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Accurascale ACC3394

Class 142 - GW Chocolate & Cream 'Skipper' - 142015

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

142015 (55556+55606) Exeter St Davids / Paignton

The next 13 units, 142015-142027, were for use on branch lines in Devon and Cornwall. New to Plymouth Laira between September-December 1985 and branded as ‘Skippers’ they were delivered in a chocolate and cream scheme in a reverse of the Great Western coaching stock livery, appropriate considering the GW150 celebrations that had been taking place that same year. This was applied to the same format as later introduced on the Provincial ‘Pacers’ complete with the same white waist band. Entering service on routes including Barnstaple-Exeter-Exmouth, Liskeard-Looe, Newton Abbot-Paignton, Par-Newquay, Penzance-St Erth-St Ives, Plymouth-Gunnislake and Truro-Falmouth, their introduction was not a happy one. Despite the best efforts of newly-installed greasing equipment, they were found to be entirely unsuited to the South West with the tight curves and difficult gradients leading to excessive tyre wear and wheel noise on the long-wheelbase units. They were transferred north starting with 142017 in August 1987 and the ‘Skippers’ were no more after the last day of November with the fleet being split between Newton Heath and Neville Hill. However, it wasn’t long before the majority of the units were on the move again to Heaton to supplement the Alexander-Barclay built Class 143s. Of our releases, 142015 is as built and firmly set in the South West. With its Exeter St Davids / Paignton destinations it would have made a fine sight on the sea wall at Dawlish. Meanwhile, Tyne & Wear-based 142024 has the revised destination blind, extra bodyside vent and subtly different labelling.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Accurascale Class 142 – GW Chocolate & Cream ‘Skipper’ – 142015 is a DCC‑ready model of a British Rail Class 142 diesel multiple‑unit. The kit is supplied under manufacturer part number ACC3394 and represents the British Rail sectorisation era.

The model depicts unit 142015 in the chocolate and cream livery introduced for the “Skippers” fleet serving Devon and Cornwall. The units were built for use on branch lines and were delivered to Plymouth Laira between September and December 1985. They operated on routes such as Exeter St Davids to Paignton, Barnstaple‑Exeter‑Exmouth, Liskeard‑Looe and others. Because of excessive tyre wear and wheel noise on the tight curves and gradients of the South West, the fleet was transferred north from August 1987, with the final “Skipper” service ending on 30/11/1987.

This release shows 142015 in its as‑built condition, with original destination blinds, bodyside vents and the white waist band typical of the provincial “Pacers”. It is suitable for users wanting an accurate representation of a South West unit before its removal from service.