Merseyrail Class 507/508 Electrics

Well Ok, as of today these vintage 1970s trains are not quite yet history, but very soon they will be, as the new Stadler-built Class 777 comes in and takes over services between Chester, Liverpool and Southport.

So, time to "celebrate" in pictures the BREL-built 507s and 508s, because they dissappear completely from the network, which will happen sooner than one realizes.

The following gallery of pictures was taken up and down the Northern and Wirral lines in 2013 and 2014.

https://www.classicandcurrent.net/railreports
https://www.classicandcurrent.net/trains

 

For a more extensive look try :

https://www.bonusprint.co.uk/view-online-photo-book/57594e03-f8ef-412c-8d20-38b4cadfce6c

Enjoy

 

Interesting read Fred. I was a young BTP Sergeant in Liverpool when HMQ rode in one of the then new units to Kirkby. A very nervy day as we sought to protect Her Maj from a number of 'bomb alleys' along the route. Thankfully it all passed without incident!

 

Brought back some memories of the Merseyside area.
Would a few shots of the transition from the 1938 stock to the 70's stock be a good idea?
Realise that that would go against the unit family theme though.

 

I can remember when the earlier LMS built units were withdrawn , to be replaced by the 507 and 508 units.
Some of the sets were taken to Cavendish sidings in Birkenhead docks and torched by the scrapmen.
As they burned , layers of paint melted off revealing the original LMS livery and lettering.

Bob.

 

We ran a joint emergency services major incident using a withdrawn 503 set. Part of the scenario required one vehicle to be blacked out (to simulate being in a tunnel) and the fire Service were supposed to cut their way into it. The cutting tools couldn't touch the strength of the LMS build!

 

One of my "timeless" shots was taken in June 1986 when the preserved LMS Class 502 set (in maroon LMS livery) was reversing at Formby during a running day between Southport and Formby. Above the trainset was the frontage of the station with L&Y signage set in the facia hence a pure vintage scene. 3 weeks after taking the picture the local council placed a zebra crossing immediately in front of the station and the orange flashing light now stands above the parapet of the frontage hence the rarity and timelessness of the image.

 

memories seeing the 508s as Southern units before they joined the 507s on merseyside

 

Here's something you don't see every day.........
The occasion was a joint Steamport B.R. exhibition in Southport Station in the run up to Rocket 150. B.R. wanted to display one of their, then new, 507's alongside Lion and a selection of locos/rolling stock from Steamport but had no loco available to shunt the 507 from the carriage sidings onto the non-electrified side of the station. The solution was to borrow 7298 (already main-line certified for Rainhill etc), fit a specially made knuckle coupler over the Jinty's drawhook and go get the unit! Couldn't happen today.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

I can remember being on the footplate as fireman on 7298 and asking the BR man about injector overflows onto the third rail (not being very scientific !)

Bob.

 

Deviating slightly, why was the Jinty carrying '7298' on the smokebox, but '47298' on the side?

 

Whilst the front numberplate was a cast iron reproduction the bunker side numbers were paper, stuck on, IIRC. After the event a professional repaint was carried out in preparation for Rocket 150.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Derek Foster did have the original 47298 smokebox numberplate, courtesy of Gerry Drought, an enthusiast from St. Helens who had bought it from BR at Sutton Oak shed.

Bob.

 

I'm fairly sure that the professional repaint was carried out after Rocket 150. I might be wrong, after all it was 35 years ago. ( I was one of the professionals )

 

I think that you're right about the re-paint Gary, although it was nearly forty years ago and the memory dims.

Bob.

 

I'm still intrigued as to why the two sets of numbers - or are we just looking at whimsy?

 

January 1948 livery. New smokebox plate not yet cast.

Bob.

 

I remember you and Mr Williams doing the paint job.......and it was before Rocket 150 as the first photo, of 7298 at Wigan Wallgate on it's way to Bold shows - and a very nice job you did too! Re the front numberplate Jerry gave/loaned it to us (LLPG) to affix to the front of the loco for publicity photos at Barry in Spring 1973 and, again, when Derek first steamed the Jinty in 1979. You can just about make it out in the second photo. I assume that Derek had affixed the 'new' 7298 plate in preparation for the full repaint as soon as the Joint Exhibition was over but left on the paper "47298" bunker numerals from the first steamings a few months earlier. Is it really 40 years since the unforgettable Rocket 150 - seems only like yesterday!
Cheers,
Ray.

 

You can watch the cavalcade on iPlayer.

 

I see a young looking Mr Foster in the background of the Southport shot, together with the Pooley van from which I managed to slip off the top step while holding the ejector casting. The ejector was o.k. but I managed to butt the adjacent running rail, resulting in a trip to hospital.

Bob.