143623 - 55664 & 55689 Class 143 Driving Motor Second & Driving Motor Second Lavatory

Home Railway

Wensleydale Railway

Location History

Wensleydale Railway Jul 21-Present

Current Location

Wensleydale Railway

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

Regional Railways

TRA Designation

4

Owner

Wensleydale Railway

Website

Record Last Updated

1 October 2023

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
143623 became the 9th of the class to be preserved after it was secured for use by theWensleydale Railway in July 2021. The set joined a huge Pacer fleet at the line, "completeing the set" as 143623 was the only Class 143 alongside the 142 & 144 units already preserved there. An appeal had been circulated to fund the transport costs of 143623 to the railway.

During 2022 the set was repainted into Regional Railways Livery, becoming the first Class 143 in preservation to carry the colour scheme. It was also the first second generation unit to be painted into a heritage livery from the extensive Wensleydale collection. 143623's return to passenger service was delayed but the set debuted in its new colour scheme in June 2023.

Since then 143623 has operated regularly, sharing passenger duties with the rest of the operating fleet.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

With branding and numbering now fully completed, 143623 shows off its completed repaint at Leeming Bar, 14/6/23. Jason Smith

143623 at Leeming Bar following repainting into Regional Railways livery, but not yet back in service as the final lettering had not been completed, 13/10/22.Wensleydale Railway

143623 shortly after arrival, 13/7/21.Wensleydale Railway

The passenger saloon, being cleaned for preservation era passenger use, 16/7/21. Wensleydale Railway