I have read on wnxx about some drivers suggesting to take 1 of the class 142's in London Paddington as part of a farewell tour. I would like to see the looks on people faces as a pacer turns up at Paddington
Round about 1998 and over the turn of that decade Wales and West used to run a 21 25 Cardiff to Paddington and returning at 01 45 via Bath. FGW▸ (First Great Western) (or their equivalent at that time) had withdrawn the service so Wales and West decided to bid for the gap in the days before DFT▸ (Department for Transport) micro-managing. It was booked to be worked by a 158 and proved quite popular until the SRA» (Strategic Rail Authority - about) put an end to it. Now for the punch line !!! One night due to non-availability of a 158, it was worked by a 143 and kept time !!! It was also worked by a 150/2 on a very rare occasion.