Class 142 Pacers in service on Devon branch lines, 2007 to 2011 - merged topic

[whole diary]

[polymath]

At a meeting of user groups and Devon County Council last night it was announced by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) that the last day of operation for 142's out of Exeter would be Sunday 27th November. Can I hear the sound of cheering?

[grahame]

Can I hear the sound of cheering?

Maybe, in some parts.   But what a pity that Exeter Depot, who have got so much praise for the TLC^▸ (three letter code, or tender loving care, depending on context ) they have given these units, can't continue to provide that TLC for them to operate desparately needed services such as an 04:30 to Yeovil Junction, Pen Mill, Westbury and Swindon (arr 07:02) and an 05:45 (arr 08:18) ... with return services off Swindon at 18:19 and 22:07.  And I just happen to have a service that they could run the rest of the day in Wiltshire, with a benefit / cost ratio of 2.74:1, case fully made; indeed the timings I've given provide stock runs in and out of that, and an extra Yeovil / Castle Cary / Bruton / Frome direct to Swindon commuter train.

There is, though, one cheer if not three - at least they're not going for scrap as some of the old LT electrics are.

[anthony215]

Nice idea.

There was the talk of the farewell tour, with a run into Paddington being suggested by some staff  who want to do it for a laugh and to see the looks on some faces there.

London Midland are doing a farewell tour for their class 150's including some lines they dont normally run passenger trains over. I can't find the link for this but there is a london midland farewell class 150 page on facebook for the members on here who have facebook.

[northwesterntrains]

There was the talk of the farewell tour, with a run into Paddington being suggested by some staff  who want to do it for a laugh and to see the looks on some faces there.

You need to put a 143 on the back and put up signs in the window saying 'First Class' on the 143 with the 142 forming the 'Standard Class.'

[The SprinterMeister]

Nice idea.

There was the talk of the farewell tour, with a run into Paddington being suggested by some staff  who want to do it for a laugh and to see the looks on some faces there.

Go on, you know it makes sense. After all the 142's do have 'London Paddington' on the blind, at least the ones with Blinds in do....

[eightf48544]

Plus it would need to be standing room only from Reading.

[Andy]

Like the idea. Alternatively, they could do a farewell tour along the Folkestone harbour branch - and just keep going! They wouldn't make it back up the incline anyway 

[phile]

If there is no 142 Farewell Tour, LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) have arranged a Farewell 150 Tour on 12th November

[The SprinterMeister]

If there is no 142 Farewell Tour, LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) have arranged a Farewell 150 Tour on 12th November

Last I heard there was going to be a 142 farewell tour on 27-11-2011, not sure if thats still occurring though.

142029 and 142064 off back to 'Pie&PeaRail' tomorrow (21-10-2011) as I understand it. 5Z42 EX-NH.

[Wolvercote Wanderer]

142029 and 142064 off back to 'Pie&PeaRail' tomorrow (21-10-2011) as I understand it. 5Z42 EX-NH.

Both 142029/064 are at Exeter Depot as of 20:00 tonight.

[Umberleigh]

Good riddance to these awful, awful 'trains'.

They look cr*p, the seats are little better than park benches, they are draughty, noisy and uncomfortable.

Now can we do away with the 3+2 seating on the replacement units, please? Or, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) can keep it in place if they can prove that 3 average size human adults are able to sit on a '3' without an indecent act ( ) being unwittingly committed...

[anthony215]

Yes I have heard that there will be a farewell tour on the 27th october, no one has confirmed it though.

If I do get any confirmed information, timings etc I will post them here.

Hopefully  we will find out  more informationm asap, especially so i can book some coach tickets up to London if a pacer is going to Paddington. (I just want to see the looks on  the faces  of passengers and staff when 1 rolls into paddigton station.)

[RichardB]

From what I have heard - yes, there will definitely be the farewell tour on 27 November but no, it's not going to Paddington.  From what I've heard, it'll be a tour of Devon.

[LiskeardRich]

I've heard a 142 went to swindon this morning in place of the 0510 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) ex Plymouth, 142 ran Exeter to Swindon, can anyone confirm or deny this?

[anthony215]

Confirmed, I dont know what unit number it was. I think a majority of London passengers  at exeter  etc were encouraged to travel  on the hst following behind which went via the Berk & Hants route.