Class 142 : The Bus That Became a Train

The British Rail Class 142 Pacer was a marriage of bus and rail technology introduced at a time when a cost effective train was required for the network. In the mid-1980s the 96 trains presented a fresh image in a period when the UK railway system was in need of investment. The fleet has lasted over thirty years and is due to be retired by 2020.

The British Rail Class 142 Pacer was an attempt to produce a cost effective train to replace the worn-out and elderly first generation BR Diesel Multiple Unit fleet that had been introduced in the late 1950’s. The Class 142 concept was a marriage of proven bus technology and traditional railway chassis and powertrain by utilizing modular Leyland National Bus Bodies mounted on a substantial steel underframe and powered by conventional underfloor diesel engines. They came at a time when the network was lacking in investment, and when first introduced from 1985 onwards, they presented a fresh, bright & clean image, breathing new life into many suburban and rural services. Unfortunately, soon after introduction, there were serious reliability problems, which necessitated much re-engineering, since when they have become a familiar sight across the network. With the remaining ninety-four trains now all past their thirtieth birthday, the fleet is due to be retired by 2020.