• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Merseyrail legacy fleet updates (Class 507/508)

Status
Not open for further replies.

cjbirkett

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2020
Messages
154
Location
lancashire
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if normal practice ensues tomorrow, 508104 should conclude with the 18.53 New Brighton circuit followed by 5B39 19.48 New Brighton - Birkenhead North Depot ECS shortly afterwards.
I'll keep my eye out Tuesday evening before I go into work and if it looks like it's on 5b39 won't bother going into lpool weds after work
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

CallmeDave

Member
Joined
6 Dec 2023
Messages
164
Location
Brighton
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if normal practice ensues tomorrow, 508104 should conclude with the 18.53 New Brighton circuit followed by 5B39 19.48 New Brighton - Birkenhead North Depot ECS shortly afterwards.
Thanks wezz and prod_pep. Just so I know, is it today Tues or tomorrow Weds it's being withdrawn. Many thanks for the gen. Much appreciated
 

prod_pep

Established Member
Joined
8 Aug 2010
Messages
1,711
Location
Liverpool
Thanks wezz and prod_pep. Just so I know, is it today Tues or tomorrow Weds it's being withdrawn. Many thanks for the gen. Much appreciated
It's today CallmeDave. Last working should be the 1853 New Brighton - Liverpool - New Brighton if all goes to plan.
 

507021

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
4,759
Location
Chester
Does anyone know where 507004 is today, please? Would like to catch it on its last day if possible.
 

prod_pep

Established Member
Joined
8 Aug 2010
Messages
1,711
Location
Liverpool
Does anyone know where 507004 is today, please? Would like to catch it on its last day if possible.
It is running now, currently working the 1027 Southport - Hunts Cross, leading 507015. Next working will be 1136 Hunts X - Southport

The diagrams are never a reliable indicator of what actually happens on the Southport line. 507001 was showing as not allocated earlier, but is currently working the 1021 Hunts X - Southport and has been out all morning as far as I know.
 

507021

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
4,759
Location
Chester
Southport, paired up with 507015. Should come out for 1527, subject to swaps of course.

It is running now, currently working the 1027 Southport - Hunts Cross, leading 507015. Next working will be 1136 Hunts X - Southport

The diagrams are never a reliable indicator of what actually happens on the Southport line. 507001 was showing as not allocated earlier, but is currently working the 1021 Hunts X - Southport and has been out all morning as far as I know.

Thanks both, will aim to catch it this afternoon.
 

Wezz

Member
Joined
7 Aug 2019
Messages
174
Location
Liverpool, UK
On the recent 508 farewell tour in October, a senior member of Merseyrail said that the final dates of 507 operation will be the weekend 11/12 May when it is planned to mark the occasion with a suitable farewell trip.
Sunday 12th May is the planned date for the farewell tour, more details will be released in due course.
 

Sam 76

Member
Joined
10 Nov 2021
Messages
499
Location
Southport.
507003 is on the back of the 17:23 Liverpool to Southport. And she is riding like a new train, some job has been done here. So comfortable and the smoothest one I’ve been on in a longtime
 

MR-507508

Member
Joined
17 Jan 2020
Messages
1,022
Location
North West
507004 has ran ECS from Southport to Birkenhead North E.M.U.D this evening, working 5T65. It was running with 'Southport' running as its display on the front at one end, even when passing Birkenhead North Station. Looks as though 507004 has now been stood down.
 

prod_pep

Established Member
Joined
8 Aug 2010
Messages
1,711
Location
Liverpool
The last working of 004 was sudden: the 16.36 Hunts X - Southport. I had it on that journey from Aigburth to Hall Road so that's something. Running brilliantly on its last day too; a great shame this is going.

508104 was in poor fettle really - sluggish and squeaky - but still a poignant final ride and last departure from New Brighton. It goes without saying, the 508s will be sorely missed. No more ticking compressors or disco lights. :'(

Just passing the depot now and 104 is still outside.
 

sansyy

Member
Joined
11 Dec 2023
Messages
232
Location
Chester
Sad to see the 508s gone they served me well for the last year with constant commuting nearly everyday, glad to be on board one of the final runs of this class
 

43096

On Moderation
Joined
23 Nov 2015
Messages
18,882
508104 is officially withdrawn.
You mean it is out of service. It isn’t “officially withdrawn” until the national vehicle register says so and I doubt that is the case yet if it still has to be moved by rail for disposal.
 

Sam 76

Member
Joined
10 Nov 2021
Messages
499
Location
Southport.
The last working of 004 was sudden: the 16.36 Hunts X - Southport. I had it on that journey from Aigburth to Hall Road so that's something. Running brilliantly on its last day too; a great shame this is going.

508104 was in poor fettle really - sluggish and squeaky - but still a poignant final ride and last departure from New Brighton. It goes without saying, the 508s will be sorely missed. No more ticking compressors or disco lights. :'(

Just passing the depot now and 104 is still outside.
What’s mad is no more 777 diagrams immediately start. Another 6 car set gone in essence when rush hour is already short formed.
 

prod_pep

Established Member
Joined
8 Aug 2010
Messages
1,711
Location
Liverpool
What’s mad is no more 777 diagrams immediately start. Another 6 car set gone in essence when rush hour is already short formed.
The next few weeks aren't going to be pretty, I fear. Only three six-car sets on the Southport line this evening (and one of those was on a normally three-car working), and that's with 004 amongst them!

