Merseyrail legacy fleet updates (Class 507/508)

[jonf45]

Sandhills gets all of the northern line and is an island platform so no need to move about.

Hamilton Square for the Wirral Lines - once they've been around the loop you can stay on the one incoming platform and get them that way.

Sandhills for Northern

Then you also want to travel past Birkenhead North depot (anything to West Kirby or New Brighton) and Kirkdale depot (anything to Ormskirk or Kirby)

Also:

Consider catching a xx15 train off Hamilton Square to West Kirby as far as Bidston - you'll get a chance to see what's working on the Wrexham service that hour

The ends of some lines have stabling - New Brighton, West Kirby and Southport I think. Traksy may show what's occupied.

And look out for any 5XXX headcodes appearing on Traksy going through, these are often doubled up sets going to depot/washing

Fantastic, thanks very much

 

[childwallblues]

We were out and about yesterday in Merseyside- without trying too hard we saw about 2/3rds of the fleet (about 20 of each class + 10 x 777s). Except for a few parked up, the vast majority were working - so you shouldn't have too many problems getting a few shots.

Also about 10 units in the sidings at Southport off peak Monday to Friday. On Tuesday 777003/049/142/144/146 were there.

 

[SeaKing]

Also about 10 units in the sidings at Southport off peak Monday to Friday. On Tuesday 777003/049/142/144/146 were there.

Is it easy to get the units in the sidings.

 

[8A Rail]

Fantastic, thanks very much

The locations quoted to you , re Sandhills and Hamilton Square are fine for 'spotting' but for any decent photo images, you need to be at other stations I'm afraid.

Kirkdale Station for lines to Ormskirk and Kirkby. Bootle Oriel Road (& numerous other stations) for the Southport line. Rock Ferry (& other stations on the line) for Chester and Ellesmere Port. Birkenhead North for lines to West Kirby and New Brighton.

As a guide, see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8arail/albums/72157648836651974

 

[DJH1971]

On the Mersey Railways 2.0 FB page, I has been stated that (provisionally at this stage) the next units to go are 507012 and 508115 on 19th June.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

On the Mersey Railways 2.0 FB page, I has been stated that (provisionally at this stage) the next units to go are 507012 and 508115 on 19th June.

So much for “just 508s for now” then as stated about five 507 scrappings ago

 

[Wezz]

On the Mersey Railways 2.0 FB page, I has been stated that (provisionally at this stage) the next units to go are 507012 and 508115 on 19th June.

The units are yet to be fully confirmed, but 012 and 115 are potentially the units that will be leaving us.

 

[MattRat]

So much for “just 508s for now” then as stated about five 507 scrappings ago

I think it was assuming the left hand was talking to the right hand, so to speak. I think Merseyrail are in for a shock when they realize they don't have enough operational units left to run the current service.....

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think it was assuming the left hand was talking to the right hand, so to speak. I think Merseyrail are in for a shock when they realize they don't have enough operational units left to run the current service.....

I don't know, it's hardly the same as when South Western Railway were off-loading tonnes of stock with no sight of the 701s starting, the 777s will bed in and there are a good number of them in service currently.

 

[Sam 76]

I don't know, it's hardly the same as when South Western Railway were off-loading tonnes of stock with no sight of the 701s starting, the 777s will bed in and there are a good number of them in service currently.

My suspicion is that soon the 777s will take over Ormskirk and take the Kirkby services in full. Then minus the 6 car services that will help the fleet management at least in the short term as a result of the 507/508 units becoming free.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

My suspicion is that soon the 777s will take over Ormskirk and take the Kirkby they have lost at the moment entirely minus the 6 car services and that will help the fleet management at least in the short term

Well, here's hoping. If the Merseyrail senior as featured in Saint Geoff Marshall's 777 video is to be taken at his word, it shouldn't be too long before the Wirral line begins the transfer, and we're looking at December this year, or somewhat frustratingly, early 2024 for the Southport Hunts Cross services.

 

[childwallblues]

Well, here's hoping. If the Merseyrail senior as featured in Saint Geoff Marshall's 777 video is to be taken at his word, it shouldn't be too long before the Wirral line begins the transfer, and we're looking at December this year, or somewhat frustratingly, early 2024 for the Southport Hunts Cross services.

That video is quite old now. Things have changed since then.

 

[karlbbb]

My suspicion is that soon the 777s will take over Ormskirk and take the Kirkby they have lost at the moment entirely minus the 6 car services and that will help the fleet management at least in the short term

As long as we get 8-car working, they can take over Ormskirk. Otherwise we'll still need some 507/508s for the peak services.

 

[prod_pep]

As long as we get 8-car working, they can take over Ormskirk. Otherwise we'll still need some 507/508s for the peak services.

The thing is, they have scandalously withdrawn all 6 car workings on the Ormskirk line now. For the PM services in recent days, the 1716 from Liverpool Central is a 3 car 507/8 and the two after a 4 car 777.

