Pacers on the Tarka / Southwest

[support-uk-rail]

It's just over a year now since the Class 142 'Pacers' were re-introduced to the southwest and Tarka line. Recently, I've noticed quite a few 143's on the Tarka, Avocet and Riviera Lines.

Has anybody got any extra information?

Thanks,
Haz

 

[Turbostar]

FGW 143's have been transferred from PM to EZ to replace the 142's that have moved back up north. AB Rail is showing the following as having been transferred:

603, 611, 612, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621

As far as what happens to the Bristol area now the 143's have been sent elsewhere, I don't know, but I'm sure someone on here will answer that.

 

[Techniquest]

Two 143s go up empty to Bristol for the Severn Beach trains, but the others should be found on Devon Metro services now. This should balance things out since the first of the 142s went back up north.

 

[devon_metro]

Two 143s.

Three

 

[support-uk-rail]

Does this mean they'll be staying?

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

For the timebeing yes...

 

[Techniquest]

Three

I'd heard two over on the WNXX forum.

 

[support-uk-rail]

Awesome.

Am I the only one that likes Pacers?
(Convert - I used to hate them!!)

 

[Techniquest]

heart-of-wessex is our resident Pacer fan

 

[TEW]

There is also 143 used on a Taunton-Cardiff diagram.

 

[90019]

heart-of-wessex is our resident Pacer fan

You'd never guess it, would you

 

[support-uk-rail]

Devon Metro?

 

[Mojo]

Devon Metro??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Yes, the network of (mostly) 2tph lines around Exeter (eg: Exmouth, Paignton, etc. services)

 

[support-uk-rail]

Ah right, cool.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Awesome.

Am I the only one that likes Pacers?
(Convert - I used to hate them!!)

Yeeey! Finally i am not alone!


James.

 

[Chafford1]

Why do you like Pacers??

 

[support-uk-rail]

I think they sound cool, I love the rattling, I actually love the bad reliability, I love the way that after 50mph it practically starts derailing... I love it all.

I thought most rail enthusiats would be in favour of keeping Pacers..

 

[devon_metro]

They are ok, although when running as 2 car there is not enough capacity by far.

 

[support-uk-rail]

Depends what time and what route.

Literally just got off a 143 that had barely anyone on it.

 

[devon_metro]

I was on one this morning that was full and standing before it left Paignton

 

[WillPS]

I wondered what was going on the other day when I got on a Pacer to Lincoln in 2-star North Western livery with First Great Western scrubbed out all over it.

 

[Benn88]

I think Pacers are pretty decent entertainment wise too, nothing on a 1st gen DMU, or loco hauled.. but for there-every-day workhorse traction they are a bit of fun, especially when they bomb it on joined track lol!

 

[Donny Dave]

Try being on a pacer at 55mph on 60ft jointed track !!!!

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

I think they sound cool, I love the rattling, I actually love the bad reliability, I love the way that after 50mph it practically starts derailing... I love it all.

I thought most rail enthusiats would be in favour of keeping Pacers..

Absoluteley spot on there, could'nt agree more. Although many people dislike them I think they are fantastic and would be in favour of keeping them for as long as posible, in a way they kind of keep British railways 'down to earth' (if that makes sense!)

I personally love travelling on the mainline on a 142 and a high speed train or a pendo(!) passes by and you kind of think - yeah I might be smaller than you but.....

 

[Turbostar]

Is it my imagination, or are we not on the subject of 'Pacers on the Tarka / Southwest' anymore??? :? :? :?

 

[support-uk-rail]

I dunno, it might swing it's way back to Pacers on the Tarka / Southwest

I saw a Pacer refurbished at St Davids the other day............ and really clean too, and it looked amazing. If I'm honest, it didn't look 'brand new' due to the boxiness of it all, but it was perfect. I can't remember what number it was though...

The best thing about Pacer is on a branch line late at night with it raining outside, and in the other carraige, the lights go out, so you go in there, shut your eyes, turn on your iPod, and it's like, really cool, and the shaking of the seat massages your back. Or, standing by the doors and looking down the train when it's going 50 + and seeing it wobble acutely... pretty awesome.