Merseyrail legacy fleet updates (Class 507/508)

[MR-507508]

Has anyone managed to purchase a copy of the book recently released 'Merseyrail Electric: The Award-Winning Network'?

I pre-ordered a copy on amazon a few weeks back however have not received it or no update on the order.

Just wondering if others are experiencing the same issues, I called past Waterstones who told me the book is showing as unavailable across all their stores - not sure whether there is an issue with then publisher?

 

[Ianigsy]

508104 on West Kirby diagrams today - just left Bidston on the 1155.

 

[Vespa]

I have to say 507001 looks really good even in a revised livery to accommodate disability rules, which would have come about anyway had BR livery been retained.

It actually looks good in it's modified form.

 

[peter166]

Has anyone managed to purchase a copy of the book recently released 'Merseyrail Electric: The Award-Winning Network'?

I pre-ordered a copy on amazon a few weeks back however have not received it or no update on the order.

Just wondering if others are experiencing the same issues, I called past Waterstones who told me the book is showing as unavailable across all their stores - not sure whether there is an issue with then publisher?

Books etc appear to have it on their website at a much reduced price of £11.63 post free

Merseyrail Electric

The 75-mile, self-contained Merseyrail Electric network provides safe and efficient transportation for the Liverpool City region, the Wirral, and parts of Cheshire and West Lancashire. 'Merseyrail Electric: The Award-Winning Network' looks at how this iconic railway network has developed, its...

www.booksetc.co.uk

Very reliable & good value bookseller. Often much cheaper than Amazon.

 

[Alanko]

Many photos of 507001 on social media today. Lots of people claiming it needs preserved, as soon as possible!

You could stick a heritage livery on the most decrepit train or loco from a given class and people will state that it needs to be sent to York for instant preservation in the museum there.

 

[prod_pep]

Many photos of 507001 on social media today. Lots of people claiming it needs preserved, as soon as possible!

You could stick a heritage livery on the most decrepit train or loco from a given class and people will state that it needs to be sent to York for instant preservation in the museum there.

In this particular instance 507001 is a very good unit and also the third from last overhauled, so an excellent preservation candidate quite apart from its history. The Southern 313 fleet definitely illustrates your point however, as blue 313201 was amongst the least reliable in the fleet.

Naturally, there have already been a few 'they've done this so the preservation group won't have to bother' comments. As I've said, the wrap has no impact on its preservation plan.

 

[Liverpool 507]

507001 is on 5C06 07:05 Birkenhead North E.M.U.D - Hooton with 507018. Both units split at Hooton and 507001 will continue as 5Y06 07:54 Hooton - Ellesmere Port. It ends service tonight at Kirkdale.

 

[L401CJF]

507001 is on 5C06 07:05 Birkenhead North E.M.U.D - Hooton with 507018. Both units split at Hooton and 507001 will continue as 5Y06 07:54 Hooton - Ellesmere Port. It ends service tonight at Kirkdale.

Many thanks for the info. Managed to grab some pics of it at Ellesmere Port this afternoon. Does look very nice indeed!

 

[Misery guts]

Sorry if this has question has already been asked and answered.
How many 507/508 diagrams run Monday-Friday please? Just wondering if it’s worth a trip to Merseyrail for a final bash. Thanks in advance.

 

[jamesst]

Sorry if this has question has already been asked and answered.
How many 507/508 diagrams run Monday-Friday please? Just wondering if it’s worth a trip to Merseyrail for a final bash. Thanks in advance.

10 on Southports, 3 on Brightons in the morning with 4 in the afternoon, 4 on West Kirbys.

 

[Misery guts]

10 on Southports, 3 on Brightons in the morning with 4 in the afternoon, 4 on West Kirbys.

Thanks for the info

 

[prod_pep]

There are currently 22 weekday 507/8 diagrams in total: 15 Southport line diagrams (10 off-peak with 5 extras to make six-cars), 3 New Brighton line and 4 West Kirby line.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

There are currently 22 weekday 507/8 diagrams in total: 15 Southport line diagrams (10 off-peak with 5 extras to make six-cars), 3 New Brighton line and 4 West Kirby line.

Do we know when it goes to just Southports?

 

[L401CJF]

There are currently 22 weekday 507/8 diagrams in total: 15 Southport line diagrams (10 off-peak with 5 extras to make six-cars), 3 New Brighton line and 4 West Kirby line.

