Merseyrail legacy fleet updates (Class 507/508)

[prod_pep]

Scrap drag leaving imminently according to a Merseyrail Twitter post. 'A driver has just shown up now' so it doesn't sound like loco failure.

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[karlbbb]

Scrap drag leaving imminently according to a Merseyrail Twitter post. 'A driver has just shown up now' so it doesn't sound like loco failure.

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Currently signalled out of the depot towards Bidston so it's on its way by the look of it. I think I saw the loco arrived 3/4 hours late so perhaps driver over hours and had to wait for a new one?

 

[prod_pep]

Finally through Bidston 194 late. That delay certainly thinned out the assembled crowd at Bidston!

 

[zain_031]

Looks like 023 will soon meet its fate, with 5T81 from New Brighton to North Depot now showing on RTT, most likely to be 023.

Edit: Can comfirm that 5T81 is 023, with it showing up with the headocde on traksy.

 

[DJH1971]

Heading towards 3 hours late for the scrap move. I heard a rumour that the loco has broken down.

Wonder if they need to find another tractor?

 

[zain_031]

Wonder if they need to find another tractor?

It is on the move now, but several hours late

 

[prod_pep]

There is now a 5T82 11.42 Southport - Kirkdale C.S. in the system too, presumably the start of 507003 and 029's final run.

Edit: Actually, this appears to be a 777 split from the 10.47 Liverpool Central - Southport, or at least Traksy and OTT suggest so.

 

[karlbbb]

There is now a 5T82 11.42 Southport - Kirkdale C.S. in the system too, presumably the start of 507003 and 029's final run.

Edit: Actually, this appears to be a 777 split from the 10.47 Liverpool Central - Southport, or at least Traksy and OTT suggest so.

One has to assume the units would be shifted from Southport directly to Birkenhead? So a path that goes to Central and reverses would likely be "the one"?

 

[prod_pep]

One has to assume the units would be shifted from Southport directly to Birkenhead? So a path that goes to Central and reverses would likely be "the one"?

Not necessarily. The 507 transfers often go via Kirkdale to allow driver swaps, e.g. if the Wirral driver won't arrive in time to meet it at Sandhills.

 

[43096]

Not even one last service as a 6 car on Southports with 003 and 029? If this is the main plan then that is utter crap. No notice of when the last train will run, something which was done for 508104s last run. Real shame.

I’m not sure what you are expecting them to do given the sets appear to be demic. Spend money to repair them just so you can have a final trip?

 

[zain_031]

One has to assume the units would be shifted from Southport directly to Birkenhead? So a path that goes to Central and reverses would likely be "the one"?

Moves from Southport - Birkenhead are often split into 2, either Southport-Sandhills then Sandhills-Birkenhead or Southport-Kirkdale then Kirkdale-Birkenhead. I believe a dircet run is still possible though

 

[cspotting_]

Im guessing if there is a particular unit in question having trouble taking power, It would be 003. 029’s power taking and acceleration is outstanding, The same could not be said for 003

I genuinely did not think this is how the 507 replacement process would go, And especially with 4 units left. There is nothing available anymore, 001 As I say will not enter service, 003 has failed, 023 has failed, 029 has failed. With the other two units of course being scrapped as I type this message. Merseyrail have dug themselves into a deep hole and haven’t realised just how deep into that hole they have dug. Now the damage is irreversible

 

[43096]

Merseyrail have dug themselves into a deep hole and haven’t realised just how deep into that hole they have dug. Now the damage is irreversible

Has the world stopped turning on Merseyside today without them, then?

 

[DJH1971]

Im guessing if there is a particular unit in question having trouble taking power, It would be 003. 029’s power taking and acceleration is outstanding, The same could not be said for 003

I genuinely did not think this is how the 507 replacement process would go, And especially with 4 units left. There is nothing available anymore, 001 As I say will not enter service, 003 has failed, 023 has failed, 029 has failed. With the other two units of course being scrapped as I type this message. Merseyrail have dug themselves into a deep hole and haven’t realised just how deep into that hole they have dug. Now the damage is irreversible

They are going to need a standby rail replacement bus service.

 

[Sam 76]

Im guessing if there is a particular unit in question having trouble taking power, It would be 003. 029’s power taking and acceleration is outstanding, The same could not be said for 003

I genuinely did not think this is how the 507 replacement process would go, And especially with 4 units left. There is nothing available anymore, 001 As I say will not enter service, 003 has failed, 023 has failed, 029 has failed. With the other two units of course being scrapped as I type this message. Merseyrail have dug themselves into a deep hole and haven’t realised just how deep into that hole they have dug. Now the damage is irreversible

A post has gone on from our reliable sources on the FB 2.0 page saying “it’s not over” so there is still hope yet.

