British Rail Class 141
| British Rail Class 141 Pacer | |
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141108 at the Colne Valley Railway
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Interior of a Class 141.
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| In service | 1984 - 2005 |
| Manufacturer | British Leyland |
| Order no. |
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| Family name | Pacer |
| Refurbishment | 1988 - 1989 |
| Formation |
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| Diagram |
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| Fleet numbers |
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| Capacity |
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| Operator(s) |
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| Depot(s) | Neville Hill |
| Line(s) served | West Yorkshire |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel |
| Car length | 15.45 m (50.7 ft) |
| Width | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3.906 m (12.81 ft) |
| Articulated sections | 2 |
| Wheelbase | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Weight |
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| Prime mover(s) | 1 × Leyland TL11 |
| Power output | 205 hp (153 kW) |
| Transmission | SCGR500 4-speed |
| Train heating |
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| Bogies | AX1 |
| Braking system(s) | Air |
| Safety system(s) | AWS |
| Coupling system |
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| Headlight type | Fluorescent |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 141 was the first production model of the Pacer diesel multiple units. Its lifespan in the UK was 14 years, some units were exported to Iran operating for 8 years, for a total lifespan of 22 years.
In the early 1980s British Rail were looking to replace the remaining 1950s first generation diesel multiple units on lightly used branch lines. Financial pressures precluded them ordering more heavyweight second generation units (the business case could not be made to balance) so were looking for a cheaper alternative.
British Rail engineers looked at the Leyland National bus, then in widespread usage, with its modular design as a basis for the design. Several single and two car prototypes were built before an order was placed with Leyland Bus for twenty class 141 two car units in 1984.
The units were notoriously unreliable, but reliability improved when the units were modified by Hunslet-Barclay between 1988 and 1989. At the same time the railway couplings (which was a Buckeye coupling) were replaced with the type fitted to the later Class 142, for more flexible working.
Both axles (one driving per coach at the inner end) were fitted directly to the chassis rather than being mounted on bogies, leading to a rather rough ride especially over pointwork, because of this the units were generally less popular with passengers.
The units were based mainly in and across West Yorkshire on routes radiating from Leeds, where they worked up until 1997 when they were replaced by Class 142. They were sponsored by West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, and were initially painted in the PTE's Verona green and buttermilk livery with "MetroTrain" branding, later receiving the red and cream "Metro-Train" livery.
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