A History & Review of the class 507s - Soon to be gone! | Stragglers class 507

For those who know my channel well, you may know of my 'Stragglers' series - the series where I look at Britain's oldest trains, and review them.
Today I'm trialing a new format of video, to better reflect my growing audience: In today's video I'll look at an in-depth history of the class 507/class 508s before reviewing the units and discussing the future of them.
If you enjoy this style of video, do let me know! If there's anything I've missed, or you would like to add to the video, also let me know!
There are a few points I forgot to mention, for example the 313s being AC powered as well as DC, also the new Headbolt Lane station as an example of the 777s battery motor usage!
Thank you for 2k subs, it means a lot! Do consider Liking & Subscribing if you enjoy!
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Any content featured in this video has been accredited to the correct author, where possible, with permission. However, I may sometimes mistakenly miscredit content, so please let me know if I have got credits wrong for authors of content featured in this video.
Any views mentioned in this video are of my opinion and my opinion only. I am impartial and will never be swayed by a company to not tell the truth, however will sometimes speak from my own viewpoint. I always attempt to use sources that are from sites that I personally trust; BBC, Sky News etc, and I will always attempt to portray the whole picture of the subject in my videos.
References:
Wikipedia (and accreditted sources)
BBC
The Guardian
Sky News
ITV News
Rail Gazette
Department For Transport
ORR
RMT
Project Mapping
The Telegraph
The Standard
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Ⓒ Vanmanyo

[@Vanmanyo]

Thank you for the recent support - and I hope you enjoy this new format of video! The final part of 'Tilting Triumph - Class 390 History' should be out next week! Do consider subscribing and 'joining' the channel - it's hugely appreciated!

[@cameronlaw8674]

The mersyrail tunnels will never feel the same after the sounds of the 507/508s running round them

[@kieranstravels]

This is a brilliant video van! I'm glad to see your growth as a creator, your videos have always been great. Another fun fact, the Merseyrail New Electrics board is still around, and often is brought on MR railtours.

[@Vanmanyo]

Thank you!!

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

I hope that 507001 (or any 507, really) is saved for preservation.

[@dermitseinenzuegen]

I think I was lucky to ride one of the 507s on my class trip in Summer 23. Didnt saw a single 777. Through the tunnel under the mersey, enjoying the 507 sound was GREAT! It also was my first british trains experience. Btw, I am from Berlin

[@Vanmanyo]

Ah cool! British trains are amazing, though I do love Germany (I took it for one of my subjects for my GCSES (UK big exams)!)

[@jamesheath4845]

Longer format is great! We're all here for the nerding

[@Vanmanyo]

Cheers! Who isn't here for nerding!!???

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Excellent film young man - I envy some of your editing skills! I roared with laughter when you said "If you like the 507s maybe you like old trains too much" - and I thought "cheeky boy!" A more neutral comment could be "The 507s certainly have a sentimental appeal" which would offend no-one. Just a frendly tip, as I love your style. Keep going and developing.

[@Vanmanyo]

I was prepared for the incoming enslaught! Thank you though. I was definitely pusing it with that comment but I think it's about time we let go of the 507s! Thank you again :D

[@TomCro73]

Thanks for the video! Regarding accessibility, bear in mind that all Merseyrail stations are staffed and if a mobility impaired user needs help, a wheelchair ramp will generally be deployed at the door as soon as the train arrives. The territory enjoys temperate weather - A/C is almost never needed, and wouldn't have been specified if the company was serious about reducing energy consumption. The 507s/508s have served Merseyrail superbly for over 4 decades and continue to be popular with commuters - who've learned the hard way just how many teething problems are still to be resolved on the 777s. Though the worst feature is the branding - apparently management decided that the Merseyrail moniker needed replacing, so picked "Metro" from a catalogue of 1980s cliches. But despite hard seating, they're impressive units that will serve the region well... albeit, having a tough act to follow!

