'We haven't let our passengers down' Operator disputes new train claims HUDDERSFIELD DISTRICT.

Byline: By Nick Lavigueur

TRAIN operator Northern Rail has disputed that it has let its customers down over promises of new rolling stock.

It was announced earlier this year that 30 Sprinter trains would be introduced onto the busiest routes in Yorkshire, replacing the ageing Pacer class trains, which are more than 20 years old.

But disgruntled passengers on the Penistone Line claim that the struggling Pacers, still a common site on the line, are not fit for use and are running late.

One passenger said "they should be in the museum at York."

The passengers are claiming that severe delays on the line on a Saturday in November are due to the Pacer's inability to cope with the slippery autumn conditions.

A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said: "We did have some disruption to services. Because of the conditions and leaf fall, trains were running at a slower speed which affected services throughout the day. This is something that happens to all rolling stock."

But the spokeswoman denied that all the Sprinter stock was being used on the busier Mersey and Leeds routes.

"We did bring in the 30 additional trains and they can be used anywhere across the network. And we have got rid of some of the Pacer trains."

Brian Barnsley, of the Penistone Line Partnership - the voluntary organisation which supports and promotes community involvement along the Huddersfield to Sheffield railway line - said that the Pacers were no more susceptible to slipping than the Sprinters and that the nicer 'express type' trains seen on the line during the summer were an unexpected batch of spares that had since been taken away.

He said: "It's clear the Pacer trains aren't up to it - they're overcrowded at both ends of the line at peak times - in fact it's probably worse in Sheffield.

"New stock was introduced but Northern will always favour busy Leeds and Manchester routes - the trains on the Leeds to Huddersfield line have been doubled in length in some cases.

"Hopefully there's scope for Sprinters on the Penistone Line when the next block of rolling stock is released in the summer," Mr Barnslev added.

TRAINSPOTTERS' PACER FACTFILE

About the Pacer class 142 train:

Some 94 Pacers were built by BREL (British Rail Engineering) in Derby Between 1985 and 1987

They are commonly known as a 'train-bus' because the train body and many fixtures and fittings are based on that of the Leyland National bus.

Northern Rail operate a fleet of 69 Class 142s.

The government originally stated that the Pacer's should last for the duration of the franchisee but after rising passenger numbers of about 10% per annum, some have been replaced by Sprinter trains.

Northern want to dispense with 142s all together by 2011.

The class has a capacity of between 102 and 120 passengers per two-car set.

Initially, the same engines and mechanical transmissions were used as per class 141, as well as the double-folding external doors.

FEATURE PICTURE: A Pacer 142 as used on the Huddersfield to Sheffield Penistone Line. Northern explain that at this time of year as leaves settle on the rail tracks they are compacted into a mulch as soon as the train weighing 100 tons or more runs over them. The wheels exert a pressure of more than 30 tons per square inch. Leaf mulch forms a hard Teflon-like coating on the rails causing the train to slip and slide. This delays trains and can damage the track and the train. All train operators are working together with Network Rail to eliminate this annual problem.

(Picture courtesy of Brian Barnsley - pictured inset)