Well another week went by from the previous video and amazingly 508s 139 and 141 were still out and about. I therefore grabbed an opportunity to head into town again after work on the 15th to see if I could drop lucky. They actually stayed in service until November 23rd, a good three weeks after their supposed withdrawal date "imminently" after the 5.08 sunset railtour on 29th October - well done you little beauties! The Weedkiller MPV was still playing around on the Wirral too and I was fortunate enough to catch it underground this time
This video also marks my last ride on 508 103 which was withdrawn on December 6 along with my big pal 508 136 "Wilfred Owen" - but see the following video for details of that days adventures!
777s causing a few, um, issues today.
UNITS SEEN 15th NOVEMBER
CHESTER SERVICES - 507 029, 031 / 777 001, 002, 005
ELLESMERE PORT SERVICES - 777 012, 014, 015
NEW BRIGHTON SERVICES - 507 011, 014 / 508 103
WEST KIRBY SERVICES - 507 018, 023 / 508 131, 139
SOUTHPORT/HUNTS X SERVICES - 507 002, 010, 015, 017, 032 / 508 104, 108, 114, 136, 141
ORMSKIRK SERVICES - 777 006, 009, 020, 031
KIRKBY SERVICES - 777 148
Here come those happy little timestamps everyone!
0:00:01 - We had elected to start off from Kirkby this time. A bit of a mistake as the juniors were being rather badly behaved in class this morning. As I arrived a packed replacement bus was just leaving due to a train cancellation before mine. 777 148 duly turned up for my service and was full to bursting just from the Kirkby and Headbolt Lane pick ups. It deposits us at Moorfields and next through is 507 002/015 on a 6 car to Hunts X so we go one stop further to Liverpool Central, descend to the Wirral and take 507 029 to Hamilton Square
0:06:17 - After some activity we board sadly graffitied-up 508 131 out to Bidston with a gratuitous amount of compressor noise! After departing we see some activity from the pedestrian bridge
0:16:50 - Well isn't it only 508 139 that arrives next heading into town! Have a quick final farewell fling then bail to see her depart Birkenhead North. 508 103 runs in next (and although I don't know it at the time, this is my final ride on this unit too) so we make our way back to Hamilton Square
0:26:31 - Dodgy zooming time and various comings and goings. Particularly pleased to catch the Weedkiller MPV heading first under the Mersey to James Street then returning through the river Tunnel after reversing there to head off towards Chester. 507 029 takes us along to James Street next
0:34:23 - 507 018 taxies us back to Birkenhead for 507 032 onwards to Green Lane. We return to Liverpool with 507 031
0:43:37 - Up to the Northern line at Liverpool Central now. Some departures include 507 002 now running solo to Hunts X. We then board 507 010 to head up to Seaforth and Litherland and although i don't get haulage, 508 141 crosses with our train near to Bank Hall marking the last time for me seeing it in service - the happy memories of the October railtour will always ensure I have a particularly soft spot for this unit. Farewell friend!
0:47:32 - Having hopped off at Seaforth and Litherland due to seeing an unusual working on realtimetrains I am greeted with 507s 015 and 016 running southbound empty stock to Kirkdale. I then board a late and quite freezing 507 011 up to Formby
0:53:01 - Well although I didn't get onboard 141, I am more than consoled by my big fave 508 136 "wacky fan noise" Wilfred Owen turning up for the next southbound. We have a jointed track loveliness/excessive compressor compilation back to Sandhills before boarding junior class 777 031 up to Kirkdale to finish proceedings (and eventually head off home to bed!)