New Class 143 and Class 144 in N

The Class 143 / 144 is based around Dapol’s existing Class 142 chassis. Artworks are underway and the new models are expected to be in shops sometime in Q4 2025.

Class 143 Proposed Liveries

• 2D-143-001 Class 143 BR Provincial Light Blue 143001
• 2D-143-002 Class 143 First Great Western Local Lines 143621
• 2D-143-003 Class 143 GWR Dark Green 143620 
• 2D-143-004 Class 143 Arriva Dark Blue With Transport For Wales Graphics 143602
• 2D-143-005 Class 143 Arriva Trains Wales Turquoise 143609

Class 144 Proposed Liveries

• 2D-144-001 Class 144 West Yorkshire PTE Metro Red/Cream 144011
• 2D-144-002 Class 144 Regional Railways 144013
• 2D-144-003 Class 144 Northern Rail Dark Blue / Purple 144004 

Key features

• A powered and a dummy car in each set 
• All-new detailed bodywork with flush glazing 
• Separate handrails, wipers and exhaust pipes 
• Correct underframes for Class 143 and Class 144 
• Tooling variants for front end and roof differences (original and combined light clusters / with or without radio pod) 
• NEM Pocket 
• Scharfenberg-style end coupling compatible with our Class 142, 153 and 156 units. 
• Finely applied detail and decoration 
• Close coupling with extendable corridor connections 
• Electrical through coupling for improved running
• All wheel drive on the powered car 
• DCC-Ready and DCC-Fitted versions available 
• Light-Bar ready 
• Directional lights on both cars, independently controllable internal (where fitted) and external lighting 

Priced at £170 DCC Ready and £220 DCC Fitted, the new models are available to pre-order now direct from Dapol or at one of its stockists. 

About the prototype

The Class 143 and 144 Pacer DMUs were a series of 2 and 3-car units with Andrew Barclay bodywork on a 4-wheel diesel chassis. Despite their unpopularity with passengers, these distinctive little trains lasted in service until 2021. 

The Class 143s also had the chassis built by Andrew Barclay. 25 units were built, initially working around Tyneside before moving to the South-West and Wales. With the many changes of operators since privatisation, numerous livery choices are possible. 

The Class 144s featured BREL-built underframes and spent their careers based in Leeds, working local and regional services. Ten units received centre cars in 1987. Although intended for local journeys, the 144s worked as far afield as Manchester, Lancaster, Morecambe, Lincoln, Hull, Scarborough and Cleethorpes.

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