Wensleydale Railway has revealed that Class 143 Pacer unit 143623 is back in service once again following a number of repairs, driver familiarisation training and a fantastic repaint into Regional Railways livery.
The diesel multiple unit moved to the heritage railway in July 2021 after over 35 years of hard work for Transport for Wales, operating in the South Wales region.
Pacers are fondly known as ‘nodding donkeys' by rail enthusiasts and Class 143 marked a second generation of two-car diesel multiple units being introduced between 1985 and 1986.
Initially, 143623 began working for the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive before moving to South Wales, where it continued working until May 2021, making it one of the last remaining operational Pacers in the country.
With 143623 back in operation once again, the unit will work alongside Wensleydale Railway's class 142's providing services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn as well as Leeming Bar to Scruton shuttles.
The heritage railway very much appreciated the generous supporters who donated to an appeal, which allowed the unit to move from South Wales back in 2021 and have now been provided with free travel vouchers for any regular service on the railway.
Nick Keegan, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Wensleydale Railway said: “The 143 Pacer is a great addition to our heritage diesel fleet. It's economical to operate and with comfortable seating, large windows and a toilet, is well-suited to provide our visitors with an enjoyable experience when travelling on our railway.”
I managed to ride one of the few remaining service Pacers a few years ago between Wakefield and Leeds. It was lovely to travel on such a basic and primitive train with loads of character. Great to see a heritage railway has taken one on.
I’m not sure that Pacers are “fondly remembered” by anyone. They are “nodding donkeys” because being 4 fixed wheel units, rather than riding on bogies, they ride very roughly indeed – and make a lot of noise about it, particularly round even the smoothest curve. When they were in main network service they were pretty universally disliked, so I can’t see many people wanting to spend leisure hours in them.
These units are now all that the Wensleydale railway seems to offer, and I note that they are disposing of their first generation DMUs, which actually offer a much better ride. I think this is a mistake and will limit their passenger numbers.
They may be an enjoyable oddity on a heritage railway line, giving you a nostalgic reminder of sitting on the 1980s Leyland bus. But but my more recent experience of overcrowded GWR summer services in Devon were not happy with standing room only on poor riding and creaky ancient Pacers, finally & thankfully retired in December 2020.
nothing wrong with these i like the buses they were based on too