British Rail Class 142
British Rail Class 142 Pacer | |
---|---|
Transport for Wales 142076 at Cardiff Central in May 2019 | |
![]() The interior of an Arriva Trains Wales Class 142 in March 2013 | |
In service | 1985–2020 |
Manufacturer | British Rail Engineering Limited, Derby Litchurch Lane Works Leyland Bus |
Order no. |
|
Family name | Pacer |
Constructed | 1985 (142001–050) 1986–1987 (142051–096)[2] |
Entered service | 1985–87 |
Refurbished |
|
Number built | 96 units |
Number preserved | 26 units |
Number scrapped | 52 units |
Formation |
|
Diagram | |
Fleet numbers | |
Capacity |
|
Specifications | |
Car body construction | Steel underframe. Aluminium alloy body and roof. |
Car length | 15.55 m (51 ft 1⁄4 in)[2] |
Width | 2.8 m (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in)[2] |
Height | 3.86 m (12 ft 8 in)[2] |
Articulated sections | 2, flexible diaphragm[4] within unit only |
Wheelbase | 9 m (29 ft 6+3⁄8 in)[4] |
Maximum speed | 75 mph (120 km/h)[2] |
Weight | 24.5 t (24.1 long tons; 27.0 short tons) per vehicle |
Prime mover(s) | one per car: Cummins LTA10-R[6] (Originally fitted with Leyland TL11)[2] |
Engine type | 6-cylinder 10-litre[6] (Originally 6-cylinder 11.1-litre)[2] turbo-Diesel |
Power output | Cummins: 225 hp (168 kW) at 2100 rpm[6] Leyland: 205 hp (150 kW) at 1950 rpm[2] |
Transmission | Voith T211r two-stage hydraulic[2]
(originally SCG 4-speed mechanical) |
Train heating |
|
Braking system(s) | Air[4] |
Safety system(s) | AWS,[4] TPWS |
Coupling system | BSI[7] |
Multiple working | Classes 14x, 15x and 170[2] |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 142 diesel multiple-unit passenger railbuses were built for British Rail (BR) from 1985 to 1987. The class were built with a high level of commonality with the widely-used Leyland National bus. They are part of the Pacer family of railbuses. The last set was withdrawn from service in 2020.
Background[]
By the beginning of the 1980s, British Rail (BR) operated a large fleet of first-generation DMUs, which had been constructed in prior decades to various designs.[8] While formulating its long-term strategy for this sector of its operations, British Rail planners recognised that considerable costs would be incurred by undertaking refurbishment programmes necessary for the continued use of these ageing multiple units, particularly due to the necessity of handling and removing hazardous materials such as asbestos. In the light of the high costs involved in retention, planners examined the prospects for the development and introduction of a new generation of DMUs to succeed the first generation.[9]
In the concept stage, two separate approaches were devised, one involving a so-called railbus that prioritised the minimisation of both initial (procurement) and ongoing (maintenance & operational) costs, while the second was a more substantial DMU that could deliver better performance than the existing fleet, particularly when it came to long-distance services.[9] While the more ambitious latter requirement would ultimately lead to the development of the British Rail Class 151 and the wider Sprinter family of DMUs, BR officials recognised that a cheaper unit was desirable for service on the smaller branch lines that would not be unduly impacted by lower performance specs or a high-density configuration. Work to progress both approaches was therefore undertaken by BR's research department during the early 1980s.[9]
During this period, a number of prototypes were constructed to explore different designs and approaches for implementing the railbus concept. One such vehicle was a single two-car unit, designated Class 140, built between 1979 and 1981.[10] This prototype was introduced with much fanfare in June 1981.[10] Initial testing with the Class 140 uncovered several problems, such as difficulty detecting the type via track circuits. This was reliably resolved by changing the material of the brake blocks from a composite to iron.[9] Two less easily addressable drawbacks were the high level of noise generated during transit, particularly on older jointed rails, a consequence of the railbus's direct connection between the underframe and suspension with the body that transmitted impact forces across the body. It was also observed that the inclusion of strengthening members in the mass-produced bus body added significantly to the overall production cost, which eliminated much of the cost advantage that was the primary goal of the type.[9]
