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The first of the notorious Pacer trains has been “retired” says rail operator Northern.

And while a few sets will trundle on into 2020, none of the ageing units should survive on Teesside beyond the end of 2019.

After travelling more than 3m miles in 32 years of service, the first of seven Pacer trains to be withdrawn from service this week, unit number 142005, made its final journey today, between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

Meanwhile on Teesside, several Pacers continued to go about their business - as they have done since their introduction in the 1980s.

Based on a bus design and notorious for their lack of comfort, they’re a regular sight on Teesside’s rails, particularly on the Saltburn to Bishop Auckland route.

They were originally all earmarked for withdrawal by the end of the year - only for Northern to admit a few will survive into the new year .

Northern has 79 Class 142s in its fleet, and all were due to be withdrawn by the end of the year - as were 23 Class 144 Pacers. However, delays introducing new trains mean the 144s will stay in traffic into next year.

But on the day of the first withdrawal, a Northern spokesman confirmed to Teesside Live that the Pacers surviving into 2020 will probably be used in South Yorkshire - meaning the end is nigh for the Pacer on Teesside.

Northern MD David Brown said: “The Northern network is busier than it has been for a generation – more than 100m customer journeys will be made on Northern services in 2019 – and the introduction of new trains and the retirement of the Pacers is at the heart of our transformation for customers.

“We have 15 brand new trains carrying customers, with 91 more to come throughout 2019 and into 2020. In all, we will introduce 101 new trains, a £500m investment in rail in the north. These fantastic new trains will give our customers a genuine step-change in journey experience.”

David Sidebottom, director at user group Transport Focus, said: “Passengers won’t be sorry to see these outdated and uncomfortable trains depart for retirement.

“Pacers have become a potent symbol for the need to invest in better transport infrastructure across the North. Their replacements cannot arrive too soon, though it’s now equally important that the railway improves punctuality and reliability of services, so passengers see every possible benefit from each new train.”

In addition to the Pacer retiring today, a further six are being taken out of daily service and stored at a Northern depot. They will, however, be maintained for possible use “if required in exceptional circumstances”.

In partnership with the Department for Transport and leasing company Porterbrook, three Pacer carriages will be donated in 2020 and transformed into “community assets”. Applications are sought via a competition seeking “innovative and society focused projects”. Interested parties, such as community groups, charities and schools, can apply at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pacer-competition-application-form-and-guidelines