British Rail Class 143 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 143 "Pacer"
143605 at Cardiff Central railway station
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(s)	Arriva Trains Wales First Great Western
Line(s) served	Bristol local lines, Valley Lines
Specifications
Car length	15.2 metres
Width	2.7 metres
Maximum speed	75mph
Weight	26.3 tonnes
Prime mover(s)	Cummins LTA10-R (Originally Leyland TL11)
Safety system(s)	AWS, TPWS
Track gauge	1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)

The Class 143 is a special type of train called a diesel multiple unit. It's part of the Pacer family of trains. These trains were first used between 1985 and 1986. They are known for their unique design, which is a bit like a bus on train wheels!

These trains first operated in North East England. Later, many of them moved to Wales. They were designed to be a cheaper way to run local train services.

What is a Class 143 Pacer?

The British Rail Class 143 is a train that runs on diesel fuel. It's called a "multiple unit" because it has its own engine and can run by itself. This means it doesn't need a separate engine to pull it. Pacers were built to be light and cost-effective. They were a quick solution for busy local train lines.

How They Were Built

Twenty-five Class 143 trains were made. They were built by two companies: Andrew Barclay and Walter Alexander. The first trains were numbered 143001 to 143025. Later, their numbers changed to 143601 to 143625.

Bus on Rails?

What makes the Class 143 special is how it was put together. The main part of the train, called the coach, was based on a bus body made by Alexander. This bus body was then placed onto a special frame, or chassis, that came from a freight truck. This design made them different from most other trains. Unlike many trains, Pacers don't have large spinning parts called bogies under each carriage. Instead, they have single axles at each end.

Where They Traveled

When they were new, Class 143 trains mostly served areas in North East England. Over time, many of them were moved to Wales. They became a common sight on local lines around Bristol and the Valley Lines in Wales. They helped people travel around these areas for many years.

Inside the Pacer

Each Class 143 train usually has two cars or sections. These trains can carry about 106 passengers. The inside of the train is designed for short, local journeys. Over the years, some of the interiors have been updated.

Fast Facts About the Class 143

• Length: Each car is about 15.2 metres long.
• Width: They are about 2.7 metres wide.
• Weight: Each train weighs around 26.3 tonnes.
• Top Speed: They can travel up to 75 miles per hour.
• In Service: These trains have been running since 1985.
• Safety: They use safety systems like AWS and TPWS. These systems help drivers stay safe and prevent accidents.

Images for kids

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  Unlike most other rolling stock on the UK network, Class 143s (in common with other Pacers) lack bogies, instead having single axles at each end of the vehicle (Red Boxes).

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  BR Regional Railways blue (Carlisle, undated)

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  BR Regional Railways sector livery (Seaham, 1991)

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  Tyne & Wear PTE livery with 'TW Pacer' branding (Seaham, 1991)

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  Wessex Trains 'Visit Bristol' Bristol Temple Meads, 2005)

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  Wales and Borders 'Valley Lines' with later Arriva branding (Gloucester, 2005)

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  Arriva Trains Wales (Cardiff Central, 2009)

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  First Great Western Bristol Temple Meads, 2008)

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  First Great Western Bristol Temple Meads, 2009)

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  Arriva Trains Wales 'Executive' (Cardiff Central, 2016)

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  Great Western Railway (Exeter, 2017)

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  Arriva Trains Wales Cab

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  Wessex Trains

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  Wales and West 'Valley Lines'

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  Arriva Trains Wales

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  First Great Western

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  Great Western Railway