Preservation of the future...
 

Standing on Manchester Piccadilly a few weeks ago, I had one of those bizzare moments, I'll explain if I can.

Ten or so years earlier I had been stood in almost the exact same spot and I could see Class 158, 156, 142 etc. DMU's and alongside them first generatiom DMU's such as 101's and the so on and so forth, and the image that strikes you is something of a contrast between old and new. You could see that those old DMU's where reaching the end of their working lives.

And I saw the exact same thing today. Except now it was the Sprinters and Pacers looking like the old DMU's and the newer 185's etc. where the modern thing, and that sort of struck me really.

I imagine the 158's have at least a decade left to go but I can see the 150 and the 142 being withdrawn perhaps earlier than this, maybe much earlier, and I can't help but feel like they're going to fade into the void and nobody will want to remember them.

I just wonder if anyone else can see, or would particularly want to see, Sprinters or Pacers of any class enter preservation.

Personally I'd be interested in a Class 142 preservation society because I have a bizzare fondness for the 142, but I'm pretty sure I'm one a million there. :D

Anyway I imagine now might be the right time to start planning for the preservation of a lot of trains from the 80's and early 90's?

Sorry if this seems like a daft discussion idea. :D

I can remember been blown away by the 150 when on trial at stourbridge fresh from the works (plastic still on seats) but agree that they are now past their best. They have been instrumental in the modernisation of the railways in my view. The problem preserving them I presume will be the complex electronics and with scrap prices so high will anyone justify cost of a unit anyway? May be a case for NRM or similar to preserve one.
Regards

Possibly TWO in a million. Don't forget we have "John_142" on the forum.:)

I think 6678bjm has hit the nail on the head:

The preservation movement is already having problems sourcing spares for diesels.

The more recent diesels are even more difficult and expensive to maintain and as far as the DMUs are concerned the way they were built.

The more modern stock which many heritage railways (The EVR included) have acquired very cheaply is proving a two edged sword, proving very difficult to maintain in good condition.

So while I can see it as desirable to preserve the newer stock, I am not sure that they are going to be very servicable for heritage lines.

One thing that depresses me when visiting Barrow Hill are the lines of rusting diesels, a sort of laterday Barry.

Sorry to be depressing.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

I know that there are a few people at the East Lancs who would love to get some 142s and the like. I personally don't care for them, but I can appreciate why people do. I think there'll always be someone who's willing to preserve something, especially if it's what they grew up with. I wouldn't mind a 158 on the East Lancs I suppose, but we've got a few units being overhauled at the moment (108 and 122) so I don't know how the diesel department and carriage and wagon would go on with regards to keeping them in a servicable conndition. I'm personally looking forward to the day when you can stand in Bolton Street station with a Jubilee at the head of one train, a Class 50 at the head of another and a 185 sitting in platform 2, shuttling up and down to the completed Baron Street complex. Ah well, I can always dream...

When I say 153 etc. I of course mean the entire 15x range of sprinters which are all very similar in outward appearance in many ways, perhaps the 158 being the most unique.

Personally I'd be down the ELR every day to help out on any work preserving sprinters or pacers. I think the 158 in freshly applied Reigonal Railways Express would look quite the thing at Bury Bolton Street.

That's my personal fantasy. :p

We've had a 158 on the railway recently actually, but we weren't allowed to use. It came up from Arriva Wales for something to do with Sandite trials. I've seen the pictures, it stands out like a sore thumb at Bolton Street!

....I remember those pictures. I liked them. >_>

Each to their own though I suppose?