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

[whole diary]

[martyjon]

The 12 class 142 pacers FGW^▸ (First Great Western) intend to lease will be used on Devon branchlines.

[martyjon]

I have been advised that the first two class 142 pacers to move to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are being readied at a depot in Manchester for a move to Exeter probably on Sunday. The units being readied are said to be 142001 and 142004. I'l update this post if and when I hear further.

[martyjon]

It is more or less confirmed that the first two class 142 pacers coming to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will arrive at Exeter on Sunday after running from Newton Heath depot in Manchester via Chester and the Welsh Marches line through Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Abergavenny. The plan is for the units to arrive about 1900 hours and will comprise of units 142001 and 142064 and not the previously announced 142004 which is due a routine examination. The two units will be used for staff familiarisation and training in the runup to the December timetable change.

[Scooby]

Oh great, I cant wait to see these vile heaps of junk everywhere while our almost decentish class 158s disapear. Fantastic news!!

As for the 180 Adelante, they DO go off lease in May 2008, Mr Haines is in for a bad time in the press in December methinks, especially with some HST^▸ (High Speed Train) buffet cars vanishing aswell...

[martyjon]

After a false start Class 142 pacers 142001 and 142064 should by now have arrived at their new home, Exeter DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) Depot.

They were due to move on Sunday 23/09/2007, well they did actually start out from Newton Heath Depot in Manchester and got as far as Chester when the move was curtailed.

The move was resumed today (25/09/2007) and they passed through Bristol mid afternoon en route to Exeter.

Northern Stars shining in Exeter tomight.

[Timmer]

And we extend them a very warm western welcome!

They are going to be stars in their own right come december and will be some of the most talked about rolling stock by people who wouldnt normally talk about such things. I bet they made a lovely screeecchhhhh as they went around the bend of Bristol Temple Meads station that their cousins the 143s screeched back at them in delight that they have joined them in providing their own unique journey experience to the long suffering West country commuters.

[TerminalJunkie]

Rumour has it that Network Rail are running a sweepstake on the signalman that has to deal with the first Pacer derailment...

[vacman]

I bet some of the heaps of junk that end up down here were the same units that were sent up country in 1986! the north revolts!

[devon_metro]

More a case of the DafT deciding we don't deserve a decent rail service...

[Lee]

The 12 units being leased by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) from Angel Trains are the following :

142001
142004
142005
142009
142028
142030
142063
142064
142068
142070
142071
142078

If you are wondering what other DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s are sitting in the sidings , generally kicking their heels , then here is a list of those currently in storage , plus the ROSCO^» (Rolling Stock Owning Company - about) and storage location :

Class 153 302 (Angel Trains , Eastleigh Works)
Class 153 308 (Angel Trains , Eastleigh Works)
Class 153 355 (Angel Trains , Eastleigh Works)
Class 153 374 (Angel Trains , Eastleigh Works)
Class 158 772 (Porterbrook Leasing , Doncaster)
Class 159 011 (Porterbrook Leasing , Doncaster)
Class 165 167 (Angel Trains , Crewe)

[Timmer]

Interesting that those 153s are still stored at Eastleigh. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could do with them back at the moment as they have caught that nasty bug from last December/January of running short formed peak hour services which has continued today. Either that or get those 142s into service sooner rather than later. Better than having a short or no service at all.

Have FGW over stretched their fleet by sending too many sets away for refurbishment leaving very little slack in the fleet for maintainance issues?

[Conner]

I take it the 159+158 are totally unusable because they are the most popular older DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s.

[Timmer]

I take it the 159+158 are totally unusable because they are the most popular older DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s.

Yes thats why they are taking 12 of our sets and giving them to Northern in return for their 142s that they dont want anymore.

[Jim]

I take it the 159+158 are totally unusable because they are the most popular older DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s.

The 159 caught light, not sure about the 158 though

[martyjon]

I am informed that 142064's wheelsets have that much tyre left that the wheelsets will have to be replaced before they enter service and will probably have to be roaded somewhere for replacements to be fitted as there is no suitable facilities at Exeter Depot to carry out the work. That would probably explain why test runs to Dawlish Warren and back from Exeter, and to Okehampton and back were both cancelled.