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Squeaking 142's
- Thread starter strange6
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Couldn't agree more. The units refurbished by Northern Spirit / ATN were always my personal favourites in the early winter mornings - lovely and toasty, though with a slight odour of baking chewing gum stuck in the heaters...
The same can't be said for the ex-FNW sets, and I never got an ex-Merseyrail set for comparisons either.
obrut165
Member
the reason they squel is due to them being fixed axles unlike other units which are on bogies which can turn going round corners!!
spacehopper
Member
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Had a few 142s get stuck on Gateshead curve recently. 20 minutes to bunny hop inch by inch forwards. If you sit on roof terrace of the Central Bar you can relax with a pint and listen for the squeal!
Manual heating isolating valve in the stepwells, trouble is the coolant then has a tendency to leak in the saloon. Little rocker switch by doors to increase heat air flow.
Had a punter other day asking if the "rattler" trains would be on return trip. Another commenting on our " austerity" rolling stock.
Give me a 156 anyday especially 156444!
Manual heating isolating valve in the stepwells, trouble is the coolant then has a tendency to leak in the saloon. Little rocker switch by doors to increase heat air flow.
Had a punter other day asking if the "rattler" trains would be on return trip. Another commenting on our " austerity" rolling stock.
Give me a 156 anyday especially 156444!
strange6
Established Member
Yeah, the 156's are nice to ride on. Good views. good space and comfy ride. Pity Northern can't clean them properly!
northwichcat
Veteran Member
If you're near a door on a 142 in winter when it's doing 60mph+ you get what feels like Arctic air blowing at you through the drafty bus doors. And some people have suggested replacing the toilet with extra seating.
The Central is one place I need to visit now, since the refurb. No doubt will take the camera as well, seems to be in a very good spot for trains.
jcollins said:
I've probably become immune to any draughts on a 142, don't really notice it these days. Wouldn't like to see the toilet removed either, seeing as half the time I'm on a Pacer it is trvelling to/from a drinking establishment...
DarloRich
Veteran Member
Death to all pacers! lol I used to get one of Darlo on a Monday morning to newcastle to get back to uni (think it still runs) - ALways fun at top whack up hte ECML. How the engines ddint "escape" i will never know. Add to the pitch and roll and the squeek it was always a fun ride!
PS which one is the Central? I think i have drunk in most round there but the booze is starting to addle the brain ( PPS even the Strawbeery has a roof terrace now -ffs whats all that about!)
PS which one is the Central? I think i have drunk in most round there but the booze is starting to addle the brain ( PPS even the Strawbeery has a roof terrace now -ffs whats all that about!)
There are two or three which are still booked for 142 action on the early morning from Saltburn and Middlesbrough to Newcastle via Darlo and Durham. Only done it that way once due to the first Middlesbrough - Carlisle direct service being cancelled but it was full to Darlo and full from there to Newcastle. No hope for those at Chester-le-Street
The Central is the one at the Gateshead end of the Tyne Bridge, built like a triangle due to the layout of the road and the High Level Bridge. Think it is on Half Moon Lane if IIRC. Was bought by the Head of Steam group.
The Central is the one at the Gateshead end of the Tyne Bridge, built like a triangle due to the layout of the road and the High Level Bridge. Think it is on Half Moon Lane if IIRC. Was bought by the Head of Steam group.
northwichcat
Veteran Member
I had the misfortune to be on a busy Merseytravel 142 on the Mid-Cheshire line sat close to a door when we had the double negative overnight lows last December. That was a horrible experience! Even with the heaters working there was ice forming on the inside of the doors.
Frequently Pacers have toilets where the lock's broken, the door doesn't shut properly or the toilet doesn't flush. That doesn't seem to stop any male passengers using the toilet but some female passengers refuse.
I have to admit I don't particularly like the overhead heaters that are still on some of the 142s, the floor ones are much better.
The doors have always been an issue ever since the folding leaf ones were originally put it. So many times I've been delayed at stations due to one of the doors sticking and not locking properly. Nowadays if see it happening I'll give it a boot to make sure it closes properly.
The doors have always been an issue ever since the folding leaf ones were originally put it. So many times I've been delayed at stations due to one of the doors sticking and not locking properly. Nowadays if see it happening I'll give it a boot to make sure it closes properly.
Seems a bit stuid, overhead heaters, anyone with a basic under standing of thermodynamics could see that a good idea
WelshBluebird
Established Member
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Horrible things.
They are pretty damn awful on the valley lines and around Cardiff, and are even worse down in Devon (partly because for whatever reason FGW still have the "bench" seats).
Although they don't seem as bad between Bath and Bristol (am guessing because its a mainline).
That heating is bloody horrible when they have it on during a warm / hot day though!
They are pretty damn awful on the valley lines and around Cardiff, and are even worse down in Devon (partly because for whatever reason FGW still have the "bench" seats).
Although they don't seem as bad between Bath and Bristol (am guessing because its a mainline).
That heating is bloody horrible when they have it on during a warm / hot day though!
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Sitting next to a door helps! I know what you mean, but then again it seems when I travel on a bus the heating is broken in winter and on full blast in summer.
Do you mean a pacer or one of those funny Road-Pacers?
Nym
Established Member
I refer you to the metrolink in Eccles...
northwichcat
Veteran Member
There'll be more Metrolink running on the road outside town and city centres very soon.
Gat a powerful lorry, and put rubber wheels on some old rolling stock, couple them together, and there you have a real road train.
HugePilchard
Member
Well, that's rarely a bad thing! Might have to pay a visit. A few unusual ales from the fridge, and enjoy the view, eh?
I think the worst journey I ever did was on a Pacer. Last train from Newcastle, heading to Darlo on either a Friday or Saturday night; rammed to the gills, and the toilet was overflowing. Charming.
I haven't been myself yet, although after I finish exams I'll be in for a few hours celebrating.
That late night Pacer (done it a couple of times to Middlesbrough) can be one of the worst as a good 50% of people on it have been on the hoy in Toon - toilet can be in a bit of state by Durham.
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