Pacers!

Unfortunately, not this sort of Pacer but the other kind. The Bristol Evening Post certainly dont like them. And now they have come to Devon because presumably Worst Great Western think they can get away with it. They are not quite like a bus, as modern bus travel is more pleasant, but more like bus travel 20 years ago. A raw 80's feel to them. Four wheels per carriage, based on the Leyland National bus body, with bus seats (3+2 across the train) and bus doors (the doors leak draughts so much that I dont even get drowsy on the journey anymore: too cold to sleep). At over 50mph you feel as if you are going to die. At least the track around here is in good nick as the line has been closed every weekend (and at half term on the line to Paignton)for ages, for Network Rail to install modern track. And when FGW manage to run two units together, all the schoolkids travelling from Torre get a seat (if they didnt sit on a seat, they would soon be upended and find themselves sitting on the floor). Best of all, if you travel in the front unit, you dont have to pay, as there is no corridor connection, and the conductor stays in the back two trucks ("coach" is too strong a word for these beauties). There is no ticket office or collection at either end of my journey. At this rate of fare collection, it is not going to be worth the £10 on my Devon Rail Card.