Campaigners welcome news that Northern's final Pacer train has been removed from service

The antiquated Pacer trains - buses from the 1980s which were converted into makeshift trains - were initially introduced as a temporary stopgap solution to stock shortages and their continued use has been cited by many as a prime example of the North-South divide.

Northern eventually retired the first Pacer from service in August 2019 now the last remaining train has completed its swansong journey, from Kirkby to Manchester Victoria on Friday November 27.

Marcus Johns, research fellow at think-tank IPPR North, said the process took “far too long” and stressed it must mark an end to the Government’s broken promises to the North.

“Many northerners will celebrate the final retirement of Pacer trains from our railways. Their cold, leaky carriages, poor reliability, and familiar bounce won’t be missed.

“It took far too long. We were promised their removal and replacement again and again over the last decade, despite their 20-year planned lifespan passing at the beginning of the millennium.

“If the Government is serious about levelling up, this will be the last of the announced, delayed, and repeated promises with nothing to show for. It’s time to keep promises to the North without delay,” he said.

Batley and Spen Labour MP Tracy Brabin said she had been “asking and cajoling” the Government to remove Pacer trains since she became an MP four years ago.

“I’m glad to see the back of them and certainly some of my constituents will feel the same.

“The big question now is what is the commitment for investment for the north. The only way that we can be the best we can be is with the right transport infrastructure.

“We need to make sure commitment to the north is 100 per cent.”

Labour’s shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon also welcomed the news, taking to Twitter to write: “To be fair, they should have been wished a fond farewell over a decade ago but they have serviced passengers in the North for a long time.”

Northern’ said its new trains feature free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, at-seat power and customer media screens with real-time information.

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The Pacers have kept millions of northerners on the move and, while they have served us well and provided some communities with rail services they may have otherwise lost, it is time to give them a well-earned rest.

“Northern has overseen significant modernisation in recent months and the retiring Pacers have made way for a fleet of 100 brand-new trains which are already servicing people across the north of England.”

Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary with Cabinet Responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse, said: “The Pacer fleet has connected communities on the Northern network for over 30 years, but today marks the sun finally setting on trains that have become loved by some, but hated by many.

“This marks a new era of transport in the north, with passengers enjoying a brand new fleet of trains, delivering more modern services and creating a more reliable network across the north.”

Background:

The Pacers were introduced as a temporary stopgap solution to stock shortages but ended up serving Northern routes for 40 years before their phased withdrawal began at the end of 2019.

They are being decommissioned and scrapped at the CF Booth metalworks in Rotherham, one of the few firms in the UK capable of dismantling old rolling stock. The parts and metal could end up being shipped overseas.

Northern leased 102 Pacers from Angel Trains, and the first one was removed from service last August, with three more following in the autumn. Their retirement has been delayed due to ongoing problems with electrification of the network and the manufacture of new rolling stock. They are sent to a storage depot in Worksop before being taken for decommissioning.

The trains - known for their rattling motion, cold, dated interiors and noisy engines - were created by attaching bus bodies to rail bogies, and the passenger experience is frequently likened to being on board a bus.

The National Railway Museum have accepted a donated Pacer - the first of the Class 142s to be produced - to add to the national collection. It is currently at their Locomotion site in Shildon, County Durham, where it will eventually run on a short test track, giving rides to visitors.

The Chasewater Railway heritage line in Staffordshire has also bought two Class 142 units for preservation.

Charities and community groups were also invited to bid for Pacers, and among the competition winners were men's mental health charity Platform 1, who are based at Huddersfield Station and will convert the train into a kitchen to teach cooking classes.

Airedale NHS Trust were awarded a Pacer to use as a patient space and Fagley Primary School in Bradford will turn theirs into a science lab.

On February 5, trainspotters were surprised to see Pacers running on the York to Scarborough line - a route not operated by Northern and one which Pacers hadn't been used on for around 20 years. It transpired that the retired stock was being used for driver training by Northern, who were due to begin operating new services on the line in May.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.