Merseyrail legacy fleet updates (Class 507/508)

[Wezz]

We weren't sure if the unit would suit it due to the facelift Electrostar light clusters, but she suits it well.

Expected to be back in traffic within the next few weeks.

 

[Skie]

We weren't sure if the unit would suit it due to the facelift Electrostar light clusters, but she suits it well.

Expected to be back in traffic within the next few weeks.

Are they adding 3+2 seating back in or something?

 

[Penmorfa]

Great outside paint job, just hoping the interior is the Eastleigh refurb though

 

[lrailadventure]

Merseyrail have released a promo video on their Instagram today. Doesn't actually show off the blue livery, but shows them peeling the old vinyl off.

 

[prod_pep]

All this secrecy over a simple re-vinyl job.

Edit: caught another quick glimpse of 507001 inside Birkenhead North depot this evening. It was near the front of its lane in the main shed.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Merseyrail have released a promo video on their Instagram today. Doesn't actually show off the blue livery, but shows them peeling the old vinyl off.

If anyone wants to watch it here's a link.

merseyrail on Instagram: "We’ve got a celebration coming... get ready for something special!"

487 likes, 20 comments - merseyrail on November 30, 2023: "We’ve got a celebration coming... get ready for something special!"

www.instagram.com

 

[Pacef8]

How long until they realise it is a public relations disaster . The headbolt rail users will not be impressed.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

How long until they realise it is a public relations disaster . The headbolt rail users will not be impressed.

Well, it is a case of advertising new trains only for a train to come along which, to many customers who won’t initially realise it’s the same type that they’re used to, looks even older than the outgoing stock!

Besides, it’s already been done with the 313s, which are basically the same train.

 

[Gaz67]

Well they will probably think here's one of those trains that have served us for over 40 years , isn't it great that they have painted one in its original colours, bet the new trains won't be running round in 40 years. Or something like that. This goes on the world over with trains and planes (BA 747s). I for one love it, thanks merseyrail, can't wait to go out hunting it with my camera.

 

[shredder1]

When is it due out??

 

[lrailadventure]

When is it due out??

It's been seen out on the West Kirby Line services today

 

[Liverpool 507]

When is it due out??

It's been seen out on the West Kirby Line services today

Allocated to 5W04/2W04 and subsequent diagrams.

 

[karlbbb]

Hoping it’ll be on some Southport-Hunt’s Cross services before it bows out. Would like to see this one in the flesh!

 

[Ribbleman]

Well, it is a case of advertising new trains only for a train to come along which, to many customers who won’t initially realise it’s the same type that they’re used to, looks even older than the outgoing stock!

Besides, it’s already been done with the 313s, which are basically the same train.

Most local travellers will recall the 507s and 508s in blue and grey. They were the last fleets in the country to carry those colours. It’s a nice gesture to see the end of this stock commemorated, for Merseyrail staff as well as it’s passengers. The fact that a 313 was similarly reliveried will mean nothing to them.

 

[Russell Young]

Allocated to 5W04/2W04 and subsequent diagrams.

If you have any gen tomorrow morning 2/12 (assuming it's allocated for service), could you post the initial working if known for 001. Thank you.

 

[Sam 76]

Hoping it’ll be on some Southport-Hunt’s Cross services before it bows out. Would like to see this one in the flesh!

Almost guaranteed to be has a fair few months yet

 

[Liverpool 507]

If you have any gen tomorrow morning 2/12 (assuming it's allocated for service), could you post the initial working if known for 001. Thank you.

No worries. It looks like, all going according to plan, that the unit will stable at West Kirby tonight and then form 2W00 in the morning.

 

[Bringback309s]

Merseyrail's special heritage livery is unveiled Merseyrail has worked with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler to... | By MerseyrailFacebook

Merseyrail's special heritage livery is unveiled Merseyrail has worked with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler to...

www.facebook.com

 

[WesternLancer]

Merseyrail's special heritage livery is unveiled Merseyrail has worked with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler to... | By MerseyrailFacebook

Merseyrail's special heritage livery is unveiled Merseyrail has worked with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler to...

www.facebook.com

Nice to see that - pleasing that they have commemorated these units, as I think happened with the previous generation of EMUs on Merseyside. Nicely done in my view.

 

[The_Train]

Well, it is a case of advertising new trains only for a train to come along which, to many customers who won’t initially realise it’s the same type that they’re used to, looks even older than the outgoing stock!

Besides, it’s already been done with the 313s, which are basically the same train.

