They may have become an increasingly unwelcome sight at stations across the Bradford district in recent years – but a Pacer train is set to go on display in a well-known museum.

The National Railway Museum (NRM) said the 1980s-era train will “spark debate” when it goes on display at its site in Shildon, County Durham.

The Pacer has arrived at the museum amid calls for the upcoming fares rise across the railway network to be scrapped on routes where they are still used, including in Bradford.

Political leaders in the North say the continued use of outdated Pacers - known for being slow, bouncy and noisy - shows a wide disparity in transport investment between the region and the South East.

The addition of a Pacer to the NRM’s collection comes weeks after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis and Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake wrote to Northern - one of three operators still using the trains - calling for fare reductions on routes where they remain in operation.

Rail fares will increase by an average of 2.7% across Britain from tomorrow.

The NRM’s Pacer was retired by Northern and donated by leasing company Angel Trains earlier this month.

The long-term aim is to keep the train in working order so it can operate passenger rides on the museum’s rail line.

NRM senior curator Anthony Coulls denied it will look out of place alongside more esteemed exhibits such as steam locomotives and record-breaking trains.

“It will fit very well because the National Railway Museum isn’t just about the fastest, the oldest, the most iconic,” he said. “It’s about the everyday history of the railways.

“In terms of moving millions of people millions of miles over 30 years, the Pacer has earned its place in history.”

Mr Coulls described travelling on the trains as a “lively experience” because they “bounce along” the tracks.

Pacers, described by some passengers as “cattle trucks”, were built using bus parts more than 30 years ago and were intended to be a cheap stop-gap solution to a lack of rolling stock.

David Brown, Northern’s managing director, said: “Pacers have served the North well, but we know they are old and outdated and not popular with our customers.

“Those same customers can now clearly see Pacers are making way for modern state-of-the-art trains which will give them better journeys.

“Fifty-two of our 102 Pacers have now been permanently retired and the remainder will all be gone next year.”