The Class 140 was deemed an overall success, so BR issued an order for an initial production model, designated Class 141, to British Leyland during 1984.[9] During its early years of service, the Class 141 experienced numerous problems, particularly with the transmission and ride quality; work undertaken by BR resulted in the quick development of numerous improvements to at least partially address these shortcomings. When it came to ordering more railbuses, however, it was decided that instead of placing these follow-on orders for further Class 141, it would be more desirable to procure improved derivatives of the Class 141.[9] Accordingly, BR placed orders for two new models of the Pacer family with separate manufacturers, these being the Class 142 and the Class 143.[9]
Design[]
The Class 142 shared a high degree of similarity to the design of the Class 141. However, one major area of change is that both the Class 142 and Class 143 featured a noticeably wider body, instead of adhering to the width of the standard bus as per the Class 141; specifically, the width was expanded to the maximum amount permissible to remain within the loading gauge.[9] This resulted in an increased internal area to accommodate passengers within, enabling a three-by-two seating arrangement to be installed for a total maximum capacity of 121 seats per set. The increased seating was particularly useful as, in addition to their use on rural feeder services, the Class 142's use on short range urban services had been foreseen by BR planners.[9] Each unit has a seating capacity of any number between 102[5] and 121 passengers per two-car set. In theory, there should be 106 or 121 seats per unit.[11]
Both the bodies and underframes were designed for interchangeability, as had been specified by BR. To achieve this, they were manufactured upon jigs.[9] They had been designed so that the entire body could be replaced during a mid-life refurbishment/reconstruction, and that the replacement body would not be limited to the exact same dimensions either. The underframe area, in addition to its structural role, accommodated all of the propulsion apparatus along with the majority of electrical gear.[9] As a cost-saving measure, the manufacturers were directly to make use of road bus-standard equipment in several areas, including passenger fittings and the general cab layout, along with other areas wherever possible;[9][12][13] Unlike the Class 141, which featured automotive-standard wiring for the traction equipment with resulting poor performance, railway-grade wiring for the traction and braking circuits was mandated by BR for both the Class 142 and Class 143 to yield greater reliability.[9]
As originally built, the traction arrangement of the Class 142 consisted of a Leyland TL11 200 HP engine, a Self-Changing Gears mechanical automatic gearbox and a Gmeinder final drive unit on each car driving only a single axle.[14] This propulsion arrangement was in part taken from the Leyland National bus, as well as shared with the earlier Class 141.[9] Unlike the Class 141, a microprocessor-based controller for the automatic transmission was used from the onset, allowing the reliability issues posed by defective relay logic and poor earthing present on the predecessor to be entirely avoided. Another improvement was the installation of auto-couplers and auto-connectors that enabled the Class 142 to work in multiple with the Class 150 Sprinter DMUs.[9] The Class 142 is fitted with double-folding external doors, identical to the preceding Class 141. Each car has a fuel capacity of 125 gallons.[15]
Both axles (one driving per coach at the inner end) were fitted directly to the chassis rather than being mounted on bogies, unlike traditional DMUs. This uncommon arrangement has been attributed with resulting in the Class 141 units possessing a relatively rough ride, especially when traversing jointed track or points. Their combatively poor ride quality has been said to be a major factor in the type's general unpopularity amongst passengers.[16] As a positive result from BR's experiences with the Class 141, the Class 142 featured an improved suspension arrangement to enhance passenger comfort, this consisted of a wider spring base and double dampers being installed, features that had been deemed necessary by BR to provide sufficient levels of performance, and had been retrofitted onto all of the older Class 141s as well.[9]
Excessive flange squeal on tight curves has been a problem on many routes operated by the Class 142.[17] caused by the long wheelbase and lack of bogies.
