reddragon
Established Member
Worse still, commuters might now think the Pacers are staying!
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Great Western Livery
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Worse still, commuters might now think the Pacers are staying!
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R
RailUK Forums
Exactly! I never thought I'd see Pacers in GWR green.
Surely an excuse to use up all the spare First group blue knocking about?!
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
143603 has run ECS from Exeter to Barton Hill this morning for painting. I'm not sure of the location of 143620 but in the current position re DMU availability, I would think 620 would have been back at Exeter and in service before 603 could be released from traffic.
There was an article somewhere where they interviewed some commuters around Exeter, and they seemed quite popular with commuters. I don't think many notice the difference between the pacers and sprinters in Devon except those who use the Tarka line where the ride quality is very poor. They're ideal stock for Exmouth - Exeter (short journey time and frequent stops)
northwichcat
Veteran Member
I wonder if those who argued the 150/0s will not transfer to Northern in 2019 because they are in GWR green will now argue the Pacers will continue in service at GWR post-2019.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Some of the commuters probably prefer the 2+2 seating on the 143s over the high density airline style 3+2 seating on the 150/1s.
But it looks so smart in GWR Green.
But it looks so smart in GWR Green.
Apedlar12
Member
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Well my local station is the terminus of the Tarka Line (Barnstaple) and there are several sections of track along the line that when you are on a 143 pacer it is absolutely awful. You get swung side to side and it is so bumpy. However when a 150 or a 153 is doing it, you hardly feel anything.
I would agree with you that the new liveried pacers would be fine for the Exmouth <> Paignton service but not here as the track needs to be updated.
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TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I would always choose a pacer over a 150/1!
I wonder if those who argued the 150/0s will not transfer to Northern in 2019 because they are in GWR green will now argue the Pacers will continue in service at GWR post-2019.
To be fair, we're all guessing really. The 150/0s have been fitted with wifi and new interiors, something that hasn't happened to the 153s and 143s. I'm sure it will all become clear soon!
Indeed! The first time I ever used the line a few years ago, I ended up with drink down my front! It was over exceptionally poor track between Portsmouth Arms and Umberleigh, most of which has now been replaced. Quite fun for a day trip but not something you'd want to commute over regularly
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I was on 150926 today. 150126 has indeed been fitted with PIS (although it wasn't switched on) and a new disabled toilet. Some new fold down seats have been added in the wheelchair area with a nice new dynamic lines trim!
59CosG95
Established Member
Could it be something to do with the style of doors? Being bus doors and predominately glass, maybe they thought there was not enough to paint silver for the contrasting affect. Or to highlight the wheelchair space, looking at the picture, allthough not clear it doesnt look like the 2 sets of doors on the other carriage has recoeved the same treatment.
Whereas on the other types of stock it is either plug, sliding or slam doors which have a smaller window and a much larger area to paint. This may be why they have only got the silver doors.
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TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I wonder how often you've had to visit a chiropractor...
Actually I think I'm developing a hunchback, no lie! And im not even a proper adult yet! Bad posture i imagine, not pacers, only get to go on them rarely.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Oh, and when's it entering service?
Pacers give a much better view for passengers than a 150 on scenic routes such as the sea wall for example, and FGW/GWR has looked after the units a lot better than many TOCs. They're nippy too, often waiting time at Newton Abbot after a run up the branch from Paignton (I assume the standard timings are set for the most sluggish units in the pool, probably 153). On welded rail the ride is excellent. It's only when you get onto jointed rail on the branches you get the nodding effect, and that's all down to the 4 wheel fixed chassis design. The last sections of jointed rail on the Torbay branch were replaced a few yeas ago, so a pacer ride to Exeter is now very comfortable. They don't half squeal though when going round curves, regardless of the rail type, due to that fixed wheelbase.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
The term pacer shouldnt be given to FGW 143s. When someone says pacer I (and probably others) always think of 142s. But FGW 143s are clean and pleasant to travel on, the seats are train seats not bus ones, they dont make a massive amount of racket and they're nowhere near as bumpy as Northern's pacers. You wouldnt believe theyre converted buses!
D1009
Established Member
Word at Exeter last night was that 620 has yet to appear. They're still very short of Pacers.
Another rumour was that 603 hit debris at Nailsea on Thursday morning as a result of the incident that closed the line for most of the morning.
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TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Yes, but I really want to see them in actual service!!!
reddragon
Established Member
Where is 150001 now? Bristol or Reading as I haven't seen it in Reading for a while.
Class 387s everywhere!
Class 387s everywhere!
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
Bristol and has been for some weeks now. Is working Cardiff to Tauntons today.
cactustwirly
Established Member
Been on 165111 today, and I can confirm that it doesn't have air cooling fitted.
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coppercapped
Established Member
They are not!
Apedlar12
Member
- Joined
- 13 Apr 2017
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- 833
Looks like a pacer is returning from Bristol Barton Hill to Exeter TMD on Friday:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V25019/2017/07/21/advanced
Probably 143603, 143620 or both...
Which probably means another of the remaining 6 will go off soon to get the repaint
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V25019/2017/07/21/advanced
Probably 143603, 143620 or both...
Which probably means another of the remaining 6 will go off soon to get the repaint
59CosG95
Established Member
That may be because most of the track they run on is continuously welded, so Exeter to Paignton on one is tolerable. If it was operating over jointed track, with all the clickety-clacking, then you have a completely different kettle of fish. And yes, seeing as they were all designed as part of the Pacer family by BR, the name's gonna stick...
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Oh. I thought pacers were made from old buses. Im sure that's the case with 142s anyway.
No, 142's aren't made from old buses.
marky7890
Member
Very bouncy on the journey to Barnstaple where there is quite a bit of jointed track still.
They were however made using some bus components I believe (brand-new bus components that is, not used bus components taken off a bus) and the same applies to 143s and 144s I believe. At the very least, the doors are bus doors (but, again, new-build ones for Pacers I suspect not nicked from old buses).
Indeed, there are many shared components, i'm not saying there isn't.
But the poster in question had first stated they were converted buses, then when corrected decided to state that they were old buses instead. They were neither.
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