My first journey onto Merseyrail with NO 508s to hunt down which was a very odd state of affairs really. It was a bit of a "bits and pieces" day really with no particular aims. Two more units had been withdrawn the previous day - 507s 013 and 032 so I did wonder if I may see one around Birkenhead North Depot but they were already safely ensconced inside. At the time of this visit both platform 1 and the wall sidings were out of action at Southport as works to enable 8-car 777s to use the station were in mid flow. This was resulting in some extra ecs activity between Southport and Kirkdale during the day
A highlight was seeing both 507 001and 002 in the stabling sidings at New Brighton. 002 was still awaiting a decision on repairs so was just being shuttled between there and North Depot as space requirements dictated. 507 016 was also helping out on Chester services which was nice to see - the only lines currently "guaranteed" 507s in earnest is New Brighton and Southport/Hunts X. The other notable event was my first journey on 507 003 later in the day on the Southport line. This unit had been awaiting repairs for a good few months and there was much debate whether it would actually have them done. Happily it did and as the last unit overhauled it should see service with 001 right until the end of 507 operation on Merseyside. A railtour is planned for later in the year which intends to use these units if possible, although all the usual caveats apply.
003 has also been fitted with a track recording camera in the offside window at one end. This, coupled with the completed overhaul, has resulted in some speculation that it may be kept on the network after the rest of the class is withdrawn in some non-passenger capacity. A very nice thought if it did come to pass but that's for the future to reveal to us so we'll wait and see.
UNITS NOTED ON 31ST JANUARY 2024:
CHESTER SERVICES - 507 016 / 777 006, 016, 031
ELLESMERE PORT SERVICES - 777 009, 022
NEW BRIGHTON SERVICES - 507 010, 011, 028 / 777 012
WEST KIRBY SERVICES - 777 003, 010, 014, 015, 049
SOUTHPORT/HUNTS X SERVICES - 507 007, 014, 015, 017, 018, 021, 023, 029, 033 / 777 004, 017, 025
KIRKBY SERVICES - 777 146, 150, 152
ORMSKIRK SERVICES - 777 001, 005, 007, 028, 030
MISCELLANEOUS - 507 030, 031 / 777 015 (Birkenhead North Depot), 507 033 / 777 002, 021, 032 (Kirkdale Depot) , 507 020 ( ECS on Southport Line)
Timestamps ahoy! :-
0:00:01 - 507 028 takes us to Hamilton Square for some arrivals and departures. 777s are really dominant here now. 507 011 then arrives so head back under the water to Moorfields
0:05:54 - Some Northern Line bits and bobs at Moorfields then board 507 015 (coupled to 014) for a quick jaunt to Sandhills
0:13:04 - Back underground at Central and 507 016 makes a welcome guest appearance on a Chester service so we have a quick hop over to Hamilton Square before dropping onto 507 028 again up to Birkenhead North
0:16:20 - 507s pass at Birkenhead North. We then join a 777 out to Manor Road and back whilst trying to see if 507 013/032, withdrawn the previous day, could be seen on the depot sadly without success
0:19:24 - A new angle of 777 003 leaving. We then join 507 010 to head to New Brighton
0:22:51 - As we arrive it's very nice to see both special liveried units, 507 001 and 002, are in separate stabling sidings at New Brighton. We try a few different angles to get them in one shot with mixed results and then rejoin 010 to head back to Birkenhead North
0:25:44 - Back at Moorfields for some dodgy camera work including 507 017 now sadly sporting a slightly revised livery. Quickly up to Kirkdale where 507 033 is just arriving on the depot ECS having headed down from Southport. Then its back to Sandhills for 507 007/ 018 up to Southport
0:32:08 - Some Southport station activity now. The aforementioned platform 1 works causing inevitably loud drilling! 507 007/018 leave then 033 arrives returning ECS from Kirkdale. It's supposed to couple to 017 in platform 2 but for some reason they've sent it into platform 3 instead! After reversing back out we have another go and successfully couple up. Happily for me the next arrival in is 507 003 which I haven't travelled on for many months due to its elongated spell awaiting repairs. I watch 017 and 033 head out of the station having decided to reacquaint myself with 003 for the next departure
0:38:11 - My ride back to Sandhills on 507 003. It seems rather muted to be honest compared to all the rest! At least its guaranteed (subject to the usual disclaimers) to be amongst the last of its class to stay in service due to the overhaul works being completed at last. We obviously include (if you can hear it above our special guest star, "really irritating cough lady") Jointed Track Loveliness between Formby and Hall Road :-)