Classes 142 143 144

Classes 142, 143, 144,

Britain's Railways Series Vol 65,

In the 1980s, British Rail introduced a new train type that could operate on local networks without a requirement for high speeds.

Initially Class 141s were introduced, known as railbuses; these were designed with Leyland bus-type coaching stock attached to a four-wheel base.

Following the initial batch of 20 trains, Classes 142, 143 and 144 were developed.

They were intended as a short-term solution to replace old and obsolete stock at a time when funding shortages required creative thinking about temporary coaching stock.

Largely regarded as unpopular with travellers, their bench-style seating was uncomfortable, the noise levels could be loud and the journey bumpy.

Even so, many lasted longer than their anticipated 20-year service, with the last of them being withdrawn around 2019.

Their final years in service are illustrated in this review with more than 200 photographs.

Author: Mark V Pike

ISBN: 978 1 80282 829 0

96 pages

Released on 27^th June 2025