British Rail Class 143

British Rail Class 143 "Pacer"
A First Great Western Class 143 Pacer No. 143617 at Exeter TMD, opposite Exeter St. Davids Station. This was the first one to be refurbished for First Great Western. The refurbished interior of a First Great Western Class 143.
In service	1985 - present
Manufacturer	Andrew Barclay and Walter Alexander
Family name	Pacer
Number built	25
Number in service	23
Number scrapped	2
Formation	2 car
Capacity	106
Operator	Arriva Trains Wales First Great Western
Line(s) served	Avocet Line, Bristol to Taunton Line, Riviera Line, Severn Beach Line, Tarka Line and Valley Lines
Specifications
Car length	15.2 metres
Width	2.7 metres
Maximum speed	75mph
Weight	26.3 tonnes
Engine(s)	Cummins LTA10-R (Originally Leyland TL11)
Safety system(s)	AWS, TPWS
Coupling system	BSI[1]
Gauge	1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)

The British Rail Class 143 is a diesel multiple unit, part of the Pacer family of trains introduced between 1985 & 1986. They originally worked in the North-East of England but were later transferred to Wales and South-West England.^[2]

Technical

At around the same time of the British Rail Class 142 development, a Pacer railbus was being developed by Kilmarnock-based Hunslet-Barclay. The train used a Walter Alexander bus body and entered service in 1985. Again with 2 205 bhp motors giving a total output of 410 bhp (310 kW) and a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), the class originally had a capacity of 122 passengers per 2 coach unit.

As with all pacer units the 2 axle non articulated wheel arrangement has given rise to problems with wheel noise on low radius curves and poor ride quality in general. The interiors were completely changed in 2000, with full back, 2+2 coach-type seating installed throughout, along with improved fittings replacing 2+3 bus style low back seating; this reduced seating capacity to 106 seats per set.

Twenty-five units were built, numbered 143001-025 but later re-numbered 143301-143325 and subsequently 143601 - 143625.

Operations

This section requires expansion.

The class was used in the North East of England, before being transferred to Wales and was moved over to Wales & West control during privatisation. It then passed on to Wessex Trains, which became part of the Great Western franchise.

Wales

Arriva Trains Wales use their Class 142 trains on the commuter lines around Cardiff to places such as Rhymney, Aberdare and Barry Island. Additionally, Arriva have deployed 143s on longer journeys, such as those from Cardiff Central to Carmarthen, Swansea, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard Harbour.

They operate 15 sets, a 16th set (143615) sustained severe fire damage during 2005 and has now been scrapped at Cardiff Canton. Arriva's fleet were repainted in turquoise and cream Arriva Trains Wales livery. 143609 has been named 'Sir Tom Jones' in honour of the Welsh singer.^[3]

South-West England

Wessex Trains used their fleet primarily on commuter services around Bristol, although towards the end of the franchises they were increasingly on longer distance Cardiff to Taunton services. They were occasionally used on rural branch lines but this was generally avoided where possible due to problems with wheel wear and the noise on sharp corners^{[citation needed]}.

First Great Western inherited the seven Wessex Trains units when the franchises were merged in April 2006. An 8th set used by Wessex (143613) caught fire near Nailsea and Backwell in October 2004 and has since been broken up at Cardiff Canton.^[4]

In Autumn 2008 the Class 143s began a further refurbishment program at Eastleigh works; the interior improvements include:

• New 'easy to clean' flooring
• A retrim of the existing Chapman seats with First Great Western moquette
• Refurbished toilet area with new flooring, wall coverings, toilet and sink basin
• Brighter interior saloon flourscent lighting diffusers

Since December 2008 the Class 143s are based at Exeter TMD alongside seven similar Class 142s. They are now allocated to the following services:

• Avocet Line Exmouth - Exeter St. Davids
• Riviera Line Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot - Paignton
• Severn Beach Line Bristol Temple Meads - Avonmouth - Severn Beach
• Tarka Line Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids

Gallery

Wessex Trains Class 143 Pacer No. 143603 at Bristol Temple Meads, in Visit Bristol advertising livery.	Arriva Trains Wales Class 143 Pacer No. 143606 at Penarth, with a service bound for Bargoed.	Arriva Trains Wales Class 143 Pacer No. 143608 at Barry Island, with a service bound for Taffs Well.	The interior of an Arriva Trains Wales Class 143 Pacer, showing the refurbishment carried out by Valley Lines.
Arriva Trains Wales Class 143 Pacer No. 143614 departs Cardiff Queen Street.	A pair of First Great Western refurbished Class 143 Pacers No. 143617 and a more recent refurbished set, No. 143612 at Exeter TMD.

Fleet Details

References

1. ^ "System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles". Rail Safety and Standards Board. http://www.rssb.co.uk/rv_coupling_system_data/list_index.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 
2. ^ "TheRailwayCentre - Class 143". http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20DMU/Recognition%20DMU/IllusDMU_143.html. 
3. ^ Fleet lists Class 143 thejunction.org
4. ^ "Commuters escape from train blaze". BBC News. October 19, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3754902.stm. 

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