Upgrades and refurbishments[]
Starting in the early 1990s, every member of the class was mechanically upgraded due to the original parts starting to fail. Accordingly, each car was refitted with a more powerful Cummins L10 series engine – 230 bhp per car, which equals 460 bhp (340 kW) per twin-car unit – and Voith T211r two-stage hydraulic transmission, starting with a torque converter which switches to fluid coupling drive once the unit is up to 45 mph (72 km/h).[18] All units were fitted with new Voith transmission by late 1991 and Cummins engines were fitted between 1993 and 1996 to improve reliability. This change has proven to have been largely successful, although isolated failures have occurred, such as when a Northern Rail unit derailed en route from Blackpool to Liverpool in June 2009 due to a cardan shaft failure.[19]
Operations[]
British Rail Provincial/Regional Railways[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Castleford_railway_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_332898.jpg/220px-Castleford_railway_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_332898.jpg)
From new, some units were painted according to the region they operated in. For example, the first 14 Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive sponsored units (142001-014) received GMPTE orange and brown, then the next 13 West Country based units (142015-027) were painted in a Great Western Railway inspired chocolate and cream livery and marketed as 'Skippers'.[20]
Canada[]
Unit 142049 was sent to Vancouver, Canada for Expo 86.[21] The unit retained its Regional Railways livery and ran three trips a day all summer from Abbotsford to New Westminster. In order to operate on Canadian rails, it was equipped with radio and ditch lights, and given the designation RB100 for radio identification.[22]
Post privatisation[]
Northern England[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Wakefield_Kirkgate_2.jpg/220px-Wakefield_Kirkgate_2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/142017_Interior.jpg/220px-142017_Interior.jpg)
Upon the privatisation of British Rail, the Class 142 fleet was divided between North Western Trains in the North West and Northern Spirit in the North East.
Northern Spirit began operations in 1997 and continued until 2000. At this point, parent company MTL ran into difficulties and the company was sold to Arriva, who renamed it Arriva Trains Northern in 2001.
In 1998 ATN swapped seven Class 142s (142085-142091) for seven Class 150/2 units from Valley Lines.[23] In October–December 2002 these were swapped for unrefurbished units 142072-77 and 080–3, as 142086-091 had only recently been refurbished by Northern Spirit and Valley Lines wished to start their refurbishment from scratch.
In 2004 First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern were merged into the Northern rail franchise, which inherited a combined fleet of 79 Class 142s.
All 79 Class 142s were painted into the Northern Rail livery. Due to rising passenger numbers in the north of England (by about 10% per annum and even by over 25% per annum at some stations where the 142s were in operation),[13] some units had been replaced by Sprinter trains.[24]
Five Class 142 Pacers, in service with First Great Western, were returned to Northern Rail in December 2008. The rest returned to Northern Rail by November 2011, much later than originally planned.
Despite being built for branch-line stopping services, the Class 142s were mainly used on urban commuter services in and out of cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle, and were seen on longer-distance services of up to three hours including the 1632 Middlesbrough-Carlisle service (nearly 110 miles); they had also been used on services between Blackpool North and Chester via Stockport, which ceased to operate in December 2008. All 79 passed with the Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North in April 2016, and any remaining units transferred to the government-owned operator Northern Trains on 1 March 2020.
In June 2020, it was announced that 13 Class 142s would be allowed to re-enter service if necessary, the units being 142004, 018, 023, 058, 065, 068, 070, 071, 078, 087, 090, 094 and 095,[25] which they did on 6 July 2020 following the introduction of a new timetable, due to a need for extra capacity for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled to Class 150s so as to avoid needing to be non-PRM (persons of reduced mobility) modified.
Pacers were withdrawn from Northern Trains on 27 November 2020,[26] the last service being the 16:36 Kirkby to Manchester Victoria, operated by 142004.[27][28]
Merseyside[]
A total of seventeen Class 142 units based at Newton Heath TMD (142041-049 and 142051-058) were refurbished for use on Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive's City Line on services around the Liverpool and Greater Manchester areas.[29] The refurbishment included dot-matrix route indicators and a new design of individual low-backed seating, and the trains were repainted into Merseyrail's livery. Upon privatisation, these units passed to First North Western in March 1997. All of these sets were transferred to Northern in 2016, however remained in the livery of previous operator Northern Rail.
