Date: 05/02/2018

Rail operator Northern is replacing its 30-year-old Pacers with new trains. The 98-strong fleet will come into service by Christmas and are capable of travelling at 100mph (160 km/h), will be fully accessible, and have wi-fi and plug sockets. The first completed train is due off the production line in Zaragoza, Spain in the coming weeks. Northern's managing director said it was a 'landmark moment' for rail travel in the north of England. David Brown added the '21st Century trains' will 'significantly improve journeys'. Once completed the new units will be sent to the Czech Republic for testing, before further trials in the UK. They are being introduced as part of a programme which has also seen more than 70 trains refurbished.

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New train fleet to replace Pacers

BBC News

Northern will replace the 1980s Pacers in the north of England with 98 new trains.

Related images

Northern Pacer unit 142095 unusually stands in platform 3 about to work 2C43, a Carlisle to Barrow service. The normal bay platform 2 was occupied by a class 156 dmu.
Location: Carlisle
Company: Caledonian Railway
09/04/2016 Ken Browne

Most trains from Manchester continue through Blackburn to Clitheroe but a few turn back there using bay Platform 3. Northern Pacer 142047 arrives in the bay on 23 July and will head south towards Bolton again in a few minutes.
Location: Blackburn
Company: Blackburn and Preston Railway
23/07/2011 Mark Bartlett

Northern pacer 142014, photographed approaching Johnstone on 27 February, on its way to Glasgow Works for overhaul. The 142 units use the G&SW route as they are banned from using part of the West Coast Main Line
Location: Johnstone
Company: Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
27/02/2008 Graham Morgan