s on routes like the line to Oban. Somehow I don't think that idea proved to be very popular!

In all seriousness though, when the ex Northern 142 Fleet went over for use with FGW, they did actually receive some attention and overhauls at Springburn Works. So they have indeed ran from Springburn down to Bristol and Exeter in at least 1 if not 2 days already.

 

[adrock1976]

Seriously, to do this journey in a Pacer must be for masochists.

I thought I was a bad enough masochist for being an Aston Villa (I'm originally from the West Midlands) and Partick Thistle (my adopted Scottish team) fan

In peace
Adam

 

[rf_ioliver]

As this is for enthusiasts/charity/madmen, why not reupholster the pacer with carpets and bolt down a few proper armchairs and tables for the journey?

Just wondering about routing, from Penzance up to Bristol then over to Llanelli then the HOWL, then I guess a circle around S&C and the Cumbrian Coast to Glasgow and then onwards? Could be quite an adventure....

t.

Ian

 

[47802]

I would go on that trip as long as I we could blow it up or burn it at the end of the journey

 

[adrock1976]

I would go on that trip as long as I we could blow it up or burn it at the end of the journey

We would not have any physical memento from that epic journey!

In peace
Adam