Former Transport for Wales ‘142s’ make their final trips

Scrapping of former Transport for Wales Class 142s is under way, while the final stored examples have left Cardiff Canton for the final time.

The two-car Pacer diesel multiple units were used on the Valley Lines and should have been withdrawn by the end of 2019, as they did not meet disability regulations that came into force on January 1 2020. However, TfW received government dispensation to continue using the 15 Class 142s (as well as 15 Class 143s) until the end of 2020 because their replacements were not ready.

Following the introduction of Class 769 FLEX bi-mode units, along with Class 153s cascaded from other operators, TfW was able to withdraw its ‘142s’. The ‘143s’ can remain in traffic until May 31.

On January 22, 142010 was the final ex-TfW Class 142 to leave the Welsh capital when it ran under its own power to Chrysalis Rail’s Landore depot (Swansea), paired with 143605.

The former will be stripped of components before being sent by road to Sims Metals at Newport Docks for scrapping. It follows classmates 142002/073/074/076/ 082, which were all dispatched to Newport during the week commencing January 18.

Three ex-Northern Class 142s (142012/079/086) that had been used to provide spares for the TfW fleet have also left Landore for scrap, although this was prior to the latest disposals.

Leading the 0952 Cardiff CantonLandore, former Transport for Wales 142010 leaves the Welsh capital for the final time, heading to the Swansea depot for component recovery.