Win a Pacer ( T & Cs apply!)

[Glenn1969]

They would be excellent as heritage DMUs. Definitely not in someone's back garden though- not sure if that competition is a good idea

 

[hooverboy]

There’s probably a market for some sort of boutique converted Pacer hotel.

air b"n" b???..serviced apartments,delivered to order!

 

[hooverboy]

Loser gets awarded the opportunity to run the Northern Rail franchise!

it's the oop north northern pacer caravan park!!!

or down south northern pacer caravan park if the house prices remain as insane as they are.
narrowboats fetch a few quid in london these days,why not heritage trains.

 

[pdeaves]

narrowboats fetch a few quid in london these days,why not heritage trains.

Silly thought. Narrowboats moor somewhere for a while then move on to the next place. Could this be a train equivalent? Spend a few weeks living out the back of Toton depot, then one night move on to a siding in Bescot depot for a bit...

 

[Cowley]

Silly thought. Narrowboats moor somewhere for a while then move on to the next place. Could this be a train equivalent? Spend a few weeks living out the back of Toton depot, then one night move on to a siding in Bescot depot for a bit...

There must be a redundant set of sidings somewhere where a load of bohemian railway enthusiasts could set up home in withdrawn Pacers, with washing lines strung up all over the place, broken washing machines and semi wild dogs wandering about?

 

[Jozhua]

I say been as the south very generously gave Northern their old 319 EMU's, we give the fleet of Pacers to the Thameslink franchise

 

[thejuggler]

Having suffered one this morning I'd happily see them all used for crash testing.

 

[mallard]

Did the DfT find a mis-filed April fools joke or something?

Train carriages (especially those built to British loading gauge, especially those that are only 15.5m long) are far too small to be used as a "hall" of any kind. While I've been to a few cafes/restaurants that use old rolling stock for part of their seating area, again, a 15.5m vehicle made from 1980s bus components is hardly suitable.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I say been as the south very generously gave Northern their old 319 EMU's, we give the fleet of Pacers to the Thameslink franchise

Ha Ha, That would be a "Bouncy" journey wouldn't it, Bedford to Brighton on a pacer?. Especially if moving fast over several sets of points/junctions.

 

[hwl]

Wouldn't surprise me if they have asbestos somewhere.

Made 25 years after BR stopped using asbestos.

 

[eastdyke]

They would be excellent as heritage DMUs. Definitely not in someone's back garden though- not sure if that competition is a good idea

I was thinking more front garden - on the obligatory piles of bricks

 

[Andrew Holland]

Is this another crackpot idea from failing Grayling? Built cheaply in the mid 80s, with a design life of 15 years, the only thing that should happen to them is to be turned into thousands of commemorative tankards and given to long suffering commuters in recognition of successive government (both Tory & Labour) failure to invest in the north and replace them years ago!

But it's funny isn't it, class 142 1980s Pacer trains that are no longer wanted up north, recycled into something else for northerners. Class 319 1980s trains no longer wanted in London, recycled as trains to replace Pacers! Government is at least consistent at keeping old stuff in the north!

Wonder when a similar idea is going to be announced for the 313s...

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was thinking more front garden - on the obligatory piles of bricks

It might actually be that the underframed construction make it easier to set it on bricks or a similar support.

 

[mpthomson]

Is this another crackpot idea from failing Grayling? Built cheaply in the mid 80s, with a design life of 15 years, the only thing that should happen to them is to be turned into thousands of commemorative tankards and given to long suffering commuters in recognition of successive government (both Tory & Labour) failure to invest in the north and replace them years ago!

But it's funny isn't it, class 142 1980s Pacer trains that are no longer wanted up north, recycled into something else for northerners. Class 319 1980s trains no longer wanted in London, recycled as trains to replace Pacers! Government is at least consistent at keeping old stuff in the north!

Wonder when a similar idea is going to be announced for the 313s...

I'm sure this idea has never been anywhere near Grayling.

 

[Andrew Holland]

I'm sure this idea has never been anywhere near Grayling.

I'd hope not, I'm half expecting him to come out with a reassurance to stop folk in NI worrying about Brexit by telling them it will be great for the shipbuilding industry "yes, once we're free of the EU we can build great ships again, we'll build our own Titanic II, it will be fantastic!"...

 

[Cross Man]

I suggest that a Merseyrail 142, totally unrefurbished, is donated as a personal train for Grayling and his lackys to use to travel the network. First journey non stop Penzance to Inverness

 

[323 Class]

You could get a fleet of them on rails in a field and open a Garden centre or they could be an alternative to the polytunnels.

 

[Jozhua]

You could get a fleet of them on rails in a field and open a Garden centre or they could be an alternative to the polytunnels.

I like that! Or potentially open a hipster bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter!

 

[Aictos]

Could always convert one to road use and put them on the busways

But seriously, would they not be ideal for preserved railways?

 

[anamyd]

You could put them on platforms as waiting rooms/shelters?

That's actually not a bad idea

 

[anamyd]

Are they not owned by a ROSCO?

Mostly. Angel Trains own all of the 142s and Porterbrook own most of the 143s and all of the 144s. The exception is four of the Welsh 143s, which are for some reason owned by local government/councils in the Cardiff and Valleys area or something like that.

 

[anamyd]

I would hope that a few go to preserved lines. They would be very popular with many enthusiasts who haven't been used to them.

I can see it happening. 141-108, RB004 and 140-001 already exist in heritage land on original Leyland and SCG mechanicals, along with 141-113 on the network-style Cummins and Voith setup. A few more Pacers on lines like those wouldn't hurt

 

[anamyd]

I like that! Or potentially open a hipster bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter!

I like the sound of the bar thing

 

[anamyd]

Some funny stuff going on in here!

 

[PG]

Perhaphs Tfl could convert them for less busy underground services

On a more serious note how about donating to local fire services for (no pun intended) training purposes like what they do with scrap cars.

 

[Jozhua]

Perhaphs Tfl could convert them for less busy underground services

On a more serious note how about donating to local fire services for (no pun intended) training purposes like what they do with scrap cars.

They'd certainly pose a good challenge to get in and out of (As they already do in fact!)

 

[yorksrob]

Damn. I must have missed the competition to win an EPB then

 

[Ianno87]

Perhaphs Tfl could convert them for less busy underground services

Well, they're regular appearers at Mill Hill and Mills Hill....why not Mill Hill East too?

 

[The Ham]

Mad idea - if I was the Mid-Hants Line, I'd try and get one to run a few daily commuter services to connect to SWR at Alton. You'd probably be able to decently fill a 2 car Pacer if the fare is right. Won't be up to Hampshire's standards I must admit

However if the choice of a Pacer or nothing I'd suggest that even those of us in leafy Hampshire would be happy to use them.

 

[Rick1984]

I like the caravan park idea.
142 your basic
143 the medium level
144 the luxury model and the 3 car your 'suite' complete with jacuzzi