The design thinking behind Pacers

[Tetchytyke]

They were scarcely much better in the Pacers. The number of times I got on a Pacer after getting off an ECML train and noticing how gloomy the lighting was in comparision. The fact BR ever thought it was acceptsble ssys much about the sloppy standards applied to Pacers.

The Pacers had the fully enclosed plastic diffusers which tended to make them darker, especially as the inside of the diffuser started to collect muck and dust. Whether that looks more professional than a bare light bulb is a matter of taste, really. In later refurbishments the plastic diffuser was replaced with a more open one.

I don't like the 142s, and I'll be glad to see them go, but they *were* an improvement on what came before. And the idea of bringing bus economics to the trains was a sound one. A bus-on-train-wheels beats a bus-on-bus-wheels.

 

[MarkyT]

The irony with Pacers was that they were built to provide a service on rickety branch lines but the four-wheel chassis was much more suited to the CWR and high speed turnouts of the major routes.

Agreed. In my part of the world now, Exeter - Paignton is a comfortable ride on a pacer throughout since the last bit of jointed track on the branch was replaced a few years ago. The airy saloons with large windows and narrow pillars also afford good views along this scenic route, and GWR keep the units very clean and presentable. Their flanges still scream around tight curves however, with their long fixed wheelbase! Together with the starting engine whine, one up example pulling away around the curve from Teignmouth station rather ruined my video shot of a down steam excursion on the other track along the sea wall! I wouldn't like to live too close to a curvy line frequented by these trains.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Pacer engines are very quiet compared with other 15x, though. I guess this is the heavy underframe isolating them from the coach body. It's much more of a quiet wheeze.

 

[sprinterguy]

Pacer engines are very quiet compared with other 15x, though. I guess this is the heavy underframe isolating them from the coach body. It's much more of a quiet wheeze.

I'm not sure which Pacers you have experience of, but it strikes me as being a reverberating throb, and fairly intrusive when accelerating. They're pretty quiet at idle, though, and quite different to the rasp of the Cummins NT855 engines fitted to Sprinter units, I'll grant you.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm not sure which Pacers you have experience of

Extensive travel on North West 142s mostly. Maybe 143/144 are different.

but it strikes me as being a reverberating throb, and fairly intrusive when accelerating. They're pretty quiet at idle, though, and quite different to the rasp of the Cummins NT855 engines fitted to Sprinter units, I'll grant you.

I really wouldn't describe it like that, it's more of a loud-hairdryer-style wheeze. If you want a "reverberating throb" that's found on a Class 150 or 156, and a sort-of relaxing but loud whine on a Class 158.