Class 143 “Pacer” DMU 143602 leads a class 142 “Pacer” on the 10:46 service from Cardiff Central to Bargeod, 18th December 2008. The class 143 fleet of twenty five two car units was introduced between 1985 and 1986. They originally worked around the North East but were later transferred to Wales. The vehicles are based on an Alexander bus body mounted on a four wheeled chassis. The twenty-five units were originally numbered 143001-025 but later re-numbered 143601 – 143625. Two units (143613/15) have been withdrawn and broken up due to fire damage. Arriva Trains Wales operates fifteen class 143 units on South Wales Valleys duties.

Tags:   18th December

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Arrival Trains Wales class 150/2 two car unit 150241 stands in the new platform 0 at Cardiff Central, 18th December 2008.

Unit History
Built at York works in 1987 and originally used on Yorkshire duties I first saw this unit on the 28th May 1987 at Derby.

Tags:   18th December 150241

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150256 awaits departure from Cardiff Central for West Wales and the end of the line with the 10:54 service to Fishguard Harbour, 18th December 2008.

Unit History
150256 is part of the final batch of eighty five class 150 two-car units that were built in 1986/87 with front-end gangway connections, which allowed passengers to move between two units that were working in multiple. These units were classified as class 150/2 and are numbered in the range 150201-285. They had different interiors to the earlier units and were used on longer-distance services. Arriva Trains Wales is the biggest operator of class 150/2 units operating sixty of the eighty five units.

Tags:   18th December 150256

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With less than three minutes to go before departure the guard of the 14:28 Shrewsbury – Crewe local service keeps a lookout for any last minute passengers, 18th December 2008. The service is formed of one of Arriva Trains Wales fleet of sixty class 150/2 second generation DMU’s 150264 which date from 1986/87.

Tags:   18th December 150264

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Single car class 153 DMU 153367 awaits departure from Shrewsbury with the 14:05 Heart of Wales service to Swansea, 18th December 2008.

Unit History
153367 is one of eight class 153 units operated by Arriva Trains Wales and was originally numbered 57317 as part of a two car class 155 two car unit 155317 (built in 1988) until rebuilt as a single car unit and renumbered 57367 in 1992. I first saw this vehicle as part of 155317 in Birmingham New Street on the 3rd March 1988.

Tags:   18th December 153367

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