Class 507 preservation society.

[M28361M]

The Class 507 Twitter account has just announced that BBC East Midlands will feature the 507 on tonight’s 6.30 news.

Look out for us tonight on @BBCEMT with a report on how 507001 is being used to help educate the next generation of rail engineers at @AlstomUK

Watch live at 6.30pm on BBC One in the East Midlands region, nationwide on Sky/Freesat 957, or on BBC iPlayer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002941g

 

[Formby EMU Fan]

Thanks for the Heads up, I've just had a look on BBC iPlayer. For those of you wanting to watch it features 12 mins 50 secs into the programme, but you only have until 6:30pm on Thursday 20th March to do so as iPlayer on keeps News programmes for 24 Hours.
The BBC reported that it was unlikely to ever run under its own power again, but I thought it was announced during the Sefton Sparkler Railtour last year that it would be run on their Test Track to ensure all her systems were in working order, or have I got that wrong?

 

[WirralLine]

Thanks for the Heads up, I've just had a look on BBC iPlayer. For those of you wanting to watch it features 12 mins 50 secs into the programme, but you only have until 6:30pm on Thursday 20th March to do so as iPlayer on keeps News programmes for 24 Hours.
The BBC reported that it was unlikely to ever run under its own power again, but I thought it was announced during the Sefton Sparkler Railtour last year that it would be run on their Test Track to ensure all her systems were in working order, or have I got that wrong?

There are plans in place to refit the shoe gear and step plates, it's still possible to be used on the test track however apparently Alstom require modifications to be done for them to allow it, not sure on full details but I believe a second man's side emergency stop plunger was one of their requirements.

 

[WesternLancer]

The Class 507 Twitter account has just announced that BBC East Midlands will feature the 507 on tonight’s 6.30 news.

Just watched it. Thanks for that.

 

[CaramellDansen]

Is there an archived version of this anywhere?

 

[D365]

Is there an archived version of this anywhere?

It’s been uploaded to YouTube.

 

[CaramellDansen]

It’s been uploaded to YouTube.

Thanks a ton

 

[simonmpoulton]

By way of an update 507001 now has its shoe gear reattached!

 

[Sun Chariot]

By way of an update 507001 now has its shoe gear reattached!

That's brilliant. I haven't heard the raucous banshee wail of traction motors, since the "last days" videos on YouTube!

 

[507016]

By way of an update 507001 now has its shoe gear reattached!

Unable to find this update anywhere, can you link it please? Cheers

 

[driverd]

Let’s be realistic. It doesn’t matter if it is withdrawn in almost as-new condition, it will be a rancid heap of scrap in a few years after it sits unloved outside somewhere unused. Heritage railways don’t want EMUs and running preserved EMU charters is a fantasy.

The realist in me agrees entirely with your first point and can be true of many preservation movements, however...

The 4VEP preserved down south, I think, is a good model for how EMU preservation can work. It spends its time mainly being loco hauled. This makes for a far more interesting ride than sitting on yet another God awful mark 1, that smells of damp and mould (or dust), and is ubiquitous up and down the land. Let's be honest, if you're more than 2 coaches away from the loco, you may as well be a mk1 coach enthusiast at your average preserved railway, as you can barely tell what's on the front.

Would there be any immediate issue with a 73 hauling a 507? I'm aware the unit has found a life elsewhere, but just on a theoretical level alone?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Would there be any immediate issue with a 73 hauling a 507? I'm aware the unit has found a life elsewhere, but just on a theoretical level alone?

All the PEP derived EMU classes were BSI / Tightlock couplers and air / electrical connectivity, weren't they?

Class 73 are coupling + cabling compatible with VEP, CIG/BIG, CEP/BEP, REP/TC, MLV.

 

[Wyrleybart]

All the PEP derived EMU classes were BSI / Tightlock couplers and air / electrical connectivity, weren't they?

Class 73 are coupling + cabling compatible with VEP, CIG/BIG, CEP/BEP, REP/TC, MLV.

I am quite sure that if there a will, then a revertable conversion coluld be possible. Remember the pair of class 504s at Bury that ran with a class 25 sandwiched in the middle, or the class 25 or 27 that operated with the class 303 ?. Yes, I realise these with blue square diesels coupled to buffered EMUs, but at the very least I imagine something like an air braked wagon could have a tightlock coupler fitted at one end - pretty much like those 100t tank wagons used to deliver all the LUL S7s and S8s from Derby to West Ruislip. I guess a brake translator unit as fitted to ROG 37s and GBRf 47s and 57s could be fitted to either the loco or the adaptor wagon

I think there are solutions available to EMU owners, but they involve the host railways actually accepting them, and possibly finding interested diesel loco owners to rise to the challenge.