Wales[]
Valley Lines acquired its Class 142s by swapping Class 150/2 units with Arriva Trains Northern.[30] The Class 142s were initially painted in Valley Lines livery.
Transport for Wales used its Class 142 Pacer trains on the commuter lines around Cardiff, Barry and Penarth known as the Valley lines. All of its Class 142 Pacer fleet wore the turquoise and cream house colours of Arriva Trains Wales.[31] The Class 142 units were also primarily used on South Wales Valley line routes and routes through the Vale of Glamorgan. On Valley and Vale of Glamorgan services, Class 142s were often coupled together with Class 143 or Class 150 units to cope with demand on the busy Valley Lines network. The Class 142s received minor refurbishments with retrimmed seats in new moquette, plus the installation of ceiling-mounted CCTV cameras.[32]
South West England[]
![]() | This section does not cite any sources. (June 2020) |
Twelve Class 142 Pacers were received by First Great Western in 2007, and started operations in December 2007. These were loaned from Northern (where they had been stored), in part to cover for the refurbishment of FGW's Sprinter fleets but also to allow the Class 158s to be reformed as three-coach sets.
The 142s were based at Exeter TMD, working alongside the similar Class 143s on services in Devon and Cornwall, including the Avocet Line, Riviera Line and Tarka Line.
Five 142s were returned to Northern Rail in the autumn of 2008, following the completion of the refresh of Class 150 Sprinter units. The remaining seven units were returned to Northern Rail in November 2011 after being replaced by class 150 units cascaded from London Overground and London Midland.
Withdrawal[]
All 94 Class 142s were to be withdrawn by mid-2020, as they do not comply with the Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI).[33][34]
Bidders for the Northern franchise that commenced in April 2016 were required to order new DMUs and take on Sprinters and Turbostars (Classes 150, 156, 158 and 170) released by other franchises as replacement.[35] The Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry indicates up to 500 non-electric carriages will need to be built in the short term.[36] Arriva Rail North withdrawals were scheduled to commence in November 2018 with the last to be removed from traffic in October 2019.[37] This was slightly delayed until the first Class 195 entered service.
Wales & Borders franchise holder KeolisAmey Wales planned to replace all of its Class 142s by mid-2020.[38]
In August 2019, Arriva Rail North retired seven and placed them in store at Heaton TMD.[39][40] Scrapping commenced in December 2019 with 142005 taken to CF Booth, Rotherham.[41] In December 2019, three withdrawn Arriva Rail North units were transferred to Transport for Wales for spare parts.[42]
In December 2019, both Arriva Rail North and Transport for Wales were issued derogations to allow use into 2020. Northern Trains was permitted to operate the units until 31 May 2020, but only when coupled to a compliant unit,[43] while Transport for Wales was permitted to use the units until 31 July 2020 and could be operated alone.[44] This was later extended to 31 December 2020 for both operators.[45][46]
The final Class 142s were withdrawn from Northern Trains in November 2020[47] and Transport for Wales in December 2020.
Preservation[]
Several operational class 142 units have made it into preservation and additional sets are set to be saved/earmarked for preservation, most of which so far being ex-Northern operated units. The pioneer Class 142 Unit, 142001, is part of the National Collection and preserved at the National Railway Museum Shildon.[48] Other select units have also been purchased but will only be used to provide spare parts to the units which are planned to operate on heritage railways or museums.
