The Telford Steam Railway has announced that this week, a milestone was reached in the history of the railway with the arrival of a Pacer.
On Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July 2020, the railway took delivery of DMU 144013.
The Pacer has arrived at the railway after a working life on the mainline network with Northern and Porterbrook.
The 144s were built in 1986 – 1987 by British Rail Engineering Ltd and Walter Alexander at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.
144013 was last given a full overhaul in 2010 and a partial refurbishment in 2017.
Apart from a good clean, and some minor exterior blistering on the bodywork and an exterior repaint, the unit is ready for passenger service.
The Telford Steam Railway purchased the set to push ahead with their ambition to return train services to the Ironbridge Gorge.
144013 is ideal to operate services that are not suited to steam haulage, and also provides great views for passengers.
It is not yet confirmed when 144013 will enter service; this will be announced in due course.
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i should think so! About time these trains were appreciated like Austin Allegros DMS buses and Leyand National buses!
Hideous machines that almost ended my love for rail travel.
However, if they enable more lines to expand and reopen then at least they have finally been useful.
Good luck to the Telford project
Wow, The Telford Steam Railway (which I myself still hope to travel to and visit ‘in-person’ someday)… Are indeed one ofthe latest Heritage Railways to take on A Newly Withdrawn Pacer.
It’s Also A Jolly Good Idea to Eventually Put this Pacer to Good Use along the Well-Restored Rails of the TSR, Especially for when this Heritage Railway Attraction does reach en-route closer to Incredible Ironbridge.
I do hope more ex-British Rail Pacers are Potentially Preserved… Because I think they’ve further potential on running within UK Preservation… Especially to help most fellow Heritage Railways potentially expand within stages, let alone extend.
The Telford Steam Railway – Horsehay… Aren’t the Heritage Railway/Transportation Destination to have taken on A Pacer… As some other Heritage Railways have too.