Heritage News
THE TELFORD Steam Railway has accepted Class 142 Pacers 142004 and 142058, both of which were transported by road from Heaton depot in Newcastle. While 142058 is fitted with the Merseyrail seating upgrades, 142004 has long been a target of preservationists as it is one of those remaining that has the original seating and interior layout, making it suitable for a return to original condition. The arrival of the Class 142s means that Telford now has three Pacers, as it also has 144013. It hopes to use the units as economical traction as its tracks are extended in the direction of Ironbridge.
Another Pacer in the news has been 142094, which has been moved from the Wensleydale Railway to a permanent home at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, near Skipton. The unit is owned by a new organisation, 65A Engineering, and made its first runs at its new home on May 6, when it was gauged to ensure that it fitted all structures and platforms correctly. This is the first time that a multiple unit has run on the line since the departure of several Class 107s ten years ago, although the railway does house the unique 1903 single-coach Autocar which is often used on off-peak services.
There are now 30 Class 142s in private hands, with a few more that have been acquired for static use, and a single Class 143 and 13 Class 144s, making 44 sets in all. It is understood that more units have been designated for preservation, including further Class 143s from the Transport for Wales fleet and at least one more Class 142. However, several examples have been obtained principally as a source of spares, so it is unlikely that all of these will survive in the long term.
An abortive attempt was made to deliver the carcass of Class 144 vehicle 55801 from unit 144001 to its new home at Huddersfield station on May 9. The move was cancelled after difficulties with craning the carriage over the station wall and into position in the former Platform 1 bay, which also houses a long-disused Mk 1 coach.
The coach has been donated to a local community project as part of a Government competition to find new uses for redundant Pacers and is to be fitted with a kitchen once it is in its new position. It had been stripped of all its wheels and running gear at the HNRC facility at Worksop and repainted in a new grey livery for its new use. Its final resting place will be appropriate as 144001 was a regular performer on the Penistone Line, the services from which terminate at the present and adjacent Platform 1.