Since we started Curator with a Camera Anthony, Bob and Thomas have worked their way through some of the most impactful vehicles in our collection including Mallard, Rocket and Flying Scotsman.

Today we're rolling out the big guns and invited Andrew McLean—Head Curator and Assistant Director of the National Railway Museum—to Locomotion in Shildon to film... The Pacer.

[Tumbleweed.]

Oh.

But wait! Could it be that the rudimentary and much-derided Pacer has an interesting story behind it? It does, after all, feature a lot of bus components in its construction—including its body and engines. And just LOOK AT IT.

Despite its reputation for discomfort and schreeching its way around the UK's rail network far beyond its life expectancy, the truth is that the now-retired Pacer enabled millions of people to get not just from A to B but C, D and E, too. If anyone can do its story justice, it's Andrew McLean.

Enjoy!

This gorgeous engineering masterpiece was filmed at Locomotion in Shildon. Find out all about Locomotion here:
https://www.locomotion.org.uk

For the National Railway Museum, head here:
https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

This episode features a Leyland National 2 bus, an integral part of the Pacer story. Generously provided by the Northern National Restoration Group. Check them out here:
https://www.nnrg.co.uk/

Archive footage of the Pacer in action kindly supplied by David Othen:    / @david-othen  

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Origins of the Pacer
02:57 Windscreen and cab
04:52 Newton Heath Depot and the birth of Manchester United
05:25 The squealing 'Nodding Donkey'
06:31 Fuel and engine
06:56 Body and livery
08:20 How to get inside
09:11 Doors, luggage and windows
10:42 Seating arrangements
11:18 A British Rail toilet
12:36 Original signage
13:35 Inside the Class 142 cab
17:23 Destination panel and a fun fact about Agatha Christie
18:24 The Pacer's legacy
19:19 Like and subscribe!

#railways #trains #museum