Class 141 Pacer joins Margate museum collection

CLASS 141 Pacer No. 141108 is to join the One: One Collection for display at Hornby's former distribution warehouse in Margate. The set is now one of just two survivors of the class in Britain.

Confirming set No. 141108 is still with Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh Works, a spokesman for Locomotive Services Limited ( LSL) told Heritage Railway:" lt will only be cosmetically restored and will be painted an appropriate regional livery- the decision as to which one remains to be finalised. It will then go to Margate for eventual display:'

The spokesman also confirmed there have been no further arrivals in terms of rolling stock at Margate since Eurostar power car No. 373304 along with a first class carriage were delivered in January.

Class 60 No. 60081 / sambard Kingdom Brunel remains at DB Cargo's Taton depot, where it is awaiting cosmetic restoration by the freight train operator prior to moving for display in Margate. The GWR green locomotive was withdrawn in April 2005 after a catastrophic engine failure.

According to the Railcar Association website, No. 141108 became the first production second generation DMU to operate in preservation when it returned to action in October 2002 at the Mid- Norfolk Railway. However, the set was later deemed unsuitable for the line, and in 2005 No. 141108 was relocated to the Caine Valley Railway, under custodianship of Caine Valley Diesels Ltd. Some restoration work was completed and the set re- entered service in July 2006. The following year No. 141108 was sold to custodians Caine Valley Diesels Ltd.

In June 2010, No. 141108was repainted into a non- standard blue and grey livery. However, reliability was poor, with the unit suffering from electrical issues, which led to its withdrawal.

After it failed to find a buyer, repairs were completed and No. 141108 returned to service in spring 2018. However, reliability issues plagued the set again and it was returned to the market. This time it was bought by LSL.

With No. 141108 unlikely to return to action, the sole operational Class 141 in Britain,

No. 141113, can be found atthe Midland Railway- Butterley. Owned by Llangollen Railcars Limited, it carries West Yorkshire PTE Metrotrain Red and sees regular use. Vehicles from Nos. 141103/ 10 Weardale Railway were all scrapped by 2018.

No. 141108 Hedingham Colne Valley Railway on March 24, 2018. PAUL BICKERDYKE

Right: T he first movement on the Chasewater Railway since the coronavirus lockdown began in March saw Class 142 Pacer No. 142030 on a May 24 early morning test run. The purpose was to check the line, the Pacer itself and to begin a process to ensure everything and everyone is ready for when some form of running can be achieved. No. 142030 is seen arriving back at Brownhills West. ALISTAIRG RIEVE