07:40 Paignton-Paddington 23/03

[whole diary]

[James Vertigan]

No problem, easy mistake to make.

For interests sake, it was a 2 car 143 that worked this today.

So was it just a Pacer between Paignton and BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) (with an HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) doing the rest of the run?) I can't imagine anyone wanting to sit on a Pacer for an entire journey to London! Never been on a Pacer myself, but saw a report on ITV Westcountry on them once when they were being used on the Tarka^▸ (Branch line from Barnstaple to Exeter) line!

[ReWind]

I wouldn't want to hold a 1st Class ticket for that service!! 

[moonrakerz]

Hmm... I'm trying to decide if that picture was "photoshopped" or not!

Last year I saw an SWT^▸ (South West Trains) 159 leaving Westbury with "Belfast via Stranraer" showing - oh, to have had my camera with me !

[Super Guard]

Yes, apparently: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=3260.msg25203#msg25203 

Hmm... I'm trying to decide if that picture was "photoshopped" or not!

Paddington can indeed be displayed on certain 142 blinds.

[chrisoates]

  Never been on a Pacer myself.

Tis a strange experience, based on a lorry chassis with a single wheel at each corner - I think bend greasers were invented for Pacers as the wheels always face the same direction regardless of where the train is going.

However they don't ride like a lorry or a train or any other mode of transport - more like a horse or a donkey after which they are named - most upsetting to the brain to ride on a flat truck on flat rails only to be pitched forward and back as if on a bucking bronco - the only relief is the uninterrupted panoramic view over the top of low backed bus seats.

First time I used one I was trapped on it as I couldn't find the door open button - it's hidden on the blind side to the passengers.
       

[James Vertigan]

No problem, easy mistake to make.

For interests sake, it was a 2 car 143 that worked this today.

So was it just a Pacer between Paignton and BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) (with an HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) doing the rest of the run?) I can't imagine anyone wanting to sit on a Pacer for an entire journey to London! Never been on a Pacer myself, but saw a report on ITV Westcountry on them once when they were being used on the Tarka^▸ (Branch line from Barnstaple to Exeter) line!

In fact, here is that report!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0G2BK04vsw