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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Back in the borough |
Quite the day out!
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| 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 |
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| The station is the closest to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium |
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| There was some unexpected greenery under the stairs on an unused bit of the other platform |
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| One of the most interesting things at Ashburys station was this abandoned glove |
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| Network Rail have a signalling centre very close to the station |
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| 323230 arriving at Ashburys station |
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| I was looking in the wrong direction and hadn't even heard this Pacer until it was almost too later |
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| Sprinter 150147 heading away from Ashburys station |
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| Pacer Railbuses 142037 & 142054 at Manchester Piccadilly station |
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| Down the other end they were Pacer Railbuses 142030 & 142054 |
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| Earlier in the day I'd seen Pacer Railbus 142067 at Manchester Piccadilly |
Related blog posts:
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Trains
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Manchester
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Stockport
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Top Trainspotting
Videos:
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Pacer Railbus 142037 at Ashburys railway station in Manchester
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Pacer Railbus 142013 at Stockport railway station
