Class 507/508 preservation?

[MattRat]

Are there any plans to preserve any on these units? If so, what are the arrangements? If not, then why not?

 

[Class360/1]

There are rumours that merseytravel are going to preserve a 507. Not sure if it will be a static exhibit

 

[Islineclear3_1]

A PEP is already being preserved - 313.201, by the NRM when it is retired from service

Its more in original condition externally compared to the 507s/508s

 

[A0]

Are there any plans to preserve any on these units? If so, what are the arrangements? If not, then why not?

Unlikely - plenty of threads around here but EMU preservation doesn't attract the punters to heritage railways, you've got no way of powering them, so they need to be dragged usually by a diesel though the EKR has got an MLV with battery power.

You only need to look at the lack of interest in even historically "important" units e.g. Mersey class 502, LNER class 306 or Southern 4DD and the state they've got in to see why the PEP units are unlikely to see widespread preservation - the NRM has earmarked 313201 which of all the PEPs makes most sense.

 

[jamesst]

Are there any plans to preserve any on these units? If so, what are the arrangements? If not, then why not?

I hope not, they're knackered and falling to bits

 

[MattRat]

I hope not, they're knackered and falling to bits

Knackerd? Perhaps. Falling to bits? Not really. You might think they are due to the bouncing, but that's due to the terrible trackwork. There's an alarming amount of places the third rail connection gets disconnected and sparks fly, and some places are even running lower voltage like the Wirral line (which thankfully will get fixed due to the new units). Add in the lack of maintenance (compare them to the 313s), and it's a miracle they keep going. If anything, it's a testament to their rugged nature.

Plus, they are a piece of Merseyrail history. 40+ years of service that has helped keep the Liverpool region moving. Outside of Liverpool, I get the lack of support, but inside Liverpool, they should get more respect. If most local politicians did as much work as these trains, they'd be celebrated.

 

[4SubAsociation]

Unlikely - plenty of threads around here but EMU preservation doesn't attract the punters to heritage railways, you've got no way of powering them, so they need to be dragged usually by a diesel though the EKR has got an MLV with battery power.

You only need to look at the lack of interest in even historically "important" units e.g. Mersey class 502, LNER class 306 or Southern 4DD and the state they've got in to see why the PEP units are unlikely to see widespread preservation - the NRM has earmarked 313201 which of all the PEPs makes most sense.

MLV's have not been at EKR since 2016

Nearly all EMUs that are in presevation at preserved lines are dragged by diesel. The closest you will get to seeing a EMU sort of running at present is if it is hauled by 73/33 combo or a MLV (eden valley has those). Although on the point of emu preservation, when the COR was being dragged around the EKR on August Bank holiday weekend last year, it was quite popular as most people wanted to go in the older coach than the newer VEP/MK2 behind it.

The above statement is generally true about EMU as a whole to be fair. Even with some of the Celebrity units. Before 2010 the brighton belle was scattered accross the country not as a complete unit (even though other EMU sacrificed themselves to have them functional)

Although i think attitutes are changing somewhat with the older units now. Not sure about the newer ones mind.

Knackerd? Perhaps. Falling to bits? Not really. You might think they are due to the bouncing, but that's due to the terrible trackwork. There's an alarming amount of places the third rail connection gets disconnected and sparks fly, and some places are even running lower voltage like the Wirral line (which thankfully will get fixed due to the new units). Add in the lack of maintenance (compare them to the 313s), and it's a miracle they keep going. If anything, it's a testament to their rugged nature.

Plus, they are a piece of Merseyrail history. 40+ years of service that has helped keep the Liverpool region moving. Outside of Liverpool, I get the lack of support, but inside Liverpool, they should get more respect. If most local politicians did as much work as these trains, they'd be celebrated.

Class 503 and Liverpool Overhead Trailer Coach comes to mind when you say this. The 503 was planned to go into a transport musuem which did not happen and the trailer coach was part of Steamport collection orignally.....

Slight Off Topic i know (ideally this may need a dedicated emu preservation thread?)

 

[fgwrich]

Knackerd? Perhaps. Falling to bits? Not really. You might think they are due to the bouncing, but that's due to the terrible trackwork. There's an alarming amount of places the third rail connection gets disconnected and sparks fly, and some places are even running lower voltage like the Wirral line (which thankfully will get fixed due to the new units). Add in the lack of maintenance (compare them to the 313s), and it's a miracle they keep going. If anything, it's a testament to their rugged nature.

Plus, they are a piece of Merseyrail history. 40+ years of service that has helped keep the Liverpool region moving. Outside of Liverpool, I get the lack of support, but inside Liverpool, they should get more respect. If most local politicians did as much work as these trains, they'd be celebrated.

I was never a fan of the PEP design at all, in part having been used to their more scruffy brothers (& cousins) at SouthEastern and Sliverlink, yet had something of a epiphany when I used them in 2020. Yes, they are 40 years old, and they probably are mechanically tired, but to the Passenger they are very well kept and remain some of the smartest units I've travelled on. Their refurbishments during the last two decades, as well as tidying up the front of the units, have certainly made them into some of the smartest looking ex BR EMUs around.

 

[pdeaves]

Its more in original condition externally compared to the 507s/508s

Whilst true, in the hypothetical case where someone wants to save a 507 or 508, does that matter? Could a unit not be preserved in 'current' condition (with those wonky front lights, for example)?

 

[bramling]

I was never a fan of the PEP design at all, in part having been used to their more scruffy brothers (& cousins) at SouthEastern and Sliverlink, yet had something of a epiphany when I used them in 2020. Yes, they are 40 years old, and they probably are mechanically tired, but to the Passenger they are very well kept and remain some of the smartest units I've travelled on. Their refurbishments during the last two decades, as well as tidying up the front of the units, have certainly made them into some of the smartest looking ex BR EMUs around.

Yes more rugged than they look, 40+ years of good service, pretty much all the fleets intensively worked for most or all of their life. Not a bad record by any means.

That said, 3+2 seating on a Hertford 313 going into London on a winter morning peak was a fairly miserable experience.

 

[irish_rail]

Plus, they are a piece of Merseyrail history. 40+ years of service that has helped keep the Liverpool region moving. Outside of Liverpool, I get the lack of support, but inside Liverpool, they should get more respect. If most local politicians did as much work as these trains, they'd be cecelebrated

I would say there would be support far from Liverpool. Iconic units, with mythical levels of reliability. Id say most people have had a ride on one at some point in their lives.
I for one hope one gets saved.

 

[A0]

MLV's have not been at EKR since 2016

Mea culpa. I remember them having them, forgot they'd bern moved.