Plus the various 777 diagrams they've been standing in on

 

[Wezz]

There is a preservation effort ongoing through https://www.class507.org.uk/

There are no plans for any other retro livery on the 507/508's, only 001.

 

[kemal]

Just out of curiosity, how many diagrams are there on Saturdays please?

 

[childwallblues]

507001 was on the West Kirby line today.
Still a few 508s around on the Wirral today. 508136 and 508104 were on West Kirby services and 508120 was on the New Brighton line.
508131 was in the sidings at New Brighton.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Apologies if its already been mentioned but what lines are the 507/508 still mostly running on or is it a random chance of getting one?

 

[jamesst]

Apologies if its already been mentioned but what lines are the 507/508 still mostly running on or is it a random chance of getting one?

Sourhports, West Kirby, New Brightons

 

[ScotRail158725]

Sourhports, West Kirby, New Brightons

None on Kirkby or Ormskirk services then? Cheers

 

[L401CJF]

None on Kirkby or Ormskirk services then? Cheers

Very rarely these days, its been a while since one has worked those lines i think. Its still fairly common to find the odd 507/8 substituting for a 777 on the Chester/Ellesmere Port lines too.

 

[prod_pep]

There is still the odd 507/8 on the Ormskirk line on weekend EFC home matchdays.

None to Kirkby since 508141 on 3rd November to my knowledge. Very unlikely to happen again unless the 777/1s go into total meltdown again and a spare 507/8 is at Kirkdale.

Saw 508103 and 508120 shunting into Birkenhead North about an hour ago and this could well be the end for those two. Looks like 508136 may have escaped for now, which is good as it is far better than either of those.

 

[cjbirkett]

There is still the odd 507/8 on the Ormskirk line on weekend EFC home matchdays.

None to Kirkby since 508141 on 3rd November to my knowledge. Very unlikely to happen again unless the 777/1s go into total meltdown again and a spare 507/8 is at Kirkdale.

Saw 508103 and 508120 shunting into Birkenhead North about an hour ago and this could well be the end for those two. Looks like 508136 may have escaped for now, which is good as it is far better than either of those.

I saw 103 and 120 at Liv Central this morning on an ECS to Birkenhead Nirth so I too thought they had finished - however 120 then passed me at Birkenhead Park at around 12.20 on a New Brighton diagram so it's still going obviously.

Didn't see 103 at North but 507 003 is outside the depot now

131 was on West Kirbys too, 136 on New Brightons

 

[CallmeDave]

136 worked 1106 NBN NBN and was replaced by 120 for 1206 departure. A member of crew said 136 was going for scrap. It departed ECS before the 1206 departed.

 

[L401CJF]

136 worked 1106 NBN NBN and was replaced by 120 for 1206 departure. A member of crew said 136 was going for scrap. It departed ECS before the 1206 departed.

According to a list which was posted a while ago, 103 and 136 are the next 2 to go- unless things have changed since.

 

[prod_pep]

Ah, what a shame. 508136 is a decent set - rides well, lovely and warm, working rheo braking. 120, by contrast, was freezing cold and squeaky last time I was on it. Ah well, I suppose they'll all be gone before long.

507021 has returned to service after a spell laid up at Southport. 507020 remains in the sidings there having been out of use for around a month.

 

[CallmeDave]

Ah, what a shame. 508136 is a decent set - rides well, lovely and warm, working rheo braking. 120, by contrast, was freezing cold and squeaky last time I was on it. Ah well, I suppose they'll all be gone before long.

507021 has returned to service after a spell laid up at Southport. 507020 remains in the sidings there having been out of use for around a month.

Agree about 136 was like being at the fire side this morning. Nice and snug 103 is on Birkenhead I have been advised.

 

[cjbirkett]

136 a fave here too, especially with the wacky fan noise, glad I got a ride this morning then if that's the case.

011 was also having heating problems too on southports, only the middle coach was warm!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Will these be booked for Southports only come the timetable change?

 

[prod_pep]

Will these be booked for Southports only come the timetable change?

No, they are set to continue on the New Brighton and West Kirby lines well into 2024 from what I've heard.

508136's fans did indeed sound great. Between that and 508114 for best remaining 508 for me; both decent sets. Still plenty of very good 507s left.