Operational[]
Set number | Vehicle numbers | Livery | Location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DMS | DMSL | ||||
142001 | 55542 | 55592 | Northern Rail unbranded | National Railway Museum Shildon | Operational[49] First unit built. |
142004 | 55545 | 55595 | Telford Steam Railway | Privately owned. Arrived at Telford in April 2021.[50] | |
142006 | 55547 | 55597 | Arriva Trains Wales unbranded | Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway | Arrived 15 February 2021. It is the only Arriva Trains Wales unit not to be scrapped. To be restored to Valley Lines Livery.[51] |
142011 | 55552 | 55602 | Northern Rail unbranded | Midland Railway - Butterley | To be used as spares for 013.[52] |
142013 | 55554 | 55604 | Midland Railway - Butterley | To be restored to full working condition.[53] | |
142017 | 55558 | 55608 | East Kent Railway | Privately-owned. Preserved as "a good value and reliable form of traction to secure the long term future of the railway"[54] | |
142018 | 55559 | 55609 | Wensleydale Railway | Preserved on 3 March 2021. To be repainted into Skipper Chocolate and Cream livery.[55] | |
142019 | 55560 | 55610 | Waverley Route Heritage Centre | Arrived mid February 2020[56] | |
142020 | 55561 | 55611 | Merseyrail (unbranded) | Waverley Route Heritage Centre | Arrived early 2020.[57] |
142023 | 55564 | 55614 | Northern Rail (unbranded) | Plym Valley Railway | Arrived late 2020.[58][59] |
142029 | 55570 | 55620 | Northern Rail unbranded | Chasewater Railway | One of five sets made that display the fewest internal modifications, making it close to "original" condition[60] |
142030 | 55571 | 55621 | Chasewater Railway | The fourth Class 142 to be preserved, chosen due to being in close-to "original" internal condition.[61] | |
142035 | 55576 | 55626 | Wensleydale Railway | Possibly for use as parts donor[62][63] | |
142036 | 55577 | 55627 | East Kent Railway | Preserved as "a good value and reliable form of traction to secure the long term future of the railway"[64] | |
142038 | 55629 | 55579 | Mid-Norfolk Railway | Owned by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust; arrived 2020.[65] | |
142041 | 55582 | 55632 | Wensleydale Railway | Merseyrail Class 142 variant modified with high-capacity 3+2 seating and dot matrix destination indicators.[63] | |
142055 | 55705 | 55751 | Foxfield Railway | Merseyrail Class 142 variant modified with high capacity 3+2 seating and dot matrix destination indicators.[66] | |
142058 | 55708 | 55754 | Telford Steam Railway | Arrived at Telford in April 2021.[50] | |
142061 | 55711 | 55757 | Mid-Norfolk Railway | Owned by the MNRPT; arrived September 2020.[67] | |
142084 | 55734 | 55780 | Rushden Transport Museum | Arrived at Rushden in early in 2020.[68] | |
142091 | 55741 | 55787 | Rushden Transport Museum | Arrived at Rushden in early in 2020.[69] | |
142094 | 55744 | 55790 | Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway | Arrived at Embsay on 7 May 2021. |
Non-railway use[]
Alongside the operational preserved Class 142s, some have been acquired for non-railway use.
Set number | Vehicle numbers | Location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
DMS | DMSL | |||
142028 | 55569 | 55619 | Wensleydale Railway[70] | Purchased by a couple who work on the line, for conversion into a home.[70] |
142033 | 55574 | 55624 | Private Site: Bridgend | Acquired by South Wales Police for training.[71] |
142043 | 55584 | 55634 | Kingstanding Police Training Centre | Acquired by Sussex Police for training.[72] |
142045 | 55586 | 55636 | Kirk Merrington Primary School, Kirk Merrington | Acquired for use as a library.[73] |
142060 | 55710 | 55756 | Wensleydale Railway | To be converted into a holiday let and arts space.[74] |
Liveries[]
BR/Manchester PTE
BR Provincial two-tone blue
BR Provincial with added Network NorthWest
Revised Greater Manchester PTE
First Great Western
Fleet details[]
![]() | This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Some stored Pacers have now been sent to scrap/preservation.(April 2021) |
Class | Built | Cars per Set | Operator | Numbers | Unit nos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 142 | 1985–87 | 2 | Stored | 21 | 142003,[a] 142007, 142011, 142013–014, 142018, 142023,[a] 142032, 142035, 142041, 142047, 142051, 142056, 142061, 142071, 142078, 142087, 142089–090, 142094[75] |
Scrapped | 52 | 142002, 142005, 142008–010, 142012, 142015–016, 142021–022, 142024–026, 142031, 142034, 142037, 142039–040, 142042, 142044, 142046, 142048–050, 142052–054, 142057, 142059, 142062–070,142072-073, 142079-142083, 142085-086, 142088, 142092–093, 142095–096[citation needed] | |||
Preserved | 22 | 142001, 142004,[b] 142006, 142011, 142013, 142017, 142018, 142019–020, 142023, 142027,[c] 142029–030, 142035 ,[d] 142036, 142038, 142041, 142055, 142058, 142061, 142084, 142091,[76] 142094, | |||
Converted for Non-railway use | 5 | 142028, 142033, 142043, 142045, 142060[77] |
Named units[]
![]() | This section does not cite any sources. (July 2021) |
Select units have previously carried names.
