Date: 25/08/2014

MINISTERS have dumped a flagship pledge to scrap the North’s hated ‘Pacer’ trains, to the fury of MPs and passengers. The decrepit 30-year-old vehicles condemned as “cattle trucks” were due to be replaced as part of a new contract to be introduced on local lines in 2016. But the department for transport (DfT) has admitted to The Northern Echo that Pacers may be “modernised” instead, to keep them running for at least another decade.

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Government U-turn on pledge to scrap hated 'cattle truck' Pacer trains

Northern Echo

MINISTERS have dumped a flagship pledge to scrap the Norths hated Pacer trains, to the fury of MPs and passengers.

Related images

Under the shadow of the Pennines, Pacer unit 142060 arrives in the bay platform at the east end of Rochdale station on 1 October, having travelled from Manchester Victoria via Oldham. This service finishes on 3 October 2009 when the entire Oldham Loop line will close for at least two and a half years to allow conversion to Metrolink tram operation.
Location: Rochdale
Company: Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
01/10/2009 John McIntyre

Pacer 143006 stands at the new Bathgate terminus during an open day held on 23 March 1986, the day before relaunch of the passenger service. Note Cartics in the sidings on the left, an area now occupied by shops. [See image 31158]
Location: Bathgate [3rd]
Company: Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
23/03/1986 David Panton

Pacer number 143603 waits departure from Exmouth with the 13.10 service to Barnstaple on Sunday 21st February 2010.
Location: Exmouth
Company: Exeter and Exmouth Railway
21/02/2010 Michael Gibb