LONDON, July 11 (Xinhua) -- They earned a reputation as the most hated trains on Britain's rail network, but the old bus-like Pacer trains are not being shunted off to the scrap yard.

Instead the Department of Transport launched a competition Thursday for ideas to transform the Pacer trains as community facilities once they retire from the network.

The government wants to see Pacer trains renovated for benefit of communities, as they are removed from the network and replaced by new, modern trains.

Rail Minister Andrew Jones launched the competition with school children in Greater Manchester, listening to ideas on how Pacer carriages could take on a new role.

Kids from St. Catherine's Primary School in Bolton were among the first to pitch their ideas to Jones, as they drew up their own ideas.

Freya, aged 9, showed the minister her idea for the a "time traveller train", a museum and classroom where people could learn about the history of her town. Millie, 9, suggested using an old carriage for a kitchen and pizza stand, while Lauren, 9, wanted to convert a Pacer into a greenhouse to grow vegetables.

After more than 30 years of passenger service, Pacers are being retired from the rail network. New and entirely refurbished trains are now running right across the network in northern England, serving cities such as Manchester and Liverpool and the scenic Lake District.

The trains were introduced to provide a quick solution to a train shortage, and were based on buses built in northern England.

But passengers fell out of love with the often cramped and uncomfortable Pacers, especially commuters heading to and from work.

Pop music legend and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman will chair a panel of judges to decide where the old trains will go on their final journeys.

"This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for community groups to actively engage with the rail network to make a difference to their local areas," said Waterman.

Minister Jones said: "The energy and ideas shown by the children today has been really creative and fun, providing some brilliant examples of how the Pacers could play a new, exciting role in our communities. The Pacer trains have been carrying passengers for over thirty years, but they have outstayed their welcome and are being replaced by modern trains and extra services, creating space for thousands more passengers."

More than 100 new trains are being rolled out in the north this year, together with new trains on the TransPennine Express network which also operates in northern England.