- 142009 – Newton Heath 125 1876–2001 (denamed)
- 142073 – Myfanwy (denamed)
- 142080 – Caerphilly RFC (denamed)
Accidents[]
- Two Class 142 units have been withdrawn through accident damage. The first of which was unit 142059, which was withdrawn in 1991 after colliding with a buffer stop at Liverpool Lime Street. The train had run away down the hill from Edge Hill whilst returning with brake problems. The train was running without passengers at the time and the driver and guard both survived the accident without serious lasting injury. The platforms were evacuated in time before the train struck the buffers.[78]
- The most serious accident involving a Class 142 was at Winsford in 1999.[79] The driver of Class 142 No. 142008 operated by First North Western, running empty from Crewe to Liverpool Lime Street overran a red signal on the slow line and stopped in the path of the 06:15 London Euston to Glasgow Central Virgin Trains express, hauled by a Class 87 electric locomotive, No. 87027 Wolf of Badenoch.[80] The impact, which caused the unit to be written off, severed the Pacer's body from its frames and caused severe internal damage. This raised concerns over the crashworthiness of the design.[81][82]
- On 11 June 2009, a Class 142 (No. 142042) operated by Northern Rail derailed while en route from Blackpool to Liverpool. All but one of the 40 passengers on board escaped injury. An initial investigation was carried out by the UK Rail Accident Investigation Branch which determined that the engine mounted under the rear coach became detached and fell onto the track at a recorded speed of 57 mph, derailing the rear axle. The detachment of the engine caused extensive damage to underfloor equipment, severing control wires and damaging the braking system resulting in an automatic emergency brake application. The engine became detached following the failure of its attachment to the flywheel housing. Two of the three engine mounting points are on the flywheel housing which remained attached to the vehicle. Engine parts were recovered and taken to the engine overhauler's workshops for supervised examination and dismantling. The bearings and other internal engine parts were found to be in order with no signs of overheating or seizure. The engine crankshaft had broken between the big end bearing of the sixth cylinder and the main bearing in the engine casing at the flywheel end. This break exhibited marks characteristic of a fatigue failure. The torque load on the crankshaft of an engine on full power is at its maximum between the last cylinder and the flywheel, the location of the fracture. A piece of the main bearing and its fixing bolt were the first items found in the debris trail towards the derailed train at 453m back from where the train stopped. The engine block was 205m back from the stopped train. The track was damaged over a distance of 330m. The engine had been overhauled and was fitted to 142042 in March 2008. The crankshaft had been used in two other engines before being fitted to this engine. It had been reground and subjected to magnetic particle inspection (MPI) to check for flaws before it was fitted to this engine. The unit had covered 114,577 miles since returning to service. The rebuilt engines were given an interval of 400,000 miles between overhauls. Subsequently, newer more sensitive MPI equipment was introduced by the engine overhaulers.[83] Problems with engines on 142s have been experienced before.[84]
- On 8 August 2009, Arriva Trains Wales unit 142069 derailed during an empty stock movement at Rhymney, South Wales. The unit was preparing to work a morning service with 143625 when it derailed on a set of points and hit the platform edge. 142069 was later removed by road to Cardiff Canton depot and fears were raised that the frame might have been damaged beyond repair. These fears proved unfounded and the unit later returned to service.[citation needed]
- On 3 October 2009, a unit of the class collided with another train at Darlington.[85]
- On 4 January 2010, unit 142029 collided with a train comprising two Class 159 diesel multiple units at Exeter St Davids. Nine people were injured.[86]
- On 10 April 2011, a cardan shaft failure on 142045 led to an incident at Durham, injuring a member of the public with a piece of ballast kicked up by the detached shaft.[87]
- On 27 April 2012, unit 142091 was working the 1125 Lincoln – Adwick service when it hit a landslide after exiting Clarborough Tunnel near Retford causing major frontal damage to the unit. Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, one of these being the driver.[88][89] The landslide was blamed on heavy rain and poor drainage.[89] The unit has since returned to service.
