Hornby R326

British Rail Class 142 142015 British Rail Brown & Cream

Contents

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 142015

The British Rail Class 142 "Pacer" comprised 96 two-car DMUs built 1985-1987 using Leyland National bus bodies on railway underframes. These controversial units served Northern England and South Wales for 35 years despite universal criticism for rough ride quality from their four-wheel rigid chassis, inadequate heating, and cramped bus-style seating. Originally fitted with unreliable Leyland TL11 engines, the fleet received Cummins L10 re-engineering 1993-1996. PRM-TSI accessibility regulations forced complete withdrawal by November 2020, though 31 units entered preservation. Realtrack Models produces detailed OO gauge representations (£280 RRP) whilst Dapol offers N gauge versions (£162 RRP) across multiple PTE, BR, and privatisation-era liveries.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.