I presume they'd be happy to realise that it is one of the older trains as it's more likely to get them to their destination

In all seriousness, this is a crazy take. If you think customers who use a network that is segregated from all other networks so doesn't have any other train types (apart from the odd freight and RHTT) working on it will be confused as to what sort of train they are getting on because it's had a lick of paint, you're doing a serious disservice to scousers. Just feels like you've plucked any insane reasoning out of the air to allow you to have a pop at something that lots of people will get enjoyment from.

 

[birchesgreen]

Well, it is a case of advertising new trains only for a train to come along which, to many customers who won’t initially realise it’s the same type that they’re used to, looks even older than the outgoing stock!

Besides, it’s already been done with the 313s, which are basically the same train.

Is this a wind-up? Has this ever caused a problem anywhere before.

 

[Bikeman78]

I presume they'd be happy to realise that it is one of the older trains as it's more likely to get them to their destination

In all seriousness, this is a crazy take. If you think customers who use a network that is segregated from all other networks so doesn't have any other train types (apart from the odd freight and RHTT) working on it will be confused as to what sort of train they are getting on because it's had a lick of paint, you're doing a serious disservice to scousers. Just feels like you've plucked any insane reasoning out of the air to allow you to have a pop at something that lots of people will get enjoyment from.

Joe public will get on anything if they think it's heading in the right direction. An example I've mentioned before is the EPB farewell tour. When it was at Redhill, countless people asked if it was the Victoria train, despite EPB units not having worked a passenger train through Redhill for about three years and both of them being in retro liveries. Numerous passengers did in fact travel on it from London Bridge to Charing Cross. It stopped at platform 6 so they got on.

 

[507021]

I presume they'd be happy to realise that it is one of the older trains as it's more likely to get them to their destination

In all seriousness, this is a crazy take. If you think customers who use a network that is segregated from all other networks so doesn't have any other train types (apart from the odd freight and RHTT) working on it will be confused as to what sort of train they are getting on because it's had a lick of paint, you're doing a serious disservice to scousers. Just feels like you've plucked any insane reasoning out of the air to allow you to have a pop at something that lots of people will get enjoyment from.

Spot on, couldn't have put it any better myself. The 507s have given faithful and dependable service to the region for over 45 years, so I think they've more than earned a gesture to recognise this as their time draws to a close. A lot of people seem to underestimate just how fondly thought of the 507s and 508s are around here, by enthusiasts and the general public.

 

[shredder1]

Allocated to 5W04/2W04 and subsequent diagrams.

Wow, nice, thank you.

 

[The_Train]

Joe public will get on anything if they think it's heading in the right direction. An example I've mentioned before is the EPB farewell tour. When it was at Redhill, countless people asked if it was the Victoria train, despite EPB units not having worked a passenger train through Redhill for about three years and both of them being in retro liveries. Numerous passengers did in fact travel on it from London Bridge to Charing Cross. It stopped at platform 6 so they got on.

Whilst I agree on this for the main network (I've witnessed many a regular pax boarding charter trains on stock they've probably never seen before, let alone travelled on), we are talking a segregated network with Merseyrail where some people have seen the same type of train in the region all of their lives. I doubt a new livery is going to make people think this unit is part of the new fleet as has been suggested on here

 

[childwallblues]

Spot on, couldn't have put it any better myself. The 507s have given faithful and dependable service to the region for over 45 years, so I think they've more than earned a gesture to recognise this as their time draws to a close. A lot of people seem to underestimate just how fondly thought of the 507s and 508s are around here, by enthusiasts and the general public.

And I totally agree with you As one who has ridden every 507 and 508 that ever existed and many of them many times over I have been chasing 508s to ride for the last time. When I boarded 508103 at Moorfields on Tuesday I thought that might be it but no 508108 turned up at Sandhills to take me to Hunts Cross. I shall be out again next Tuesday and hopefully come across the odd one or two.

 

[prod_pep]

507001 definitely looks better in the flesh than in the photos. Rail blue is a striking colour and it looks a country mile better than the other units. A super effort, but still a slight shame it isn't 'bob on' like the 313.

They also seem to have fixed 001's rheostatic braking which wasn't functional for a couple of weeks prior to the re-livery. It sounded fine when powering down.

 

[Gaz67]

When is the Regional Railways one due out, would be fun wouldn't it.

 

[prod_pep]

When is the Regional Railways one due out, would be fun wouldn't it.

Yes please! Would love to see that livery recreated.

 

[Penmorfa]

Spot on, couldn't have put it any better myself. The 507s have given faithful and dependable service to the region for over 45 years, so I think they've more than earned a gesture to recognise this as their time draws to a close. A lot of people seem to underestimate just how fondly thought of the 507s and 508s are around here, by enthusiasts and the general public.

An uptick for that