507011 and 507023 both in Southport sidings and not used for peak, so potentially two more out of service to add to 507002, 507017 and 507028 on the sick list. 507029 also went from New Brighton sidings to North depot, then back to New Brighton today, although this unit was on the West Kirby line yesterday morning.

Worth saying that despite 508104's many faults, it has remained fully serviceable throughout and still had several years worth of overhaul mileage left. Personally, I think pulling all the 508s early despite several having only recently had overhauls is a big mistake.
 
Last edited:

507021

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
4,759
Location
Chester
A very poignant occasion as the final Class 508 bowed out for good and a real shame to see a fine unit in 507004 also withdrawn today, excellent to the last. 508104's final duty wasn't particularly busy and I'd say the vast majority aboard were enthusiasts. I also managed a return trip to Chester aboard my namesake unit (thanks to @prod_pep). Nice to see it's still in good fettle after my last ride on it several months ago, giving sterling service and along with its fleetmates, showing the 777s how to get the job done.
 

Sam 76

Member
Joined
10 Nov 2021
Messages
499
Location
Southport.
The next few weeks aren't going to be pretty, I fear. Only three six-car sets on the Southport line this evening (and one of those was on a normally three-car working), and that's with 004 amongst them!

507011 and 507023 both in Southport sidings and not used for peak, so potentially two more out of service to add to 507002, 507017 and 507028 on the sick list. 507029 also went from New Brighton sidings to North depot, then back to New Brighton today, although this unit was on the West Kirby line yesterday morning.

Worth saying that despite 508104's many faults, it has remained fully serviceable throughout and still had several years worth of overhaul mileage left. Personally, I think pulling all the 508s early despite several having only recently had overhauls is a big mistake.
You’ve hit the nail on the head. The fact that mileage has not been an issue in a while is concerning. It’s purely down to the leases, and the 777 rollout scale has clearly been too tight. I worry too, that’s a long list of un serviceable units. Worth noting at the back end of last week, 507001 had at least 2 wheel flats so that will have to be sorted as well.

Edit: and just like that the carnage begins. The 7:43 from Southport formed of 3 coaches. Reports of all seats being full leaving Birkdale
 
Last edited:

507001

Member
Joined
3 Dec 2023
Messages
51
Location
Southport
507021 on 0845 from Chester 507029 on 0919 Ellesmere P

507003+016 Hunts X 0836 finish Southport? 507013+033 0806 Hunts X stay out to 1306? 014+015 0906 from HX 020 0812 031 0827 001 0842 032 0857 030 0912 from Southport
 

karlbbb

Member
Joined
26 Jul 2009
Messages
460
The next few weeks aren't going to be pretty, I fear.
I would suspect this will lengthen to "months". Even if 777 rollout continues, required platform works at Southport (and possibly others on this line) mean the 777s can't be doubled-up, and that's before we even consider the fact that the 777s still can't actually run doubled-up. The last couple of times the doubling-up happened as a "rescue" I believe one unit was shut down to avoid issues.
 

prod_pep

Established Member
Joined
8 Aug 2010
Messages
1,711
Location
Liverpool
A very poignant occasion as the final Class 508 bowed out for good and a real shame to see a fine unit in 507004 also withdrawn today, excellent to the last. 508104's final duty wasn't particularly busy and I'd say the vast majority aboard were enthusiasts. I also managed a return trip to Chester aboard my namesake unit (thanks to @prod_pep).
Fully agreed and I'm glad you found 021.

It was a similar turn out to the last 314 actually: a fair smattering of enthusiasts but clearly quieter than the last 313 or 315. I suppose many enthusiasts see the 507/8s as effectively one combined class. Needless to say, most people including the 'normals' avoided 104's middle coach which was colder than a witch's bosom!

The last 507 will probably be a busy occasion. Let's hope 001 is involved.
 

Bikeman78

Established Member
Joined
26 Apr 2018
Messages
6,196
What’s mad is no more 777 diagrams immediately start. Another 6 car set gone in essence when rush hour is already short formed.
Have any more 777 entered service in the past few days? Seems mad to send units for scrap when they are covering 777 diagrams. How are the scrap units selected? Is 507004 due an exam?
 
Joined
1 Dec 2022
Messages
192
Location
Lancashire
So what are the final remaining 507s now then please?

I've got it down as 001-004, 007, 010-011, 013-018, 020-021, 023, 028-033*. So that leaves 22 in service at the moment, (or 21 if 004 has been withdrawn as rumoured and is the unit going to scrap with 104).

*Assuming that I haven't missed a scrap move and my spreadsheet is still up to date.
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
5,247
I understand if units are reaching exam time but it still amazes me to see them withdrawing operational units whilst their service levels go down the pan thanks to the new units
 

Bikeman78

Established Member
Joined
26 Apr 2018
Messages
6,196
507021 on 0845 from Chester 507029 on 0919 Ellesmere P

507003+016 Hunts X 0836 finish Southport? 507013+033 0806 Hunts X stay out to 1306? 014+015 0906 from HX 020 0812 031 0827 001 0842 032 0857 030 0912 from Southport
507021 still out as above, 507029 taken off diagram and replaced with a 777. 507003+16 still out so there are three pairs running off peak.

777005 has failed at Rock Ferry on 2C24. Being shunted in to a bay platform. One to watch.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top