Porterbrook's Pacer Evolution

摘要

Although government transport policy has clearly indicated the days of the Pacer are numbered, rolling stock company Porterbrook has pressed ahead and produced its Class 144e (evolution) demonstrator. The company showed off its refreshed unit, 144012, to the industry and media on June 26 at the Rail Vehicle Engineering Ltd (RVEL) Derby facility. Externally a new variation on the Northern blue livery is used, along with a 'smile' where it meets the yellow front end. Beneath the solebar little has changed, save for the addition of a controlled-emission toilet (CET) tank above the drive shaft. The shaft has new safety loops to contain it should the bearings fail and these are attached to the CET tank.