British Rail Class 143
Encyclopedia
The British Rail
Class 143 is a diesel multiple unit
, part of the Pacer
family of train
s introduced between 1985 and 1986. They originally worked in the North-East of England but were later transferred to Wales and South-West England.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act drawn up in the mid 1990s, all public transport will need to be accessible by 2019. Pacers are unable to meet this requirement so will have to be withdrawn by the end of 2019.
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 and a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), the class originally had a capacity of 122 passengers per 2 coach unit.
Twenty-five units were built, numbered 143001-025, originally deployed in North-East England. 143001-019 were supplied in Provincial railbus-style two-tone blue livery, and 143020-025 were supplied in Tyne & Wear PTE yellow+white livery. In 1989, Heaton depot (Newcastle) implemented a unit renumbering scheme, whereby those with original SCG mechanical transmission would be renumbered 1433XX, and those that had undergone conversion to Voith hydraulic transmission would be renumbered 1436XX. By this time, many units had already received Voith transmission, so were renumbered directly from 1430XX to 1436XX. Only the T&WPTE-sponsored units - which received Voith transmission later on - actually carried the 1433XX series, renumbered to 1436XX when they were eventually converted.
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 bespoke Chapman, high back seating installed throughout, along with improved fittings replacing 2+3 bus style low back seating; this reduced seating capacity
to 106 seats per set.
. As with class 142, problems soon emerged with the SCG mechanical transmission, resulting in poor availability, and frequent loco-hauled substitutions on local services, especially in 1987, continuing to a lesser extent in 1988 and 1989 as the units were progressively fitted with the more suitable Voith hydraulic transmissions. Improved availability of the class enabled the Class 101s to be withdrawn from the region in 1989, by which time the loco-hauled substitutions had also dwindled to typically one set diagram per day, finally petering out in Summer 1990 as the Pacers generally settled down to give more acceptable reliability.
During the problems, a total of four original formations were split, and reformed to make operational DMS-DMS(L) sets, in a bid to alleviate the acute DMU shortage in the region. First to be split were 143002 and 143010, and cars 55643+55676 actually carried unit no. 143026 for a time in 1988. However, the pair was later renumbered 143010. The other cars 55651+55668 appeared later in 1988, with 55651 having a large white number 2 - meant for coach sides - crudely placed across the black 10 of its original unit number, only rectified upon renumbering to 143602. 143003 had spent a lengthy spell out of action with fire damage, then in Summer 1989, car 55644 from it was paired with 55683 (ex-143617), and both given the unit number 143617. The other cars 55658+55669 re-appeared later that Summer, both carrying unit number 143603. These reformations were never reversed to original formations, thus 143602, 143603, 143610 and 143617 remained mis-formed ever since.
143025 did carry the name of 'River Tyne' for sometime when it was based in the North East
, which became part of the Great Western franchise.
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 to Carmarthen
, , Pembroke Dock
and .
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.
Arriva Trains Wales commenced a minor interior refresh of their Class 143 in Autumn 2009. The seats are being retrimmed into the Arriva moquette. Additionally on the exterior of the Class 143 Pacer trains, LED head and rear marker lights and LED door obstruction marker lights are being installed.
used their fleet primarily on commuter services around Bristol
, although towards the end of the franchises they were increasingly on longer distance Cardiff
to 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.
First Great Western
inherited the seven Wessex Trains
units when the franchises were merged in April 2006. An eighth set used by Wessex (143613) caught fire near in October 2004 and has since been broken up at Cardiff Canton.
In Autumn 2008, the Class 143s began a further refurbishment program at Eastleigh works; the interior improvements include:
Since December 2008 the Class 143s are based at Exeter TMD
alongside seven similar Class 142s. They are now allocated to the following services:
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 143 is a diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
, part of the Pacer
Pacer (train)
Pacer is the operational name of the British Rail Classes 140, 141, 142, 143 and 144 diesel multiple unit railbuses, built between 1984 and 1987...
family of train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s introduced between 1985 and 1986. They originally worked in the North-East of England but were later transferred to Wales and South-West England.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act drawn up in the mid 1990s, all public transport will need to be accessible by 2019. Pacers are unable to meet this requirement so will have to be withdrawn by the end of 2019.
