Merseyrail Class 507 and 508 | a fond farewell

[@Rail_Focus]

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[@JohnWalshLegend]

Still running on the Southport-Hunts Cross which is my local line. I'll be sorry to see them go, as I remember them entering service back in 78! As for reliability, don't forget they are on a self contained network, the only conflicts being between South Parkway and Hunts Cross, and the Depot at Chester, but well run at the same time!

[@Rail_Focus]

Let's just hope the reliability of the 777s improves. I'm sure mechanically the new units will be reliable, but currently there seems to be numerous issues with doors. The PEPs were revolutionary but relatively basic compared with new stock

[@Sim0nTrains]

Will miss them but nothing last forever, great video

[@Rail_Focus]

They've served Merseyrail well, but definitely showing their age now

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

I will miss them so much but they will always never be forgotten on the Merseyrail network. As new Class 777 trains have already been introduced in service on most of Merseyrail’s network including to Headbolt Lane.

[@MrGreatplum]

Very similar to the class 313s we had down here in the south as you mentioned. It looks like the merseyrail ones were looked after better! I think the 777s are a step change better - great video on these venerable machines!

[@Rail_Focus]

They haven't fared too bad given their age, but the difference between the 507/8 and 777s is night and day.

[@thesolorunner9313]

Could you please go back and see the progress at the Interchange station for HS2? A lot has happened over the last 6 months!

[@Rail_Focus]

I will be at some point. I'm working on a Curzon St video at the moment as there's supposed to be a big milestone coming up.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Being 40 years old doesn't necessarilly make them bad. They stood the test of time. Your video didn't play the "ding-ding" when the doors were about to close!

[@Rail_Focus]

They're great units! But perhaps past their beat now.

[@Nick-kz6dg]

Speaking of Stadler trains, what's going on with the new Glasgow Subway trains? They started testing on the network over 2 years ago.

[@Rail_Focus]

Not sure to be honest, although I believe they are still waiting on the signalling upgrades to be completed

[@paulgorton2207]

Just a correction. The 507s entered service 1st November 1978. Not 1979, replacing the 502s

[@waleedarif6740]

507s and 508s still have strength in them. It's hard to say if or not they deserve more years but if I had to choose a Yes or No answer, I'd go for Yes, they do deserve another few years of regular pesssanger service in them.

[@Rail_Focus]

They are good solid trains, but stepping onboard a 777 then a 507/8s it's clear they are now very tired. The 777s are just much more pleasant to ride on.

[@dodahspeak]

@@Rail_Focus quite true. But in terms of the exterior "aesthetics" I far prefer the more "traditional" style of the 507/8 types of trains. I find that the 777's front/rear looks more like a city tram than a heavy rail train.

[@caramelldansen2204]

Gonna miss them :(

[@caramelldansen2204]

On the topic of liveries, I must say that the current 50X livery is dreadful.

[@srfurley]

I live on the Southern, and remember the 508s being introduced. They seemed like something out of the space age when compared to the Southern SUB and EPB units. I did travel on the old LMS units, classes 502 and 503 I think, on a visit to Liverpool just before they were withdrawn.

[@Rail_Focus]

Much like the 777s if today, the PEPs were definitely a step change over the previous units.

[@caramelldansen2204]

@@Rail_Focus Here's hoping at least one of each (507 & 508) get preserved! Is there any news on that?

[@Rail_Focus]

Not that I've heard. It would be a shame if they were all scrapped, but it's difficult to know where any preserved units could go.

[@burnsyrail7616]

Personally I prefer the Class 507s and 508s alot more than the 777s. They've been the Merseyside workhorses for the last 40+ years and they are probably the most reliable trains on the national rail network. In some ways I feel they are more reliable than the 777s which are replacing them. Most fond memory of the 507s and 508s is probably the sound of the traction motors, they're so versatile and have a certain unique charm to them.

[@Rail_Focus]

The 777s still need to 'bed in' and I think reliability is improving. But the 507/8s have been very reliable and do have certain charm. That traction motor sound is quite unique

[@highwaykid10gaming34]

@@Rail_Focus by bed in do you mean the noise ?

[@Andrewjg_89]

As more and more Class 777s are coming into service on other lines on the Merseyrail network it will be sad to see the Class 507 and Class 508 trains to be replaced and to be sent for scrap. I will miss them so much. Goodbye Class 507 and Class 508. 😢

[@caramelldansen2204]

I wonder how feasible it would be to turn the North Mersey branch (the short mothballed railway between Bootle and Aintree) into a heritage railway, or allow heritage running along it. Then perhaps these units, as well as a variety of locos, could see a second life.

[@Andrewjg_89]

Possibly. Maybe preserve one Class 507 and Class 508.

[@caramelldansen2204]

@@Andrewjg_89 Full agreement. Is there an effective way to at least ask / request / recommend to have things like this done? If there are, let me know!

[@dodahspeak]

@@Andrewjg_89 I hope so. Do you know of any plans to preserve any?

[@macjim]

And 316…

[@Rail_Focus]

Knew I'd missed one 😅

[@macjim]

@@Rail_Focus sorry, i was mistaken, it’s a 614 we have and not a 316… silly me. 🫢

[@jasongnrfan7374]

Ive never been on a Mersey rail

[@Rail_Focus]

Definitely worth a trip if you ever get a chance.

[@Metis1337]

Glad they're going, they were terrible.

[@Rail_Focus]

I'm not sure if I'd call them terrible, they were good trains for their time, but definitely haven't aged well

[@dodahspeak]

@@Rail_Focus I wonder if the 777's will age any better over time? Most modern things don't seem to be built to last as well as they used to.

[@Rail_Focus]

Stadler units seem to be well built, but the complexity is a concern. With steps moving in and out hundreds of times a day. Only time will tell, but MR expects them to last 30+ years.

[@dodahspeak]

@@Rail_Focus At age 68 I'm statistically unlikely to find out!

[@DonaldTrumpIsGreat]

PEPS Are Dying Sadly and It's Tragic That Great Northern Got Rid of Them In Favour Class 717s

[@Rail_Focus]

Let's just hope at least 1 of Merseyrail's PEPs is preserved

[@DonaldTrumpIsGreat]

@@Rail_Focus Yes