Realtrack RT144-111

British Rail Class 144 144012 Northern Rail Blue & Purple

Contents

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 144012

The British Rail Class 144 "Pacer" represents the final evolution of BR's controversial railbus experiment. Built 1986-1987 at BREL Derby, these 23 units (13 two-car, 10 three-car) combined Walter Alexander bodies with BREL underframes, creating Britain's only three-car Pacer variant. Serving exclusively in Yorkshire and Northern England for 34 years across five operators (BR Provincial, Regional Railways, Northern Spirit, Arriva, Northern Rail), the fleet worked intensive stopping services on routes including the Harrogate Line, Esk Valley Line, and Leeds-Morecambe corridor. Despite notorious ride quality and accessibility issues forcing 2020 withdrawal, 19 units survived into preservation with 14 operational on heritage railways—an exceptional rate reflecting their regional significance and operational versatility.

Operator & Livery

  • Operator: Northern Rail
  • Livery: Blue & Purple
  • Era: 9 - Privatisation