Good News for Northern Rail passengers?

News gleaned from the latest Rail magazine is that Northern Rail are to replace 26 "Pacers" (aka "Nodding Donkeys" , or "Buses on Rails") with 30 Class 158 units, transferred from other train companies who have upgraded their fleets. Northern has experienced 19% passenger growth since 2004 and this will be good news for most passengers, but will it be good for bike-rail users? Some 158's have a tiny cubby-hole for bikes, which will take two but only if all panniers etc are removed. This was removed on some of the units and a flexible space created where you could get four bikes, or have extra standing space for passengers on crowded rush-hour trains, We will be pressing Northern to make modifications to these units, via their Cycle Forum. Some of the pacers are fitted with a very useful cycle rack, where bags could be placed overhead, and these incorporated heated handrails - much needed after time spent waiting on a cold Northern platform!

The pacers will apparently be placed in "warm store" to be used as required on crowded services. Paul Salveson, Northern's Head of Govt & Community Strategies, has in the past suggested that pacer coaches be used as "add-ons" to carry bikes and heavy luggage - however with the leasing charges for a pacer currently running at a cool million pounds a year this seems a slim prospect. Paul has an article in the Rail magazine about bikes on trains, in advance of the publication of their Cycle Strategy, recently previewed at Manchester Airport.

In other Rail news, the government is to fund the purchase of an additional 1,000 coaches to be used across the network by 2012, and has released the specifications for the replacement of the High Speed Train. We need to keep an eye on these developments and ensure cyclists don't lose out.

Whatever the limitations, heavy rail continues to be the only public transport mode that takes integration with cycling seriously.

(Posted to ppnews by Simon)