Rail operator Northern has issued the following response following criticism over the retention of some older Pacer trains.
Northern will be retaining a small number of Pacer trains into 2020.
Pacers are being replaced by brand new Class 195 and 331 trains, that will be used on Northern Connect services, including Manchester to Windermere / Barrow, Liverpool / Manchester to Blackpool North, and in the future – Blackpool North to York via Burnley Manchester Road and others!
These Pacers can be used for a variety of reasons, i.e. coupling one to a 2 car Class 150, 156, or 158 to make a 4 carriage train.
What do you think to this? Let us know in the comments below!
What did the officials say?
A spokesperson said:
“As a result of further delays in the construction and delivery of our new trains from manufacturer CAF, a small number of Pacers units will need to be retained for a short period of time in 2020 to deliver the planned daily timetable with the right capacity for our customers. This situation is not unique to Northern.
“We understand that customers will be disappointed and we are finalising proposals for customer support and offers for customers on those routes on which Pacers will be used in 2020.
“Those proposals will need to be reviewed by Rail North Partnership, the Leeds-based organisation that manages the Northern and TPE franchises on behalf of Transport for the North and the Department for Transport.
“From today, Monday 21st October, we will have 29 of our 101 new trains in service for customers and a further 27 new trains are in final testing or being used for driver training.
“The introduction of new trains from July meant the first Pacer was retired in August, with the majority of Pacers still planned to be removed by the end of this year.
“We agree the North deserves the best possible rail service and are working hard to improve performance and reliability for customers.”
Where Next?
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
Northern
Visit their website
Mainline Steam Info
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
So Northern have decided to keep the Class 142 Pacers into next year.
Pacers are unfit for human transportation. They should be disposed of as soon as…, even if this leads to train shortages and overcrowding in the meantime. One of the saddest things I have ever heard is that there is a movement to preserve a Pacer. That’s weird.
If in doubt blame someone else, typical Arriva Northern