- On 4 October 2016, unit 142072 caught fire at Caerphilly.[90]
- On 9 October 2018, unit 142086 derailed at Sheffield station.[91][92][93]
In 2009, John Pugh, the then Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, described the Class 142 as "unsafe". However the UK Government's Transport Secretary at the time Geoff Hoon denied this claim saying, "I would not accept that any of that rolling stock is unsafe", and that they constantly upgrade them.[94][95]
Models[]
- In 1987, Hornby Railways launched its first version of the BR Class 142 (Pacer) railbus in OO gauge.[96]
- In 2019, Dapol launched a model of a Class 142 Pacer in N gauge.[97]
- In 2020, announced that it intended to produce a model of the class 142 in several liveries.[98]
Notes[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b earmarked for preservation
- ^ Operated Northern Trains' final passenger movement with this stock (2J30 16:36 Kirkby to Manchester Victoria on 27 November 2020)
- ^ Currently at Chasewater Railway as a source of spares only
- ^ 142035 will most likely become spares for 028 and 041 at Wensleydale Railway.
References[]
Citations[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Fox & Hughes 1994, pp. 15–16, 25
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Colin J Marsden. "Class 142 Technical Data". therailwaycentre.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Class 142". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars) (PDF). Barrowmore MRG. Derby: British Railways Board. 1982. DP234, DP235. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Passenger Focus response to Network Rail's North West Route Utilisation Strategy". Transport Focus. 11 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Pritchard & Fox 2009, p. 15
- ^ "Mechanical and Electrical Coupling Index". Rail Safety and Standards Board. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
- ^ St John Thomas, David; Whitehouse, Patrick (1990). BR in the Eighties. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-9854-7.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Shore, A.G.L. (1987). "British Rail diesel multiple unit replacement programme". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1008.3291. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020. Cite journal requires
|journal=
(help) - ^ Jump up to: a b Smith 2002, p. 3
- ^ "142 – BREL/Leyland Pacer". Data Sheets. Angel Trains. Retrieved 8 July 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "Diesel Multiple Unit Stock". Goods & Not So Goods. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Response To Draft North West Rail Utilisation Strategy" (PDF). Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association. 2 January 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Smith 2002, p. 7
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Pacers: the unlikely local heroes…". railmagazine.com. 12 August 2019. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ Glendinning, Alec (26 March 2014). "The Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order" (PDF). Network Rail. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Passengers stranded by derailment". BBC News. 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- ^ "Cornish Capers".
- ^ "Image on Class 142 in Canada". Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ^ "Railway Herald image". Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
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Bibliography[]
- Fox, Peter (1987). Multiple Unit Pocket Book. British Railways Pocket Book No.2 (Summer/Autumn 1987 ed.). Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0906579740. OCLC 613347580.
- Fox, Peter; Hughes, Barry (1994). DMUs & Channel Tunnel Stock. British Railways Pocket Book No.3 (7th ed.). Platform 5. ISBN 9781872524597.
- Pritchard, R.N.; Fox, Peter (2009). Diesel Multiple Units 2010. British Railways Pocket Book No.3. Platform 5. ISBN 978-1-902336-75-6. OCLC 614300319.
- Smith, R.I. (2002). Class 140: The Past, The Present, The Future. Keith & Dufftown Railway Association. ISBN 0901845213.
Further reading[]
- Marsden, Colin J. (2011). Traction Recognition (2nd ed.). Ian Allan. pp. 102–105. ISBN 9780711034945. OCLC 751525080.
External links[]
Media related to British Rail Class 142 at Wikimedia Commons
- British Rail diesel multiple units
- BREL products
- Leyland vehicles
- Train-related introductions in 1985