Pacer Railbuses at Ashburys and Stockport

Riding a much maligned workhorse of the north's rail network.  

Prior to yesterday I had only ridden on one Pacer Railbus - from Paignton to Torquay on our South West Minigolfing Roadtrip in 2015. They're a 'popular' train up north and we quite often see - and hear - them squealing along the many lines in Greater Manchester.

At Paignton station in the summer of 2015

While in the city I managed to make a trip from Ashburys station in Openshaw one stop along to Manchester Piccadilly riding in Pacer Railbus 142037.

I wasn't the only one catching the train from Ashburys. However, I was probably the only person who'd specifically gone there to get on a Pacer Railbus

Prior to its arrival a four-coach Pacer had sped through the station. I also saw a Class 323 and a Class 150 heading towards Hadfield and New Mills Central respectively.

Ashburys railway station

My final destination was back home to Cheadle Hulme, but as I didn't fancy waiting around for the next train I hopped aboard my second Pacer of the day, 142013 to Chester via Stockport where I alighted for a walk home.

Back in the borough

Quite the day out!

Ashburys railway station is in Openshaw, Manchester. Ashburys doesn't refer to the area, rather it's taken from the name of the company that built the station in 1850

The station is the closest to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium

There was some unexpected greenery under the stairs on an unused bit of the other platform

One of the most interesting things at Ashburys station was this abandoned glove

Network Rail have a signalling centre very close to the station

323230 arriving at Ashburys station

I was looking in the wrong direction and hadn't even heard this Pacer until it was almost too later

Sprinter 150147 heading away from Ashburys station

Pacer Railbuses 142037 & 142054 at Manchester Piccadilly station

Down the other end they were Pacer Railbuses 142030 & 142054

Earlier in the day I'd seen Pacer Railbus 142067 at Manchester Piccadilly

Related blog posts:
- Trains
- Manchester
- Stockport
- Top Trainspotting

Videos:
- Pacer Railbus 142037 at Ashburys railway station in Manchester
- Pacer Railbus 142013 at Stockport railway station