[@Vanmanyo]

I would say AC definitely is needed! Being in tunnels during summer means the temperatures are very very high! British summer overground is still very hot so AC is a great addition!

[@TomCro73]

@@Vanmanyo So with all respect, you've no clue what you're talking about regarding the platform temperatures on Merseyrail tunnel vs above ground stations, nor the local climate. Can we agree on that?

[@Vanmanyo]

@@TomCro73 Well I've been on Merseyrail in the Summer and the tunnels can be incredibly warm, just like tehe tube!

[@TomCro73]

@@Vanmanyo Really not comparable with the tube, where tunnel & on-platform temperatures can approach 40degC during heatwaves. Subterranean Merseyrail lines can indeed get toasty, but (happily) nothing quite like they do in the capital!

[@olliehhunt1660]

These videos are great mate, good job

[@Vanmanyo]

Cheers!

[@gwrydd]

The seats are amazing compared to the 777’s as someone often going from limestreet to Chester id happily have a 507/8 than a 777

[@Vanmanyo]

I would take the 777 over the 507 for literally every other aspect though!

[@robshorts]

The interior lighting is still fluorescent lighting following refurbishment, albeit recessed into the ceiling behind panels. LED technology wasn't quite ready in 2005 when these units were refurbished. Good video!

[@Vanmanyo]

Cheers Rob! To be honest it still looks pretty decent even today!

[@robshorts]

@@Vanmanyo I'm something of a lighting geek tbh, most folk aren't bothered so long as the lighting is doing its job. I did enjoy the video, thanks for making it.

[@Vanmanyo]

@@robshorts haha we all have our specialities - that certainly is a cool one though!

[@lovefive5733]

A great video, I've subscribed. Thank you 😊

[@Vanmanyo]

Thank you so much!

[@lovefive5733]

@@Vanmanyo your welcome

[@SpekerIsHere697]

dang 507021 getting a lot of pictures taken of it

[@RandomUsername2004]

Enjoy your series Good Videos

[@Vanmanyo]

Thanks!

[@DefaultMale_]

9:12 The southport line IS (part of) the northern line I believe you meant the wirral line. The southport line is my line so I still have a few months left of daily commuting before these are gone for good

[@Vanmanyo]

Yep I did, thank you! I'm not a Merseyrail guy!

[@BACConcordeproductions]

luckily, the Northern line still has 507's as I have been on one yesterday

[@Vanmanyo]

Ah cool! They still have a few months left in them I think! Do consider subscirbing if you did enjoy!!

[@nathanw9770]

Would be cool to see a video on the 508s especially since i know they were used on the South Eastern a while ago.

[@Vanmanyo]

I agree it would be cool! Sadly, I don't think there would be enough information to warrant a whole video, also they have now all been retired so I wouldn't be able to 'review' them! It could be something I do as a spin off in the future though

[@AndrewG1989]

Soon it’ll be the end of the Class 508. With more Class 777s coming into service across the Merseyrail network.

[@Northwestexpress.]

Something you missed is 507001 has the potential to be preserved with the 507 preservation group. Another thing is the fact that the 508s and 7s were stored at the now disused Birkenhead mollington street depot before transfer to Birkenhead north. And the Southport line is part of the northern line so it is not all 777 workings. Apart from that, nice video!

[@Vanmanyo]

Ah thank you! I'm not a Liverpudlian so I don't know the whole network! Hope you enjoyed 😆

[@SirKenchalot]

Interesting video and I like the more in depth style. I didn't know there were 3rd rail tracks out of KX back then. Also, why are these sort of trains designated class 3xx when running out of KX, 4xx when out of Waterloo and 5xx in Liverpool? So what's the next oldest rolling stock in the UK (besides the 1972/3 tube stock) and when will that be going?

[@Vanmanyo]

Thank you! KGX doesn't actually have 3rd rail, but the 313s are actually AC and DC (I mentioned this mistake in the description!). I'm not sure why the 507s are designated 5XXs! Perhaps the mk3s are 3rd oldest?

