‘Pacer’ latest developments
THE use of Class 142s in the Manchester area has been reduced, and so on August 4 No. 142071 ran from Newton Heath to Blackburn King Street for warm storage, with No. 142068 following two days later.
With Nos. 142058/090 already at Blackburn, this left just four active sets Nos. 142004/065/078/087, although No. 142078 has since been exchanged for No. 142071 (see below).
Nos. 142058/090 undertook a run to Newton Heath and back on August 25, one of several movements during that week. August 24 saw No. 142078 operate in service in the morning, before moving to Blackburn King Street for store later in the day. Heading from Blackburn to Newton Heath that day was No. 142071, although it returned to Blackburn three days later. Also on August 27, No. 142068 was brought out of store at Blackburn and was operating in service out of Manchester Piccadilly later in the day.
In South Wales, authorisation has been given for Transport for Wales to keep its 30 Class 142 and 143 units in traffic until the end of the year.
Their original dispensation had been due to expire at the end of July, but delays to the introduction of Class 769 ‘Flex’ units (which were originally due to appear in 2018) have prevented their withdrawal.
