The first Pacer Railbuses were introduced in 1984 and were designed as a short-term measure with a lifespan of twenty years. They were due to be withdrawn from service in 2019 and finally finished up in 2021.
They've been a 'popular' train up north for a fair few years and we quite often see - and hear - them squealing along the many lines in Greater Manchester.
Today the first of Northern's Pacer Railbuses retired from service, as 142005 made its final journey from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge.
The first Pacer Railbuses were introduced in 1984 and were designed as a short-term measure with a lifespan of twenty years. They've certainly been pushed beyond what they were originally intended for.
While I wouldn't necessarily want to travel on a Pacer Railbus on a long journey, nor would I much fancy using one for a daily rush-hour commute, there is something about them that makes them fun to travel on.
While modern trains may be sleeker and have more comfortable seating and air-con, there's a lot to be said for old diesel trains. Last week's large-scale power cuts showed that while new trains may be great when conditions are perfect, they were completely useless when the power went down.
Pacer Railbus 142005 connected to another old train - a Class 150 Sprinter
When we arrived in Stockport in 2016 we noticed that, although there are a lot of train lines and connections aren't too bad, the rolling stock itself is very old. In fact as we moved north so did a load of ex-Thameslink Class 319s that we'd been commuting into London on since 2003!
Having lived most of my life down south I didn't realise quite how poor the train services can be up north in comparison. And that's saying something as a long-suffering commuter on the 'Bedpan line' from Luton to London.
Transport for Wales are also withdrawing their Pacer Railbuses and have added public service announcements to the sides of the trains declaring it's "The start of a new journey"
On a recent trip to Carnforth we were lucky enough to see the first of the Pacer's replacements out on a test-run. While it was merely a brief encounter it was nice to see Class 195001 breeze through the station.
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
.jpg "Northern Pacer Railbus at Mills Hill railway station (October 2018)")
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Guinness World Record Holder for 'Most miniature golf courses visited'. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Mediocre polymath. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer. Always feeling nostalgic about something.