[@SirKenchalot]

@@VanmanyoThat's a point, aren't he HSTs as a whole older than the 507s being built int he 1970s?

[@Vanmanyo]

@@SirKenchalot I believe all the HSTs still in service are younger locos from the early 80s! The 507s are late 70s

[@WillDaytodmorden]

Some HSTs still in operation along with mk3 carriages may well be older than the class 507s

[@Vanmanyo]

I believe the only ones in service are from the early 80s Vs 507s and late 70s!

[@joeldavidhardy]

The Battery trains are only operating on the Headbolt Lane line! They are 777/1 and the 777/0 are regular third rail operated! There’s only about 10 777/1 operating with batteries! I hope this helps

[@Vanmanyo]

Yep Headbolt lane is the only reason they have batteries! But it does provide a base for potential other expansions

[@joeldavidhardy]

@@Vanmanyo yes that’s true too! It’ll be good to see them expand the network. I cover a lot of the network! If you haven’t checked my stuff out before! There’s quite a few on Headbolt and also on Merseyrail and the class 508s

[@Vanmanyo]

@@joeldavidhardy I'll have to check your stuff out - I'm not too knowledgable on Merseyrail!

[@joeldavidhardy]

@@Vanmanyo that’s cool! Are on you on instagram!?

[@Vanmanyo]

@@joeldavidhardy My socials are in the description!

[@cadewilliamson1849]

Only the 777/1 have batterys fitted and are classed as ipemu the 777/0 are just emu powered only by the 3rd rail.

[@Vanmanyo]

Thanks! I knew only some of them had it but not sure how many, cheers for clarifying - hope you enjoyed

[@alastairoxby8037]

Commenting for the algorithm.

[@Vanmanyo]

I will reply for it too 🫡

[@poopoodealer8975]

Commenting for the CLASS ONE SIX FIVE

[@vlt14]

The earlier trains in the video are actually Class 503’s and actually date from 1938

[@Vanmanyo]

Yep thank you! I couldn't find any clips of 502s so I had to settle for the 503s but I appreciate the differences!

[@class313]

3rd rail can be legally expanded. That's just a myth that it can't be

[@Vanmanyo]

Maybe legally, but the ORR have stated they want to avoid extending 3rd rail where possible!

[@class313]

@@Vanmanyo That's not strictly true either. It's down to the project to make the required safety case for third rail extension

[@Vanmanyo]

@@class313 I think the ORR would reject it either way. We haven't seen third rail extensions in a while - I don't blame the ORR though

[@class313]

@@Vanmanyo I'm just saying what you said on the video isn't strictly correct, you asked people to point out inaccuracies after all

[@Vanmanyo]

@@class313 I sure did and I thank you for your comment! I was just saying that third rail still won't ever be expanded, regardless of legality!

[@lukejennings3128]

Kinda sad i grew up witb 507/8s and its now 777 units that are actually quite uncomfortable

[@Vanmanyo]

I'll be sad when the trains I grew up with retire! However, we just have to accept that the 777s are the overall better trains!

[@poopoodealer8975]

​@@Vanmanyodon't worry @Vanmanyo the class 165 will NOT RETIRE on my hawk like WATCH

[@Rob_Star]

Class 777 are shit!

[@Vanmanyo]

Compared to the 507s I think they are huge upgrades except for the seats! I think for the accessibility alone they are an improvement

[@poopoodealer8975]

I AGREE @Rob_Star Compared the the blue seated GLORY of the 165, the class 777 DOESNT STAND A CHANCE, the number SEVEN represents luck, but I think the LUCKY number should be changed to "165" BECAUSE the class 165 is THE GREATEST train ever made

[@Vanmanyo]

@@poopoodealer8975 I think you are attached to the class 165 a bit too much

[@poopoodealer8975]

@@Vanmanyo no no no NO NO NO NO