I really made the right decision to head onto Merseyrail on March 5th - it was a day of several unusual/ important occurrances. Biggest news was 507 002 and 030 being stood down from service. 002 was a very important unit to many, as iconic as 001 historically and especially well liked with its Hope University livery. Only recently restored to use, problems reoccurred so it was duly stood down - luck was with me that I was at Hamilton Square to see it head through to Birkenhead North Depot for scrapping preparation. 030 was still out to play on Southport runs so I was able to have a few encounters, including a non-stop run to South Parkway at one point and also videoing its last ever public service run at Freshfield in the late afternoon. Also notable (only revealed the next week) was my last sightings of 507 020 and 031 subsequently stood down on March 12th
A suitably wacky start had been provided by a 150 on my Wigan-Liverpool train AND arriving into platform 10 at Lime Street - a real "first ever" moment for me, from our line anyway. We also were treated to 507 010 running on Ormskirk services and 507 018 sounding particularly lovely on West Kirby trains - both destinations supposedly out of bounds for the old guard now. A battery 777 was out on the Ormskirk line for variety too. Jointed track had now sadly disappeared at Sandhills but was still holding strong around Formby at the time of this visit.
I'd also decided to try to get some lineside shots and picked on the Fishermans Path crossing just north of Freshfield. I was rewarded with an 8 car 777 test run and the MPV passing through as well as service trains. The Fish and Chip shop by the station was also noted for future reference!
All in all a bittersweet but very rewarding day. Units list is in the comments.
Ooh, timestamps, you're really spoiling us!
0:00:01 - "Day of unusual" starts suitably with 150 125 on the Wigan Liverpool line. Filmed bits and pieces of the journey, including passing through my own station non-stop! Gets really bizarre when we arrive into platform 10 at Lime Street!
0:12:06 - Skipping to James Street and 507 018 is on West Kirby trains! We have a short trip to Hamilton Square for now
0:18:30 - Various comings and goings underneath Birkenhead
0:23:14 - It's an "End of era" moment as 507 002 makes its way ECS to Birkenhead North after having been stood down the previous evening. The news that 002/030 were to be imminently withdrawn had only become apparent less than an hour before. Farewell venerable friend :-(
0:24:48 - board a subdued 507 029 out to New Brighton. Of note is platform 1 still being used at Birkenhead North due to a track defect. 507 017 and 777 013 were outside the depot, 002 having already gone undercover and 507 031 is seen for the last time on arrival
0:29:46 - Join in the platform 1 fun at North with a double 507 departure then 777 013 comes off depot and into service affording us a solo look onboard
0:33:02 - Back at James Street and 507 014 heads through ECS to Birkenhead North
0:34:45 - Now up to the Northern at Central and 507 030 still survives for now coupled to 016. We head to Bank Hall then a couple of positioning 777s take us to Maghull North
0:39:47 - And here's why, 507 010 on the Ormskirk line! No PIS working on this journey for some reason but it got turned back on at Central. We see 777 140 also on Ormskirk duties whilst on board
0:49:38 - Leave 010 at Moorfields. Then some Northern line activity and the 777s are throwing some tantrums it seems. We pick back up at Central with the next departure being advertised Non stop to South Parkway only. It's none other than 507 016 and 030 that draws in for this working so of course we indulge!
1:10:10 - Happy that I've seen 030 off in style I head back to the Wirral to take advantage of 507 018 to West Kirby. What an awesome sounding unit this is!
1:18:11 - Now to visit Fishermans Path crossing at Freshfield. I capture 507 016/030 again heading south at Bank Hall and also spy an MPV unit waiting the road at Bootle branch junction. There's then a very fruitful half hour spent just north of Freshfield with service trains (including my last sighting of 507 020 withdrawn on 12th March), the MPV and 777 003 and 011 conducting 8 car testing all passing through in the late afternoon light.
1:22:01 - End of an era part 2. 030 leads 016 into Freshfield northbound. After this service arrived at Southport, 030 was withdrawn and later in the evening headed to Birkenhead North to join 002. Another sad farewell
1:23:11 - the next southbound is 507 003 and 033. I settle in for jointed track loveliness (still extant thankfully) and 003 treats me to a bonus of snap crackle and pop effects all the way back to town. Really enjoyable run especially the evening light over the Mersey as we reach Liverpool
1:34:07 - Take in the retro Port Sunlight advert at Moorfields then 507 028 arrives to return us to Lime Street and end quite a momentous day!