Welsh Pacers bow out

MAIN LINE use of the Pacer DMU family came to an end on May 29 with the last day of use for the Transport for Wales Class 143 fleet. The number of sets remaining in service had gradually reduced in the preceding weeks, leaving just 143601 and 143609 available on the final day.

143609 initially worked the 0647 Cardiff to Barry Island with 150257 before the duo went on to visit Radyr, Bridgend and Cardiff Bay through to mid-afternoon. However, while working the 2E15 1616 Radyr to Bridgend, the Class 143 developed a fault with the service being cancelled at Cardiff and the units retired to Canton. This, fittingly, left pioneer 143601 to bring the curtain down on the Pacer’s use on the national rail network, it having spent the day shuttling between Rhymney and Penarth with 150237. Having worked the 2R20 2033 Penarth to Rhymney, they then formed the 2F84 2202 Rhymney-cardiff Central.

While 143601 is earmarked for preservation, along with 143602/06/07/16/22/23/25, no time was wasted in sending the remaining seven units for scrap. The first week of June saw 143605/14/24 removed by road from Landore to Sims Metals at Newport Docks, with 143604/08/10 going the following week. This just left 143609, the former Sir Tom Jones, waiting to make its last journey in mid-june.