Fagley School receives second pacer vehicle

THE SECOND of several ‘Pacer’ units that are destined for community use has been delivered to Fagley Primary School in Bradford, where it will be used for science learning. Class 144 vehicle 55808 from set 144008 was craned into position at the end of March after making a journey by road from the Harry Needle facility at Worksop in Nottinghamshire. The coach has been stripped of all its mechanical and underfloor components, along with its seats, although the cab remains intact with its controls. Inside it has been fitted with long benches that will provide working space for students.

The coach is the first of a number of similar vehicles that have been donated by Porterbrook Leasing and allocated as part of the Government’s ‘Transform a Pacer’ competition. Others are due to be delivered to Airedale Hospital for medical use and also to Huddersfield Station, with the units involved including prototype 144001.

At Fagley, the Pacer has been installed on a short length of track that has been donated by Network Rail and it is hoped that it will come into use later in the year. Its sister coach, 55831, was donated to the Corby & District Model Railway Society some time ago. Several other similar units remain at Worksop with an uncertain future, including 144012, which was fitted with upgraded disabled facilities five years ago.