It is now 24 carriages per peak hour (4,608 seats) lost across the network during the 777 introduction.

The Southport - Hunts Cross line is now the only route with paired workings, and even this has multiple 3 car services which regularly leave with passengers unable to board. The network is disastrously poor at present.

 

[karlbbb]

The thing is, they have scandalously withdrawn all 6 car workings on the Ormskirk line now. For the PM services in recent days, the 1716 from Liverpool Central is a 3 car 507/8 and the two after a 4 car 777.

It is now 24 carriages per peak hour (4,608 seats) lost across the network during the 777 introduction.

The Southport - Hunts Cross line is now the only route with paired workings, and even this has multiple 3 car services which regularly leave with passengers unable to board. The network is disastrously poor at present.

I didn't realise it was that bad - I had noticed that 5G56 hadn't been running, which I watch out for to choose between the 1601/1616 from Central.

There's been some 8-car test runs but I'm not privvy to, nor have any contacts in Merseyrail with, info about how well that's gone. Massive shame that they've dropped 6-car running; I do enjoy a good clunky run home with a bit of space!

 

[Sam 76]

The thing is, they have scandalously withdrawn all 6 car workings on the Ormskirk line now. For the PM services in recent days, the 1716 from Liverpool Central is a 3 car 507/8 and the two after a 4 car 777.

It is now 24 carriages per peak hour (4,608 seats) lost across the network during the 777 introduction.

The Southport - Hunts Cross line is now the only route with paired workings, and even this has multiple 3 car services which regularly leave with passengers unable to board. The network is disastrously poor at present.

Is that not because of a shortage of units though? Given they are not running as many 777s as planned. I only say this as yesterday the first Southport 6 car train was 17:08 off central and it’s normally earlier than that

 

[prod_pep]

Is that not because of a shortage of units though? Given they are not running as many 777s as planned. I only say this as yesterday the first Southport 6 car train was 17:08 off central and it’s normally earlier than that

No, that's not the reason. They have switched the 777 diagrams (currently only two most days) on the Ormskirk line to cover two of the three 6 car PM workings.

The first 6 car on the Southport line is the 1708 from Central and has been since the 1638 was cut down to a 3 car some weeks ago now.

I make it 38 diagrams for the 507/8s at present with 1 covering a 777 on both Ormskirk and Kirkby lines.

 

[Vinnym]

Noticed that 6 car working has been curtailed, the 1845, 1900 and 1915 ex Central to Ormskirk were mostly 6 car but this week they have been 3 car 507/508 or 4 car 777. Having said that they were very lightly loaded, but I am sure they are pretty packed around the peak.

 

[prod_pep]

Could anyone kindly advise what 508115's last passenger working was and when, please?

I'm trying to keep a record of the last working of each set. I have all so far but this one has already finished. I think its last working was late April or possibly early May.

 

[jonf45]

Thank you to everyone that gave advice on the 507/8s. Managed to get over on Tuesday, got a MerseyRail rover ticket and managed to do half the lines, stopping at various stations for photos etc. Must say, i was very impressed with the ticket (£5.95 was an actual bargain) and the frequency of services. Will need to go back to do the Northern Lines, but did manage to get to Sandhills for a while before heading back!
Am working my way through the photos which i will put in the photo section, but if anyones interested the video is here:

Thanks again
Jon

 

[MR-507508]

Is it this Sunday coming, 18th June, 507012 and 508115 are going for scrap?
Any idea on the final day for passenger working for 507012 - I guess today or tomorrow?
It looks as though 508115 has already finished sometime ago.

 

[prod_pep]

507001 and 507002 were working together on my train home today, the 1651 Hunts Cross - Southport. It's the first time in a while I've seen the 'Royal Special' units together; always a pleasure.

 

[315801]

If anything, I think I have mentioned this before but I think those 2 should be saved, not just for the reason of them carry our Queen ( rest her soul ) but because 507001 obviously 1st of the 507 class and 002 because of its unique livery.

I mean yes we have 508111 with the beatles on it but as far as I know, no other units are white which makes it stand out

 

[prod_pep]

507012 is still running, forming the 0919 Ormskirk - Liverpool Central this morning. If the scrap move is still planned for Sunday, I suspect this is its last day in service.

Hear, hear as regards saving both 507001 and 507002, but sadly I very much doubt it will happen. As mentioned before, there is talk of preserving a 507 which I hope will be 001.

 

[DJH1971]

Any more news on 507012 and 508115 service status wise?

 

[Sam 76]

Any more news on 507012 and 508115 service status wise?

508115 is on Kirkdale as was awaiting repairs but now to be scrapped. And 012 was at Birkenhead depot yesterday so presumably now stood down

 

[Wezz]

Any more news on 507012 and 508115 service status wise?

Both units have been stood down.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Both units have been stood down.

When to be dragged away?

 

[DJH1971]

When to be dragged away?

Sunday

 

[The_Train]

Both units have been stood down.

They currently at Birkenhead?