Technical
At around the same time of the British Rail Class 142British Rail Class 142
The British Rail Class 142 is a class of Pacer diesel multiple units used in the United Kingdom. 96 units were built by BREL in Derby between 1985 and 1987. They were a development of the earlier Class 141 which were introduced in 1984....
development, a Pacer railbus was being developed by Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
-based Hunslet-Barclay. The train used a Walter Alexander
Walter Alexander Coachbuilders
Walter Alexander Coachbuilders was a Scottish bus coachbuilder and operater based in Falkirk.-History:Walter Alexander, notice a lack expasion by the Falkirk and District Tramways Company's especially in to Grangemouth which never hdd a tram line. In 1913 Alexander's Motor Service was created to...
bus body and entered service in 1985. Again with 2 × 205 bhp motors giving a total output of 410 bhp and a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), the class originally had a capacity of 122 passengers per 2 coach unit.
Twenty-five units were built, numbered 143001-025, originally deployed in North-East England. 143001-019 were supplied in Provincial railbus-style two-tone blue livery, and 143020-025 were supplied in Tyne & Wear PTE yellow+white livery. In 1989, Heaton depot (Newcastle) implemented a unit renumbering scheme, whereby those with original SCG mechanical transmission would be renumbered 1433XX, and those that had undergone conversion to Voith hydraulic transmission would be renumbered 1436XX. By this time, many units had already received Voith transmission, so were renumbered directly from 1430XX to 1436XX. Only the T&WPTE-sponsored units - which received Voith transmission later on - actually carried the 1433XX series, renumbered to 1436XX when they were eventually converted.
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 bespoke Chapman, high back seating installed throughout, along with improved fittings replacing 2+3 bus style low back seating; this reduced seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
to 106 seats per set.
North East
The class was based at Heaton depot (Newcastle) from new, for use throughout the North East of EnglandNorth East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
. As with class 142, problems soon emerged with the SCG mechanical transmission, resulting in poor availability, and frequent loco-hauled substitutions on local services, especially in 1987, continuing to a lesser extent in 1988 and 1989 as the units were progressively fitted with the more suitable Voith hydraulic transmissions. Improved availability of the class enabled the Class 101s to be withdrawn from the region in 1989, by which time the loco-hauled substitutions had also dwindled to typically one set diagram per day, finally petering out in Summer 1990 as the Pacers generally settled down to give more acceptable reliability.
During the problems, a total of four original formations were split, and reformed to make operational DMS-DMS(L) sets, in a bid to alleviate the acute DMU shortage in the region. First to be split were 143002 and 143010, and cars 55643+55676 actually carried unit no. 143026 for a time in 1988. However, the pair was later renumbered 143010. The other cars 55651+55668 appeared later in 1988, with 55651 having a large white number 2 - meant for coach sides - crudely placed across the black 10 of its original unit number, only rectified upon renumbering to 143602. 143003 had spent a lengthy spell out of action with fire damage, then in Summer 1989, car 55644 from it was paired with 55683 (ex-143617), and both given the unit number 143617. The other cars 55658+55669 re-appeared later that Summer, both carrying unit number 143603. These reformations were never reversed to original formations, thus 143602, 143603, 143610 and 143617 remained mis-formed ever since.
143025 did carry the name of 'River Tyne' for sometime when it was based in the North East
Wales
From 1991/92, the units started to be transferred to Cardiff Canton depot for operations in South Wales, and moved over to Wales & West control during privatisation. It then passed on to Wessex TrainsWessex Trains
Wessex Trains was the primary passenger rail operator in the South West of England. The company operated trains in the region bounded by Penzance, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester and Brighton...
