143603 - 55658 & 55669 Class 143 Driving Motor Second & Driving Motor Second Lavatory

Home Railway	Vale of Berkeley Railway	Location History	Vale of Berkeley Railway Aug 24-Present
Current Location	Vale of Berkeley Railway
Current Status	Stored	Visited Railways	Chasewater Railway Jan 21-Nov 21
Current Livery	Great Western Railway		Private Site: Wishaw (storage) Nov 21-Aug 24
TRA Designation	4
Owner	Vale of Berkeley Railway
Website	valeofberkeleyrailway.co.uk
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 143603 was the first Class 143 that was announced as set aside for preservation in late 2019, with a planned future at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. Its last home was at Exeter under Great Western Railway. However the deal later collapsed and 143603 subsequently became the second set preserved when it was moved by road to the Chasewater Railway on behalf of its owners the Vale of Berkeley Railway. Their line was a recent start-up and the Pacers were seen as good operational units to run future services with. 143603 was kept operational at Chasewater Railway alongside the preserved Class 142 units there, and made its debut on passenger services there in May 2021. However this was to be short lived with 143603 later being taken from the railway after less than a year and sent for contract storage at RSS Wishaw, where it stayed for almost three years. In Summer 2024, 143603 was moved to its proper home at the Vale of Berkeley Railway, following which much mould was cleaned from the seating. As the railway has not yet established a running line or public opening, 143603 remains out of the spotlight until future times.
Future Plans The Vale of Berkeley Railway have stated that in due course 143603 will be used on passenger services on their reopened line.

	The first half of 143603 following unloading at the Vale of Berkeley Railway, 8/24. Vale of Berkeley Railway

	The first half of 143603 arriving onto the Vale of Berkeley Railway, 8/24. Vale of Berkeley Railway

	143603 stored at Wishaw, 3/1/23. Ken Jones

	143603 stored in a haulage yard at Wishaw, 9/8/22. Ken Jones

	143603 working services on the Chasewater Railway, on its first day in traffic, 22/5/21. Alistair Grieve