As for the hole im not convinced of that at all. 3x8 cars were present for the morning peak indicating availability is improving.

The end was always going to come one day and it may already be here

 

[prod_pep]

Yes, a massive shame for everyone who likes these trains, but I'll say this for 003 and 029: they didn't fail. In what has become a hallmark of 507/8 operation over the years, even with a power problem on Thursday morning they still limped across the Southport finish line. They just got people home.

507 performance was outstanding across the ad-hoc period that started on 22nd August. 023's failure the other Saturday was the only blot.

 

[WirralLine]

Yes, a massive shame for everyone who likes these trains, but I'll say this for 003 and 029: they didn't fail. In what has become a hallmark of 507/8 operation over the years, even with a power problem on Thursday morning they still limped across the Southport finish line. They just got people home.

507 performance was outstanding across the ad-hoc period that started on 22nd August. 023's failure the other Saturday was the only blot.

023s "failure" was apparently a failed cab heater.

 

[Andy317345]

So is that it for the 507s?

 

[cspotting_]

Has the world stopped turning on Merseyside today without them, then?

Well obviously not, Its just Merseyrail are going to have a great deal of trouble on their hands when all of the 777’s are broke and they realise there are no more 507’s remaining to sub onto services

 

[baldyman26]

Why is there such a shortage of 777s, surely Stadler know how to fix the trains they built.

 

[WirralLine]

Why is there such a shortage of 777s, surely Stadler know how to fix the trains they built.

Supply of parts has been an issue, some units with bigger issues were being used as parts donors recently, not sure if any are currently.

 

[a4 Sir Nigel]

Aren't 507023 and 507029 getting withdrawn this week

 

[DJH1971]

So is that it for the 507s?

It looks like it

 

[43096]

Well obviously not, Its just Merseyrail are going to have a great deal of trouble on their hands when all of the 777’s are broke and they realise there are no more 507’s remaining to sub onto services

It was supposed to happen months ago, so better to be thankful for what you have had, than raging at there being no further extension.

 

[Sam 76]

Well obviously not, Its just Merseyrail are going to have a great deal of trouble on their hands when all of the 777’s are broke and they realise there are no more 507’s remaining to sub onto services

I suspect they will be fine. As I mentioned earlier there was 3x8 car units on Southports in the peak. Meaning that they can’t be that short on units

 

[D365]

I’m not sure what you are expecting them to do given the sets appear to be demic. Spend money to repair them just so you can have a final trip?

The 507s only need to be in a fit enough state to be dragged to Newport - or in 001’s case, low-loaded to Litchurch Lane.

Speaking of Litchurch Lane, the “Rail 200” centennial celebration event, to take place in 2025, is looking like the next opportunity to see/witness a Class 507.

 

[43096]

The 507s only need to be in a fit enough state to be dragged to Newport - or in 001’s case, low-loaded to Litchurch Lane.

I know that, you know that. But the wailing about these things is completely out of proportion with their significance. Just another bang average suburban EMU.

 

[Geeves]

Of course people are rightly sad that the last 507s are going and the eternal complaints about 777s remain but for the sake of reality its really not as bad as some are proclaiming on here, just had a brief look at todays trains from 600 odd trains at the end of service


Southport - 1 cancellation
Ormskirk - Hunts Cross 2 part cancellations
Headbolt Lane - 2 cancellations
West Kirby - 0 Cancellations
New Brighton - 0 Cancellations
Chester - 3 Part cancellations
Ellesmere Port - 5 cancellations

 

[a4 Sir Nigel]

Are all remaining 507s now at Birkenhead north depot stood down?

 

[Sam 76]

Of course people are rightly sad that the last 507s are going and the eternal complaints about 777s remain but for the sake of reality its really not as bad as some are proclaiming on here, just had a brief look at todays trains from 600 odd trains at the end of service


Southport - 1 cancellation
Ormskirk - Hunts Cross 2 part cancellations
Headbolt Lane - 2 cancellations
West Kirby - 0 Cancellations
New Brighton - 0 Cancellations
Chester - 3 Part cancellations
Ellesmere Port - 5 cancellations

That’s really helpful thank you for adding this up. And it’s really not so bad when you look at it like that. Especially when a few of the Ellesmere Port line services were due to a track obstruction this morning