Diesel multiple units built in the 1980s by British Rail could be replaced in the next decade, as the Department for Transport believes there are “likely to be significant opportunities” to replace them with modern diesels.
Outlined in the Rolling Stock Perspective: Moving Britain Ahead report published on May 18, this would mean that as well as the Pacers, potentially all Class 150s, ‘153s’, ‘155s’, ‘156s’, ‘158s’ and ‘159s’ could be withdrawn. That would be 1,033 vehicles if all were replaced like-for-like.
However, the report does state: “Good high quality refurbishment can deliver a passenger experience comparable with new rolling stock.”
- For more on this, read RAIL 802, published on June 8.
Tim Hall - 24/05/2016 21:18
When you think about it, the 15X has now reached the age the first generation DMUs had reached when the Sprinters were built to replace them. I remember how ropey the "Heritage" DMUs had got by the end; the Sprinters have aged rather better, and I'd have thought they've got another decade of life left in them. Not so the Pacers, of course.