Northern Rails Pacer trains deemed as “unacceptable” may not be replaced quite yet

By Greg Dawson
Highly criticised Pacer trains could be used until next year despite Northern Rail pledging they would scrap them by the end of this year.
Northern Rail has said it is still working hard to replace the dishevelled trains that have been dubbed “buses on wheels “.
The trains may be kept on for longer as the newer trains brought to replace them have a “small number” design faults on the couplers that join together their carriages.
The trains were built in the 1980s from the body of bus frames intended to have a life span of 20 years.
The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We have repeatedly been told they will be off our rails by the end of the year and it now looks like they will still be screeching and trundling across the North into next year.”
“This delay is yet another broken promise to people of the North.”
Northern Rail has said in a statement that the final date for the removal is under review adding that the first Pacer train would be retired in August and that they want them all removed before next year to avoid new legislation.