Transport for Wales BR Class 142 'Pacer' DMU Add-On

Compatibility: Train Sim World 6
British Rail Class 142 Pacers are Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units (DHMU) built for British Railways from 1985 to 1987. The Class is fairly unique in that it was built to try and keep development costs down and was therefore built with a high level of commonality with a Leyland-National road bus. For example, they have folding access doors just like a bus.

The Class 142 does not have separate bogies and the axles are attached directly to the train chassis, which can result in some distinctive ride characteristics. The last Class 142 set was withdrawn from UK public service in 2020, but many have been bought by heritage railways and are still in regular use.

The Just Trains Transport for Wales (TfW) Class 142 Pacer has been especially created for use on Dovetail Games' Cardiff City Network: Radur & Coryton – Penarth & Bae Caerdydd Route Add-On.

The Class 142 Pacer was used extensively in the UK and specifically by Arriva Trains Wales in Wales. These Arriva DHMUs were taken over by Transport for Wales in October 2018. 

The Just Trains TfW Class 142 Pacer features the transition livery when the Arriva names and logos were removed and TfW branding was placed over the basic underlying Arriva livery. Two versions are supplied: one with no TfW branding at all and the other with the TfW large side length 'THE START OF A NEW JOURNEY' banner art proclaiming the transition to TfW operations.

As with many trains, there have been many changes and variations throughout their lives, and we have incorporated these into our TfW 142 to make it time-period correct.

For those new to the Pacer a Tutorial is provided. With five engaging scenarios and a custom Timetable that covers a 24-hour period set in 2019, this specially created Pacer will give you the authentic TfW Pacer experience.

KEY FEATURES

  • Authentic engine and transmission sound set
  • Highly authentic suspension set-up
  • TfW Transition livery
  • TfW Transition ‘THE START OF A NEW JOURNEY’ banner livery
  • LED headlights
  • Two-leaf bi-fold doors
  • Period door open/close operating buttons
  • Sanding equipment 
  • 'Smash glass to access' emergency door handle (non-operational in this simulation)
  • Roof-mounted NRN (National Radio Network) and GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway) antennas
  • Period seat design and layout featuring a new authentic maquette
  • Operational DRA (Driver's Reminder Appliance)
  • Operating GSM-R radio (part operational)
  • Operational TPWS system
  • Custom announcements spoken by a native Welshman
  • New additional Timetable set in 2019
  • Livery designer compatible
  • Class 150 and Class 153 in Ex-Arriva Trains Wales liveries (models not supplied with this TfW Class 142 software; these are supplied with the Cardiff City Network route.)
  • Detailed PDF manual included
Class 150 and Class 153 in Ex-Arriva Trains Wales liveries

We have supplied three additional liveries for owners of the Dovetail Games Cardiff City Network route: two for the Class 153 and one for the Class 150; both locomotives are included with the Cardiff City Network route.

These are fully driveable but only when used in Service mode. They are not accessible in Free Roam or livery Designer.


WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE TFW CLASS 142

There are many ways to experience the Transport for Wales Class 142:

  • Scenarios
  • Timetable
  • Journeys
  • Free Roam

Scenarios

Five exciting and varied scenarios are included.

Depot Start
Difficulty: 1 / Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Train: Class 142 Transport for Wales
Prepare a Class 142 for service before operating the first trip to Coryton and Cardiff Bay.

End of Day
Difficulty: 2 / Duration: 50 minutes
Train: Class 142 Ex-Arriva Trains Wales
Operate a late-night service to Penarth and back before shutting down the unit at Canton depot for the night.

Stormy Aftermath
Difficulty: 4 / Duration: 40 minutes
Train: Class 142 Transport for Wales
Strong winds and heavy downpours have hit South Wales over the past few days. Operate a route-proving train to check that the lines are safe to run on.

The Long Way Round
Difficulty: 1 / Duration: 40 minutes
Train: Class 142 Ex-Arriva Trains Wales
Operate a Radyr to Coryton service, a much longer route by train when compared to walking.

The Taff Traverser
Difficulty: 2 / Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Train: Class 142 Transport for Wales
The Just Bashers Society have hired a pair of Class 142s to explore some of the Welsh Valleys.


