Class 142 Pacers in service on Devon branch lines, 2007 to 2011 - merged topic

[whole diary]

[grahame]

... why should we loose decent 158's only to have them replaced by a bus with no tyres ...

Decision taken by Tom Harris. "There's more growth in the North" he said to David Redgewell in personat the labour party conference. I was speaking last night in person to David.  Tom Harris accepts full responsibility for the decision I understand, and a number of others such as the lack of extra trains in the area. "People are able to travel, and when they get really full, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) lay on a few extra buses.  What's the problem, and it doesn't cost me anything".

Perhaps it should cost him something in terms of votes.   Isn't there a labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) in Swindon and a labout MP in Exeter?  How safe are their seats?

[vacman]

What do you expect from Labour though?  bunch of hypocritical tory wannabees.

[Lee]

Perhaps it should cost him something in terms of votes.   Isn't there a labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) in Swindon and a labout MP in Exeter?  How safe are their seats?

Well , its shaky for Snelgrove in Swindon South , and wobbly for Wills in Swindon North , both of whom saw a collapse in support last time round , leaving them with vulnerable majorities (links below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/568.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/567.stm

Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) , recently appointed "Champion Of The West" (!) , saw a similiar slump in votes , but still has a 7,665 majority (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/245.stm

[devon_metro]

... why should we loose decent 158's only to have them replaced by a bus with no tyres ...

Decision taken by Tom Harris. "There's more growth in the North" he said to David Redgewell in personat the labour party conference. I was speaking last night in person to David.  Tom Harris accepts full responsibility for the decision I understand, and a number of others such as the lack of extra trains in the area. "People are able to travel, and when they get really full, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) lay on a few extra buses.  What's the problem, and it doesn't cost me anything".

Perhaps it should cost him something in terms of votes.   Isn't there a labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) in Swindon and a labout MP in Exeter?  How safe are their seats?

And does anybody who commutes in the SW give a toss whats happening up north.

Are the north complaining about 142s?

No

Are we happy with our 150s?

Yes

If it isn't broke don't fix it!

[vacman]

... why should we loose decent 158's only to have them replaced by a bus with no tyres ...

Decision taken by Tom Harris. "There's more growth in the North" he said to David Redgewell in personat the labour party conference. I was speaking last night in person to David.  Tom Harris accepts full responsibility for the decision I understand, and a number of others such as the lack of extra trains in the area. "People are able to travel, and when they get really full, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) lay on a few extra buses.  What's the problem, and it doesn't cost me anything".

Perhaps it should cost him something in terms of votes.   Isn't there a labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) in Swindon and a labout MP in Exeter?  How safe are their seats?

And does anybody who commutes in the SW give a toss whats happening up north.

Are the north complaining about 142s?

No

Are we happy with our 150s?

Yes

If it isn't broke don't fix it!

Here, here! some sense at last!!!!!

[gaf71]

And i agree with "shazz", i have never once had, a or seen a failed 142/143/144.

I seem to remember a 143 catching fire in the nailsea area a couple of years ago, and having worked 143's many times and often having to fail the units( normally due to door faults), i am not looking forward to working 142's on the devon branches.
Some drivers are already talking about going sick after a 5 hour stint at the controls( Paignton-Exmouth-Paignton) due to the bouncing around causing back pain, and headache from the noise.
Believe me this is a massive step backwards, though i do agree with intercity about tables, wi-fi, buffets etc.
If only these things had a history of reliability!

[vacman]

At least they're not coming to Cornwall!! Yet................

[devon_metro]

And i agree with "shazz", i have never once had, a or seen a failed 142/143/144.

I seem to remember a 143 catching fire in the nailsea area a couple of years ago, and having worked 143's many times and often having to fail the units( normally due to door faults), i am not looking forward to working 142's on the devon branches.
Some drivers are already talking about going sick after a 5 hour stint at the controls( Paignton-Exmouth-Paignton) due to the bouncing around causing back pain, and headache from the noise.
Believe me this is a massive step backwards, though i do agree with intercity about tables, wi-fi, buffets etc.
If only these things had a history of reliability!

Last time i was on a 142 I has a headache.

142:
Dangerous motion
2+3 seating
No tables
3 doors per side
Likely to fail

150s
Tables
Nice 2+2 seating
4 doors per side + guard
more seats
fairly reliable
can be doubled up with ease.

[intercity125]

I'd rather have a class 142 anyday over these rancid FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) refurbed set's, and im a die hard HST fan....

[intercity125]

If it isn't broke don't fix it!


FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should have thought about this before tampering with the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

[Lee]

And i agree with "shazz", i have never once had, a or seen a failed 142/143/144.

There was an oil leak on the Class 143 0805 Bristol Temple Meads - Avonmouth service this morning. I also wonder whether you might be about to get deluged with tales of Pacer breakdowns past........

The initial information I received was incorrect , and it was in fact a Class 158 unit that formed the 0805 oil - leak train.

For all the Pacer fans out there - I hope thats made your day......

[devon_metro]

Lesson to learn: Don't travel on the 0738 as it calls at every shack to Bristol.

On the other hand the 1415 is a fairly fast service.

Addition by Graham

Due to an error by the moderator - me - this post no longer makes sense here.  It relates to Paington to London trains that take the Great Way Round (07:38) and Berks and Hants (14:15) ... see all about it at

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=773.0

Sorry I've made you post look odd, Liam, by splitting the topic.

[grahame]

I have moved the post by "Train Drained" out of this thread to the "London to the West" board, as it was in danger of getting lost in the flood of 142 concerns, when it had some other important points to make.

-- Graham

Now at:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=773.0

[devon_metro]

May make sence to remove my post and this one

[grahame]

May make sence to remove my post and this one

Oh gosh - sorry - did that relate to the Paington to London post which I removed from thsi thread to give it the exposure it deserved?    Thanks for the nudge.   Actually I'll us this as another chance to tell people about that other thread if I may - it's at

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=773.0