Ultimate pacer ride for charity

[strange6]

I wonder if anybody would be interested in chartering a 142, starting off at the most Northern station in the British Isles and travelling non-stop, without a break, to the most Southern station in the isles, all for charity. Of course, there would have to be driver changes along the way. What do people think? I wonder if some TOC could lend us a 142 and Network rail scrub the charges for doing the trip.

 

[Ivo]

I wonder if anybody would be interested in chartering a 142, starting off at the most Northern station in the British Isles and travelling non-stop, without a break, to the most Southern station in the isles, all for charity. Of course, there would have to be driver changes along the way. What do people think? I wonder if some TOC could lend us a 142 and Network rail scrub the charges for doing the trip.

I would, but it would never happen

Thurso to Penzance is an awfully long way on any stock, especially at Pacer speed. There would also need to be some kind of food/drink system worked out, because that distance isn't reasonable. Maybe at a few carefully selected locations (Perth, Lancaster, Cheltenham perhaps?) someone could board the train for a few minutes to provide a refreshment stop? Also, I would prefer a 143

 

[strange6]

I would, but it would never happen

Thurso to Penzance is an awfully long way on any stock, especially at Pacer speed. There would also need to be some kind of food/drink system worked out, because that distance isn't reasonable. Maybe at a few carefully selected locations (Perth, Lancaster, Cheltenham perhaps?) someone could board the train for a few minutes to provide a refreshment stop? Also, I would prefer a 143

We could all take cool boxes full of food and drink. And it wouldn't take more than 24 hours to complete. Sore bums perhaps but good publicity for the TOC and the charity in question!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I doubt it would happen. Spare Pacer for 24 hours + and the run back up? Paths? Drivers who sign both 142s and Tain-Dalwhinnie? Nice idea, won't happen though.

 

[Ivo]

I doubt it would happen. Spare pacer for 24 hours +? Paths? Drivers who sign both 142s and Tain-Dalwhinnie? Nice idea, won't happen though.

*cough* SUNDAY *cough*

Just weave around all the engineering works, and it's job done! As for the signing bit, could you not use a driver and a secondman to help with the route, to advise the driver? In fact, maybe it could just be a team of about 12 or so, who could interchange driving responsibilities among themselves (and follow the above; always have a Pacer driver in the cab)? Would also make it much easier to find something to do.

One question: How do we get between Inverness and Exeter (the furthest points on the network that aren't on single routes)? Maybe we could plot a route

 

[MidnightFlyer]

One question: How do we get between Inverness and Exeter (the furthest points on the network that aren't on single routes)? Maybe we could plot a route

Exeter-Plymouth is double throughout isn't it?

RailMiles suggests Inverness-Aviemore-Stirling-Cumbernauld-WCML-Crewe-Birmingham New St-University-Temple Meads-Taunton-Plymouth... 680mi 19ch

 

[scotsman]

*cough* SUNDAY *cough*

Just weave around all the engineering works, and it's job done! As for the signing bit, could you not use a driver and a secondman to help with the route, to advise the driver? In fact, maybe it could just be a team of about 12 or so, who could interchange driving responsibilities among themselves (and follow the above; always have a Pacer driver in the cab)? Would also make it much easier to find something to do.

One question: How do we get between Inverness and Exeter (the furthest points on the network that aren't on single routes)? Maybe we could plot a route

I think some sort of 24 hour, buffer-puffer style tour is the best idea. As for having a driver that signs the route and another that signs pacers - that happens fairly often on charters, just not with pacers!

 

[Ivo]

To make route utilisation as easy as possible and avoid as many singled sections as possible:

Thurso - Inverness - Aberdeen - Dundee - Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh - Newcastle - York - Leeds - Sheffield - Derby - Tamworth - Birmingham NS - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol TM - Exeter SD - Plymouth - Penzance

Underlined stops could be refreshment breaks if required.

@ Matt: By "single routes" I meant routes where there is only one option. Beyond Exeter, there is only one route available. Also, I tried the Cumbernauld route but I'm not sure it would work with singling? (I may be wrong.) I also tried to avoid the WCML, although whether that was a good idea or not is another matter!

 

[142094]

If this did happen, I'd be all over it like a rash. Someone fire off an e-mail to Northern...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I like the idea, but I fear that even if a TOC would release a Pacer for the duration and NR waive their track fees, the idea may founder on the cost of the fares for the participants to get out to Thurso and home from Penzance?

If it goes ahead and I could make it, I'd prefer one of the units that still have the original bus type seating in it - much more comfortable than the moulded individual seats in the refurbished ones...

 

[Ivo]

I like the idea, but I fear that even if a TOC would release a Pacer for the duration and NR waive their track fees, the idea may founder on the cost of the fares for the participants to get out to Thurso and home from Penzance?

If it goes ahead and I could make it, I'd prefer one of the units that still have the original bus type seating in it - much more comfortable than the moulded individual seats in the refurbished ones...

I have to admit that I would be tempted to agree. I prefer the mor modern "moulded" seats for the most part, but supposing we want to sleep on the journey? The three-seater bus benches are the best option out there (apart from sleeping compartments obviously ).

Also, it only costs so much to get to Thurso or Penzance. A cheap Advance or two and it's job done*!

Anyway, would we not want a more scenic route for this, even if it would entail a reversal or two? I am thinking something along the lines of:

Thurso - Inverness - Aviemore - Perth - Stirling - Cumbernauld - Carlisle - Settle - Hellifield - Preston - Warrington BQ - Chester - Shrewsbury - Hereford - Newport - Bristol TM - Taunton - Exeter SD - Plymouth -Penzance

* Does not apply if XC are involved, which is more than likely

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Well, Thurso to Penzance would be on the 142 charter so with the assumed loan of a unit and lack of track fees the price of being on the charter is the least of the costs to the participants. I was thinking of the costs to get to and from the start and finish points unless you could negotiate with ATOC for nominal positioning fares for the tour participants?

