Second ‘Pacer’ for Plym Valley Railway

THE Plym Valley Railway has taken delivery of a second ‘Pacer’, No. 143618 arriving at its new home from St Philips Marsh at the end of May. The unit has been acquired from GWR (being one of three sets owned by the franchise, rather than a leasing company), and was one of the last sets to leave Exeter depot on December 30, 2020 after the fleet was stopped earlier in the month.

The arrival of No. 143618 means that the Plym Valley Railway now has examples of both the railbus types which operated in the West Country. Its Class 142, No. 142023, was one of the original ‘Skippers’ which was based a mile or so away at Laira between 1985 and 1987, while the Class 143s began operating in Devon in the 21st century.

A Pacer Pair Running Day has been planned for July 31, when both units will be in service together for the first time. The two ‘Pacers’ will operate singly, as a pair and on Drive a Pacer taster sessions.