Timetable

We have created a brand-new additional Timetable so you can experience an intense 24-hour period of intense operations for Cardiff in 2019! 


Journeys

Journeys provide a curated experience for owners wishing to explore the action further. Start a Journey and enjoy timetabled services and scenarios to complete around the route, driving the Transport for Wales Class 142.


Free Roam
The Free Roam feature allows you to choose a station on the route and drive a train from it, driving as you wish.


LAYERING

‘Layering’ is using other add-ons that you own to enhance your Transport for Wales Class 142 experience.

If you have any of the add-ons listed below in your Steam library, the Transport for Wales Class 142 timetable will call on the appropriate locomotives and rolling stock from them to allow you to enjoy a fuller timetable experience. 

Note: These additional add-ons are not required for the Cardiff City Network route to operate; they are optional add-ons which, if you own them, will give you a more authentic experience.

Compatible add-ons as of October 2025:

TRAINING MODULE

To help you master the Transport for Wales Class 142, a training module is available to take you through the basics. 

Development Updates

28 August 2025

Welcome to the next Development Entry for the Transport for Wales BR Class 142 'Pacer' DMU.

The Class 142 Pacer was the de-facto commuter unit from 1985 to 2020 across many routes in the UK. The 142 series was British Rails attempt to produce a low-cost unit for the railways and was literally based on a road bus chassis which meant that it had no separate bogies, having the axles bolted directly to the chassis rails.

The 142 was used in South Wales around the Cardiff area but in 2016 the existing operator was superseded by Transport for Wales which led to a period of transformation from the existing predominantly Teal livery which involved removal of the previous operators name and replacement by a large TFW Banner along its side.

Our TfW Class 142 Pacer not only features these livery transformations but includes numerous changes both internally and externally to bring the unit up to being period correct. Externally the upgrades include the 2-door bi-fold entry/exit door, LED headlights, sanding unit along with numerous other small details. Internally there is a new seat design and layout featuring a new authentic maquette. In the upgraded cab there is a GSMR radio, operational DRA and TPWS along with other functional enhancements overall. Hear the custom created announcements spoken by a native Welshman as you arrive at the stations. Designed for use in the Dovetail Cardiff Network route, the Just Trains TfW Class 142 features an additional timetable which is set in 2019 and takes advantage of other DLC that you own including the Rivet Games WMR & XC Class 170 Pack.

Enjoy these latest screenshots and look out for some more updates soon.

 
01 April 2025

Pawb yn newid os gwelwch yn dda! - All change please!

Croeso i'n herthygl gyntaf ar gyfer y Just Trains Class 142 TrC Pacer - Welcome to our first in-development post for the Just Trains TfW Class 142 Pacer! In this in-dev we are looking at the external areas of the bouncy Pacer!

We are very pleased to announce that we are developing the Class 142 Pacer especially for use in the Dovetail Cardiff City Network route. The Class 142 Pacer was used extensively in the UK and specifically by Arriva Trains Wales in Wales. These Arriva DMU’s were taken over by Transport for Wales in October 2018.

Our Pacer features the transition livery when the Arriva names and logos were removed and the TfW branding were placed over the basic underlying Arriva livery. We are supplying two versions of this, one with no TfW branding at all and the other with the TfW large side length “THE START OF A NEW JOURNEY” banner art proclaiming the transition to TfW operations.

As with many trains there are many changes and variations throughout their lives and we have incorporated these into our TfW 142 to make it time-period correct.

Aside from the debranding of the previous operator this version has LED Headlights, the 4 leaf doors replaced with 2 leaf Bi-Fold doors, updated door open/close operating buttons, Sanding equipment fitted to aid with slippery rails, the smash glass to access emergency door handle (non operational in the sim) and on the roof are the NRN (National Radio Network) and GSM-R (Global System for Mobile for Railways) antennas.

Byddwn yn gadael i'r lluniau wneud y siarad! - We will let the pictures do the talking!

Transport for Wales BR Class 142 'Pacer' DMU Add-On
Train Sim World 6