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

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

Is there anywhere on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) local network that isnt suffering from overcrowding?

[Lee]

Let's face it Exeter is only going to have 6 142s and I doubt if they dare rely on more than 4 being serviceable at any one time. The other 6 will be based in Bristol for use on the Severn Beach line I believe but confirmation would be appreciated.

If Class 142 units do end up in Bristol for use on the Severn Beach Line , then even reliability permitting , I doubt that as many as 6 will be required.

If anyone knows more on this though , feel free to correct me.

[commutatron]

And does anybody who commutes in the SW give a toss whats happening up north.

Are the north complaining about 142s?

No

* SPITS coffee out all over keyboard * 

Sorry, I just had to respond to this comment - obviously I can't speak for everyone 'up north' but in common with the rest of the country (maybe the world) the general feeling is a loathing of Class 142s!

A collective groan can be heard at Manchester Deansgate station as the evening communters wait expectantly for their train home and realise what the approaching screeching noise means - overcrowding in the sardine special. Unfortunately for some of us we also have the added displeasure of Merseyrails hepatic yellow livery which doesn't help.

It's a huge relief when a 150 appears as at least you know the standing will be more comfortable or you may be able to sit in the toilet for part of the journey.

I'm shocked these things are heading anywhere other than the scrapyard and offer my condolences to any commuters using them.

At least one of the 142s around here have been re-painted into Northern Rails newish purple livery which means:

(a) They will be around a few years longer
(b) The re-paint should make them twice as strong

[Conner]

Logic please. 142s have fewer seats than a 150 and two 142s have only a eleven more seats than a 150+153 combination. Seatingwise two 142s are better than a single 150 but I understand that only one train is to have this enhancement on the Exmouth Branch. Ye big deal. Let's face it Exeter is only going to have 6 142s and I doubt if they dare rely on more than 4 being serviceable at any one time. The other 6 will be based in Bristol for use on the Severn Beach line I believe but confirmation would be appreciated.

Yes we need more capacity on the Exmouth Branch peak services but, even ignoring all reliability issues, 142s are just not the answer. Even FGW^▸ (First Great Western) don't want them but, mainly due to their own incompetance, they have been DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) stuffed.

TJ

142's are only supposed to be used as two units couled together or with other units.

[grahame]

Sorry, I just had to respond to this comment - obviously I can't speak for everyone 'up north' but in common with the rest of the country (maybe the world) the general feeling is a loathing of Class 142s!

A collective groan can be heard at Manchester Deansgate station as the evening communters wait expectantly for their train home ....

Correction much appreciated, thank you.  Since this board is primarily relating to First Great Western, it's populated by people who live and travel in the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) area and screams of disgust from Manchester about class 142 units don't necessarily make it this far.

But I do know somewhere they would be welcome. Father Christmas travelled on a Class 143 from Swindon at 17:50 on 9th December last .... but that train never ran again, and there's now a gap in services on the Westbury line between 15:19 and 20:52.  Shoppers, Soccer fans, and Father Christmas all feel that a 142 would be FAR better than the current nothing!

[vacman]

And does anybody who commutes in the SW give a toss whats happening up north.

Are the north complaining about 142s?

No

* SPITS coffee out all over keyboard * 

Sorry, I just had to respond to this comment - obviously I can't speak for everyone 'up north' but in common with the rest of the country (maybe the world) the general feeling is a loathing of Class 142s!

A collective groan can be heard at Manchester Deansgate station as the evening communters wait expectantly for their train home and realise what the approaching screeching noise means - overcrowding in the sardine special. Unfortunately for some of us we also have the added displeasure of Merseyrails hepatic yellow livery which doesn't help.

It's a huge relief when a 150 appears as at least you know the standing will be more comfortable or you may be able to sit in the toilet for part of the journey.

I'm shocked these things are heading anywhere other than the scrapyard and offer my condolences to any commuters using them.

At least one of the 142s around here have been re-painted into Northern Rails newish purple livery which means:

(a) They will be around a few years longer
(b) The re-paint should make them twice as strong

Well thats ok, you lot will have our nice 158's soon, the same 158's that have been based in the region since they were built! enjoy them wont you!

[TJ]

142's are only supposed to be used as two units couled together or with other units.

Coupled with other units? I understand that an unsucessful attempt has already been made at Exeter to couple a 142 to a 153. Not surprising considering that back in the eighties BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) banned the coupling of 142s to 155s except for 'line clearance' and then only subject to a 30mph restriction. It is assumed that 153s (ex 155s) are equally susceptible to whatever the problem was?

--
TJ

[Conner]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) originally said 142's will only be used coupled to other units or as two coupled together because of the capacity difference. 142's can be coupled to 15x's or 14x's but not 155's xmth said but maybe the non-original cab end would be compatable.

[vacman]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) originally said 142's will only be used coupled to other units or as two coupled together because of the capacity difference. 142's can be coupled to 15x's or 14x's but not 155's xmth said but maybe the non-original cab end would be compatable.

142's are compatible with the entire "west" fleet, they all have BSI^▸ (British Standards Institute) couplings.

[vacman]

A 142 was in Plymouth today, worked down from Exeter probably on a training run or summit, thought they weren't meant to be coming west of Newton Abbot??

[devon_metro]

Good news.

As much route availability as possible please and keep them away from Paignton!

[vacman]

Good news.

As much route availability as possible please and keep them away from Paignton!

hmmmm Paignton-Exmouth might seem bad but Bristol-Penzance is somethin else! 4 1/2 hours on a bus seat? no thanks!

[gaf71]

Let's face it Exeter is only going to have 6 142s and I doubt if they dare rely on more than 4 being serviceable at any one time. The other 6 will be based in Bristol for use on the Severn Beach line I believe but confirmation would be appreciated.

If Class 142 units do end up in Bristol for use on the Severn Beach Line , then even reliability permitting , I doubt that as many as 6 will be required.

If anyone knows more on this though , feel free to correct me.

As far as i've heard all 12 are coming to Exeter, and regarding the Exmouth line the problem is not about what the 142s can couple to, but about the platform length on the upside at St James' Park, because obviously 2 units coupled are too long, and with no through access for the guard to operate local door only(which on a 142 is single leaf opening anyway; so no wheelchair, buggy,bikes etc)

There is a rumour that the platform will be lengthened using the unused platform at Polsloe Bridge, which would solve these problems. Hope this helps

[devon_metro]

Obviously that route is silly, they can only just about max out at 75 as it is let alone work a booked 90mph diagram!

[devon_metro]

Or specify front unit only for SJP!