Pacer Railcar for Cynheidre
The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway are pleased to report that a Class 142 Pacer railcar, no. 142 006 has been delivered for preservation at the railways base at Cynheidre. It is the only class 142 preserved with an ‘Arriva Trains Wales’ configured interior. The railway would like to thank Transport for Wales (TFW) and Angel Trains for their help in the donation of this vehicle which will ensure that the thirty plus years of operation of these units in South Wales continues. The railway would also like to thank Chrysalis Rail at Landore for all of their help.
142006 arrives at Cynheidre on 15th February 2021.
The acquisition of this unit has only been possible thanks to the help and assistance from Transport for Wales, Angel Trains and Chrysalis Rail.
We wish to offer huge thanks to these organisations for their ongoing help and support to our project.
The final class 142’s were withdrawn from service in the South Wales Valleys in December 2020 and during early January 2021 a number were driven to Landore in Swansea for warm storage. Following a decision to send these units for scrap, one, 142 006, has now been transferred to Cynheidre in fully operational condition. It arrived on 15th February.
142006 heads a line-up of classmates shortly after arriving at Landore for storage in January - Photo courtesy of Mike Campbell.
Unit No. 142 006 is considered one of the the best of those stored at Landore and will now hopefully become a long term member of the operational fleet at the railway, in the short term hopefully allowing the railway to offer socially distanced train rides in a safe environment. In the longer term the railway would like to restore the unit to original South Wales ‘Valley Lines’ livery and condition. The unit made its final journey on the mainline from Cardiff Canton Depot to Landore Depot on Wednesday 6th January 2021 and is in fully operational condition. The L&MMR hope to run a Pacer gala day as soon as current Covid-19 restrictions allow. In due course the railway also plans to offer driver experience courses.
142006 on the fuel point at Cardiff Canton just before the final journey on the mainline for the unit on 6th January 2021.
In total 165 Pacer Railcars were built, the class 142 being the third generation and the largest class in terms of numbers. Introduced to service in 1985 and built by British
Leyland to a lightweight design based on the then current Leyland National bus design and featuring a four wheel underframe. Upgraded in the early 1990’s with more powerful engines, they have, along with the newer class 143 Pacers and class 150 DMU’s, been the mainstay of services in the South Wales Valleys for over thirty years.
The preservation of this unit at Cynheidre ensures that their legacy is celebrated and continues
into the future.
142006 seen shortly after arriving in South Wales in the early 2000s, still sporting First North Western GMPTE livery - Photo courtesy of Bob Masterman.
The railway is a charity run totally by volunteers. It is hoping to grow into a major tourist attraction for the Llanelli district and in order to reach our goals we need more volunteer help in all departments including operational, maintenance and restoration, and administration. If you could spare a few hours for what is a most enjoyable pastime and worthwhile cause do not hesitate to get in touch. For more information or to volunteer please visit our website at https://www.llanellirailway.co.uk or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/llanellirailway