, which became part of the Great Western franchise.
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales is a train operating company, owned by Arriva, that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches...
use their Class 142
British Rail Class 142
The British Rail Class 142 is a class of Pacer diesel multiple units used in the United Kingdom. 96 units were built by BREL in Derby between 1985 and 1987. They were a development of the earlier Class 141 which were introduced in 1984....
trains on the commuter lines around Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
to places such as Rhymney
Rhymney Line
The Rhymney Line is a commuter rail line running from Central Cardiff through the Rhymney valley via Heath and Llanishen in the north of the city, to Caerphilly, Bargoed and Rhymney.-History:...
, Aberdare
Aberdare
Aberdare is an industrial town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Dare and Cynon. The population at the census was 31,705...
and Barry Island
Barry Island
Barry Island may refer to:*Barry Island , Wales*Barry Island , Antarctica...
. Additionally, Arriva have deployed 143s on longer journeys, such as those from to Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
, , Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock is a town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, lying north of Pembroke on the River Cleddau. Originally a small fishing village known as Paterchurch, the town was greatly expanded from 1814 onwards following the construction of a Royal Naval Dockyard...
and .
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.
Arriva Trains Wales commenced a minor interior refresh of their Class 143 in Autumn 2009. The seats are being retrimmed into the Arriva moquette. Additionally on the exterior of the Class 143 Pacer trains, LED head and rear marker lights and LED door obstruction marker lights are being installed.
South-West England
Wessex TrainsWessex Trains
Wessex Trains was the primary passenger rail operator in the South West of England. The company operated trains in the region bounded by Penzance, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester and Brighton...
used their fleet primarily on commuter services around Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, although towards the end of the franchises they were increasingly on longer distance Cardiff
Cardiff Central railway station
Cardiff Central railway station is a major railway station on the South Wales Main Line in Cardiff, Wales.It is the largest and busiest station in Wales and one of the major stations of the British rail network, the tenth busiest station in the United Kingdom outside of London , based on 2007/08...
to 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.
First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
inherited the seven Wessex Trains
Wessex Trains
Wessex Trains was the primary passenger rail operator in the South West of England. The company operated trains in the region bounded by Penzance, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester and Brighton...
units when the franchises were merged in April 2006. An eighth set used by Wessex (143613) caught fire near in October 2004 and has since been broken up at Cardiff Canton.
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 fluorescent lighting diffusers
Since December 2008 the Class 143s are based at Exeter TMD
Exeter TMD
Exeter TMD is a railway Traction Maintenance Depot situated in Exeter, Devon, England, next to the city's main St Davids station. The depot is operated by First Great Western.There are 12 roads, the Traction Maintenance Depot can hold 2 sets of vehicles...
alongside seven similar Class 142s. They are now allocated to the following services:
- Avocet LineAvocet LineThe Avocet Line is the railway line in England connecting Exeter with Exmouth. It was originally built by the London and South Western Railway. The line follows the Exe Estuary for most of its route, giving views of the estuary...
Exmouth - Exeter St. Davids - Riviera LineRiviera LineThe Riviera Line is a local railway line that connects the city of Exeter to the "English Riviera" resorts of Torbay in Devon, England. It is closely linked with the Exeter to Plymouth Line with which it shares the route along the South Devon sea wall...
Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot - Paignton - Severn Beach LineSevern Beach LineThe Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
Bristol Temple Meads - Avonmouth - Severn Beach - Tarka LineTarka LineThe Tarka Line is a railway line from Exeter to Barnstaple in Devon, England. The line follows the River Creedy, River Yeo and River Taw for some of its route...
Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids
Fleet details
| Operator | No. of units | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales | 15 | 143601/602/604-610/614/616/622-625 | 143615 withdrawn after a fire |
| First Great Western | 8 | 143603/611/612/617-621 | 143613 withdrawn after a fire |