 

[ainsworth74]

If this were by some miracle to ever go ahead I would quite happily do it! I mean come on what's not to like!? As for pacer flavour I would propose a former ATN 142 (the sort that trundle around between Darlo and Saltburn) as they seem to be the comfiest to me.

 

[wintonian]

I'll come but only if I can bring a cushion, and are going to have some kind of charity livery?

 

[yorksrob]

I wonder if anybody would be interested in chartering a 142, starting off at the most Northern station in the British Isles and travelling non-stop, without a break, to the most Southern station in the isles, all for charity. Of course, there would have to be driver changes along the way. What do people think? I wonder if some TOC could lend us a 142 and Network rail scrub the charges for doing the trip.

Yes, but only if somebody filled up the toilet tank regularly !

 

[strange6]

It's worth looking into! BBC Children in need would be good since you would be guaranteed a big slice of telly time. What TOC could resist that??

 

[Ivo]

Yes, but only if somebody filled up the toilet tank regularly !

That's a fair point actually. How long would it take to empty the tank? And how far could we go without needing a refuelling? Is Thurso to Penzance (and associated journeys to those extremities) actually possible, or would a long stop be needed? (Of course, participants have to remain on said Pacer during the process, unless it isn't safe to do so...!)

 

[strange6]

That's a fair point actually. How long would it take to empty the tank? And how far could we go without needing a refuelling? Is Thurso to Penzance (and associated journeys to those extremities) actually possible, or would a long stop be needed? (Of course, participants have to remain on said Pacer during the process, unless it isn't safe to do so...!)

It would be possible to go there non-stop with full tanks. They can go over 1000 miles I believe

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It would be possible to go there non-stop with full tanks. They can go over 1000 miles I believe

Are us two thinking about the same tank here?

 

[yorksrob]

That's a fair point actually. How long would it take to empty the tank? And how far could we go without needing a refuelling? Is Thurso to Penzance (and associated journeys to those extremities) actually possible, or would a long stop be needed? (Of course, participants have to remain on said Pacer during the process, unless it isn't safe to do so...!)

Certainly on the Hastings Thumper they try to refill at the journey's destination as well as before they set off and we don't usually run out. There is only one loo per Pacer so I'd expect it'd be a couple of times a day at least.

There's always the "if it's yellow, let it mellow" rule which could be enforced though
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It would be possible to go there non-stop with full tanks. They can go over 1000 miles I believe

I think I'm on about a different tank

 

[Ivo]

Where on the route can toilet cleans, and refuelling if it does turn out to be necessary, take place? Obviously it wouldn't be recommended at a station like New Street, which is too busy, or Cheltenham Spa, where you would have to go out of the way and then block traffic when returning to resume the journey?

 

[strange6]

Where on the route can toilet cleans, and refuelling if it does turn out to be necessary, take place? Obviously it wouldn't be recommended at a station like New Street, which is too busy, or Cheltenham Spa, where you would have to go out of the way and then block traffic when returning to resume the journey?

Toilet cleans could be done on driver change overs as long as none of use gets off the train. I was wondering if any of the drivers furthest North would be signed off for 142 traction? Or indeed, furthest South? If not, that could make the job impossible

 

[Ivo]

That's why I suggested having two drivers in the cab at any one time. There would be one who signs the route, and one who signs the traction. Both could help the other to ensure the plan goes through without any trouble.

 

[ainsworth74]

There would definitely need to be a route conductor at various parts of the trip. Certainly for probably all of Scotland as Scotrail don't operate any Pacer variants and haven't since Pacers were first introduced (and even then I think only a trial that was deemed unsuccessful). Down south FGW do have 142s but I'm not sure how far the drivers that drive them sign so again could well need a route conductor for part of the way to Penzance.

 

[strange6]

That's why I suggested having two drivers in the cab at any one time. There would be one who signs the route, and one who signs the traction. Both could help the other to ensure the plan goes through without any trouble.

I also think it would be impossible due to the pacer having to use the WCML / ECML for the journey. You would hold everything up!

 

[NXEA!]

I've heard of FGW 142's reaching Penzance on a few occasions all on weekends though. Its usually TR UK which reports workings like this.

 

[Ivo]

I also think it would be impossible due to the pacer having to use the WCML / ECML for the journey. You would hold everything up!

It wouldn't need to though. Look back at the earlier posts in the thread for *scenic* alternatives to these two. And as I said before, make a point of running on a Sunday, when there are fewer trains about to hold up.

 

[krus_aragon]

On a similar note (long distance pacer journeys) I've wondered about the longest distance journey you could make on pacers in regular service, i.e. could you make it from the North of England to the Southwest on nothing but pacers?

Shrewsbury to Bristol can be done via Swansea (depending on diagrams). Is there a regular diagram from Shrewsbury to Crewe/Stockport perchance?

 

[yorksrob]

Where on the route can toilet cleans, and refuelling if it does turn out to be necessary, take place? Obviously it wouldn't be recommended at a station like New Street, which is too busy, or Cheltenham Spa, where you would have to go out of the way and then block traffic when returning to resume the journey?

If we took a hosepipe, I'd have thought anywhere with a tap would do.

 

[strange6]

If we took a hosepipe, I'd have thought anywhere with a tap would do.

I think we're all agreed that this would be quite a challenge if we pulled it off! (in signallers terms!)