Date: 07/02/2015

They are 30 years old, they were supposed to be temporary, and yet northern rail passengers find themselves rattling along inside them on a regular basis.
They are Pacer trains, introduced on to our railways in the 1980s as a quick fix for the lack of rolling stock. They are basically the body of a bus with train wheels bolted on.
They currently run on routes in Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Teesside, Northumberland and Cumbria.

External links

Life left in 30-year-old Pacer trains

BBC News

The Prime Minister said they were history but 30-year-old Pacer trains may not disappear from the North's railways

Related images

What better backdrop for a bouncing Nodding Donkey than Blackpool's Big Dipper and Grand National roller coasters. Pacer 142045 sets off on the last short leg to the end of the branch on 5th May 2009. There are 25 stations between Colne and Blackpool South and journeys take around one hour fifty minutes meaning four units can maintain the weekday hourly services.
Location: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Company: Blackpool and Lytham Railway
05/05/2009 Mark Bartlett

Pacer 142083 climbs the significant gradient out of Tonypandy on 15 September 2011 as it approaches Llwynypia station with the 14.36 Cardiff Central -Treherbert.
Location: Llwynypia
Company: Rhondda Valley Branches (Taff Vale Railway)
15/09/2011 David Pesterfield

Class 142 DMU stands at Barnstaple on a balmy evening in September 1985.
Location: Barnstaple
Company: North Devon Railway and Dock
/09/1985 Ian Dinmore

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Tags: x Pacer