 

[WirralLine]

If i remember rightly the group who has 313201 have acquired the remaining coach from 508201 to modify as a barrier coach so it can be loco hauled

 

[M28361M]

Unable to find this update anywhere, can you link it please? Cheers

It was shared on a private Facebook group, but an update is now on C507PS website. Relevant bit:

Whenever a 507 or 508 had to travel beyond the Merseyrail network, the shoegear was removed to avoid damage to the train or trackside equipment. 507001 was no exception, and prior to its final trip to Newport on 23rd January, its third rail shoes were removed and stored on board.

We're pleased to share that the shoegear has now been refitted and our third rail EMU now has third rail capability once more!

 

[WirralLine]

Update from the 507 group, 507001 has been outside and powered up on the 3rd rail to charge its batteries last week to see if MA (motor alternator) repairs have been successful. Great to see!

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @Barnsley to update.

 

[simonmpoulton]

507001 ran under its own power once again on Tuesday of this week!
Full details (and video) are on the Class 507 Preservation Societies website. 507001 Powers On

 

[8J]

507001 ran under its own power once again on Tuesday of this week!
Full details (and video) are on the Class 507 Preservation Societies website. 507001 Powers On

This is great to see. The 507 Preservation Society has had more than it's fair share of critics and doubters since it was formed, however achieving this (a first in preservation of an EMU believe) is quite an achievement.

 

[D365]

The 507 Preservation Society has had more than it's fair share of critics and doubters since it was formed, however achieving this (a first in preservation of an EMU believe) is quite an achievement.

313201 has operated under its own power also. But for 507001 to have been repaired, cleaned, powered up and driven again, it’s a fantastic achievement.

It also has to be said that there are some very experienced personnel within the 507 ranks - some of whom can be seen in the linked video. Plus the generosity of Alstom to continue hosting the PS for the foreseeable.

 

[simonmpoulton]

As a further update 507001 went on Alstom's Derby test track again today and even carried some passengers! Class 507 Preservation Society Facebook Post

 

[nilvaj395]

I was very sad that no Merseyside museum could be bothered to pick up a 507, but I am so happy the PS has not only saved 001 in its entirety but fully fixed it up from the issues on the tour. What they have been able to achieve from what they set out to do is nothing short of impressive, and I hope they keep on going for a long time to come.

 

[DGH 1]

As a further update 507001 went on Alstom's Derby test track again today and even carried some passengers! Class 507 Preservation Society Facebook Post

More great news, onwards and upwards for emu preservation.

 

[sad1e]

Any ideas what the future holds for the 507 , is it going to be kept as a a mainline ready unit , or functional but not mainline ready like the 4Vep?

Personally i hope they get around to running a few railtours with it in the future , a 507 down south would be a very interesting sight to behold.

 

[D365]

Any ideas what the future holds for the 507 , is it going to be kept as a a mainline ready unit , or functional but not mainline ready like the 4Vep?

For the foreseeable it will be remaining at Litchurch Lane.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

For the foreseeable it will be remaining at Litchurch Lane.

Is it no longer going to the Tanat Valley, as originally stated?

 

[LRV3004]

Is it no longer going to the Tanat Valley, as originally stated?

Tanat Valley to sit static or stay at Litchurch Lane and be operational….I know which one I’m choosing!!!

 

[DGH 1]

Tanat Valley to sit static or stay at Litchurch Lane and be operational….I know which one I’m choosing!!!

I agree.

 

[Bertie the bus]

As Litchurch Lane is an operational industrial site presumably the majority of the preservation society will not be allowed access so let me get my crystal ball out... The people funding it will soon start questioning why they are paying so a small, select group group can have a play thing and it will soon get shipped out to some God forsaken site in the wilderness. Exactly the same as 313201.

 

[D365]

As Litchurch Lane is an operational industrial site presumably the majority of the preservation society will not be allowed access...

This is incorrect. My (outside) experience is that Alstom has been very receptive to society activities and - as can be see on the iPlayer and YouTube clips - has been quite happy to host groups of visitors to the unit.