European Railroad Discussion > Pacer twilight (wot, again?)

It does seem very likely that this coming Friday will see the final miles run by Transport for Wales class 143 Alexander / Barclay 1985 built railbus fleet. Their PRM (persons of reduced mobility) derogation expires at midnight on May 31st and there's no sign TfW will request an extension. So here's a sample of images in their last days. Today four were out, each one accompanying a class 150 to provide additional capacity to ensure social distancing.

Plenty of flange squealing on the section between Radyr and Taff's Well alongside the River Taff.

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I wonder if they will actually go? In the north, I think we had about 6 'Farewell to Pacer' days out before they actually went!! chris uk.

I think this time they really will go, a number have already been ferried to Landore depot, Swansea in preparation for being roaded to Sims in Newport Docks. Their derogation ends on Monday and TfW has not applied for an extension.

A real fun ride on a Pacer was high speed  down the hill from Marsden to Huddersfield, and wondering if it will actually stop in Huddesfield!  chris uk

55002 Wrote:
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> A real fun ride on a Pacer was high speed  down
> the hill from Marsden to Huddersfield, and
> wondering if it will actually stop in
> Huddesfield!  chris uk

Other fast runs that were memorable included the 0930 Leeds-York non stop screaming through Church Fenton.

The run up-to Chathill on the Metro Centre-Chathill service after sitting in Morpeth loop waiting the HST to pass.

The notorious 2221 Newcastle-Darlington (2x142) service which was wide open after dropping off the drunks in Durham. Driven by a York man desperate to get home!!

Also 142’s on the Tyne Valley ‘fast’ turns and 142’s on the York-Hulls.

Away from Northern Rail I enjoyed hossing along the banks of the River Severn on the Cheltenham - Maesteg’s
and bouncing up to Barnstaple from Exeter.

Englishman in America

Posted from iPhone

Happy memories of fast Pacers. One last one was the non-stop from Leeds to Wakefield Westgate, downhill from Ardsley Tunnel. chris uk

55002 Wrote:
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> Happy memories of fast Pacers. One last one was
> the non-stop from Leeds to Wakefield Westgate,
> downhill from Ardsley Tunnel. chris uk

Last year in the post-Covid lockdown timetable TfW ran services from Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil non-stop over the 12 miles from Pontypridd to Cardiff Queen Street. That was fun in a pair of 142s!