Have you spotted the old pacer return to the Bishop Line this week?
Don’t worry, they’re not going to be a permanent feature for travellers on the Bishop Line. An old Class 142 pacer train has been fitted with cryogenic cleaning equipment, known as Cryogrip, to help clear the line and minimise disruption and is being trialled this autumn.
The train, which will not be carrying passengers, is due to run along the line between services in Northern’s timetable blasting dry ice onto the train tracks to clear away fallen leaves.
Developed by engineers from the University of Sheffield, it works by firing dry ice pellets at the railhead, in a stream of air at supersonic speed.
Any leaves on the line are frozen and then blasted away as the dry ice pellets turn back into a gas.
Find out more about the technology and Northern programme on their website.
Photo credit: J Askwith
