NORTHERN AIMING FOR PACER WITHDRAWAL BY END OF 2019
Published at 18:54 on Wednesday 23rd January 2019
Tags: Northern, Class 142, Class 144, Pacer
Class 142s Nos. 142017 and 142012 approach their destination at Manchester Piccadilly forming service from Chester. Northern says it is still aiming for a complete withdrawal of the Class 142 and 144 fleets by the end of December this year. Mike Brook
Northern has confirmed that the withdrawal of the Class 142 and 144 ‘Pacer’ units has yet to commence, as a result of the delays to the introduction of the new CAF units, along with the issues caused by the May timetable, and lack of electric trains on the Bolton route.
Indeed, following the introduction of Class 170s from Scotland on to the Harrogate line, along with the forthcoming start of ‘Turbostar’ operation on Bridlington to Sheffield and Sheffield/Nottingham - Leeds services, some spare Pacer sets are being moved from the North East to strengthen services in the North West. A Northern spokesman told Railway Herald that the company was still working on the programme for retirement of the Pacers, but that it remained the “aim to retire all Pacers by the end of 2019.”
