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Pacers: The End

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by DismalChips, May 24, 2018.

  1. 61648

    61648 Member

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    Sounds like a bus replacement service to me.
     
  2. Victor

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    There aren't any 'miserable Yorkshiremen', we are all happy, kind, considerate fellows.:Happy:
    Although I do know one old scrote who was sorely tested yesterday when sorting a problem out with BT, they kept him on hold, listening to crappy 'music', for 70 minutes.:mad:
    "Your call is important to us".:Rage:
    Pacers ? it seems that the only regular Pacer service through Dewsbury at the moment is the hourly Leeds to Southport service (too many stops to mention but there are many, about 25). I always look at the crew on the service and to a man (and a lady) they all look well brassed off.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2019
  3. Victor

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Well, things are looking better oop 'ere in t'Republic, we have lost the Pacers on the Leeds-Huddersfield service, they have been replaced by 3 car 185's courtesy of TP Express, the Southport service now boasts re-furbed 150/156, there's a 3 car 195 on driver training, 330's under t he wires, the Azumas are up and running so all in all, a big improvement. We just need TP's Novas now and we will be happy.
     
  4. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Is this an oxymoron ? I thought Yorkshireman were only only truly happy with a pint of John Smiths and summat to complain about ?
     
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  5. weltrol

    weltrol Part of the furniture Friend

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    Victor would no doubt complain about being happy. As well as a pint of John Smiths.;)
     
  6. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    That was the old John Smiths not the latest eurobrew concoction.
     
  7. Victor

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    If you mention John Smiths again I will report it to the moderators...........especially when I'm having my toast and coffee.......;)
    Hell, it's the start of a slippery slope, next you'll be talking about F*sters.:mad:
     
  8. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    You mentioned the stuff, which none of us give a XXXX for!


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  9. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    The Morecambe train seems to be a mixture of 144s, 150s and 153 (single coach)at the moment.
     
  10. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I was about to raise that, thankfully don't have to go to Leeds that much any more but used to use that train most weeks and never understood why they insisted on using the crappiest and most dreadfully riding class of the fleet on such a long distance train, with much jointed rail!

    Then again the 153's are little better unless you are under 5' tall!
     
  11. baldbof

    baldbof Well-Known Member Friend

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    Just as a matter of interest, have any Pacers actually found their way into the scrapyard since they started to be replaced or are they being secreted away as a "strategic reserve"?
     
  12. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I don't think any have yet been withdrawn as their replacements come on stream - any spare capacity is being used to extend trains instead for the time being.

    But their days are very definitely numbered - the politics of Pacer replacement and the practical impossibility (physical for the 142s, economic for the 144s) of making them compliant with the access requirements that bite in January means that, if they survive the year, it will be on a short stay of execution.

    However, I do know that some will be preserved - 1 at the NRM, and I've seen reports elsewhere of at least one being purchased.
     
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  13. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I think I've read that one is stored out of use and unserviceable on the NW side.

    I think the 155s were the worst of all, gloomy things and terrible seat pitch for tall people. Actually the refurb has improved them more than any of the others.
     
  14. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    155s of course not being "Pacers" but "Super Sprinters" (with the 156s)
     
  15. Cartman

    Cartman Well-Known Member Account Suspended

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    I had a pacer ride today, back from Stockport to Handforth on a 142. On time, decent view, got a seat, reasonable ride on the continuous welded track. What's everyone's problem?
     
  16. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    I think its just N.R. whos got the problem with their mordernisation schemes about pacers personally i like the growl of the engines when going at speed up gradients or the noise of the flanges screeching round sharp furlongs of track, but a bit nippy in cold weather on one in winter and can buck a little going at speed on a pacer sometimes i came home on one from sheffield last year in summer and it had to wait at penistone cos its engine had overheated.
     
  17. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Shortly after their introduction, the Liverpool Area Manager arranged the hire of 142002 to run a shuttle service from Southport station to Steamport platform during an Exhibition Weekend. Drivers reported the poor riding qualities BUT noted that the trackwork within the Steamport site gave a better ride than the trackwork on the national network suggesting that the problems lie less with the vehicles but more with the trackwork that they run on. For an interesting ride I find the length between Burscough Bridge and Pool Hey Crossing (on the outskirts of Southport) one to try.
     
  18. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    They are cramped, not enough leg room, noisy, cold in winter and way past their sell by date. Often on busy turns on the CLC Chester Manchester run, a 4 coach train of a Pacer and a Sprinter is rammed in the latter part whilst plenty of space in the former, shows that the general public are aware of the difference.
     
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  19. Victor

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Folk who are getting all teary eyed for the b loody things should try standing room only on the 15:05 pm Carlisle - Leeds 0n a 2 car 142, I know, I've been there.:Arghh:

    The wimmin like them however on the Leeds -Morcambe, when they get bouncing on the jointed track the wimmin get a 'cozy' feeling.[​IMG]

    Preserve one set..........burn the rest.
     
  20. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Would that the same feeling they get when riding pillion on a motor bike ?
     

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