‘Skipper’makes a welcome Devon return

CLASS 142 ‘Pacer’ No. 142023 has been bought for preservation by the Plym Valley Railway (PVR), returning a ‘Skipper’ to the West Country.

It was unloaded at the line’s Marsh Mills headquarters in Plymouth on January 26 after a long journey from Heaton depot, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The two car set is one of the original ‘Skippers’ which worked services in Devon and Cornwall during the 1980s. In common with many other heritage lines, the PVR said the acquisition of the ‘Pacer’ will allow it to operate lowcost passenger services on off-peak days.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that a solitary Welsh Class 142 has been secured for preservation. Details of the new owner of No. 142006 remained to be confirmed as we closed for press. The final Welsh Class 142 for disposal, No. 142085, was despatched from Swansea’s Landore depot for scrapping at Sims Metals in Newport on February 4.