Pacer 142055 set to move to Cambrian Heritage Railways

A NEW

home has been secured by The 142055 Group for its second-generation Class 142 Pacer diesel multiple unit after it was asked to move the two-car unit from its current home on the Foxfield Railway ( Railways Illustrated issue 252).

Yet to run in preservation, 142055 has been based on the Staffordshire

heritage line for three and a half years, but a change in policy, and with little prospect of the DMU getting regular use on the railway, Foxfield requested that the owning group moved the Pacer to another home.

Spokesman Simon Thomas told Railways Illustrated that 142055 should arrive at the Cambrian Heritage Railways site at Llynclys at some point during April and expressed his appreciation both to Foxfield and the CHR for their help in relation to the relocation of the unit.

The Pacer is serviceable but still requires some recommissioning work, having not been used since arriving at Foxfield. Volunteers from the owning group have been carrying out regular maintenance on the unit, along with deep cleaning in preparation for its return to service. Following its delivery in September 2020, a planned entry into service at Foxfield was delayed by the pandemic restrictions in place at the time, and the owning group suffered a further setback following vandalism to the unit, which saw many of its window panels smashed. Replacement glazing panels had to be sourced and fitted to the Pacer.

142055 was withdrawn by Northern on February 15, 2020, having spent its final years working in and around Manchester, based at Newton Heath. Following its withdrawal, the unit initially moved from Newton Heath to Heaton for storage, along with classmates 142035/041/047, on February 16. A further move from Heaton to Gascoigne Wood for continued storage followed on March 6, 2020, with 142035/047 also included in the same convoy before its final move from Gascoigne Wood to Foxfield six months later.

The group is also keen to attract more volunteers to assist it with the ongoing preservation and operation of the unit. Anyone who might be interested in offering a home to 142055 should email 142055group@gmail.com for further information.

Martyn Hilbert First and second-generation DMUS stand at Preston Station on July 2, 1988. In Platform 3C, a two-car Class 108 stands alongside Class 142 Pacers 142055 and 142010 in Platform 4C, ready to work a service to Liverpool Lime Street. 142055 is carrying the Provincial blue livery it was delivered to BR in, while 142010 is in the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive orange and tan colours. While 142010 was scrapped following withdrawal, 142055 survives and is shortly due to move to the Cambrian Heritage Railways site at Llynclys.