The 508 Sunset, a Branch Line Society railtour of Merseyrail

The 508 Sunset, a Branch Line Society railtour of Merseyrail - 29th October 2023

Рет қаралды 1,670

8 ай бұрын

Please see comments for the info and abbreviation guide, we'll just bring on the timestamps here:-)
0:00:06 - HN my joining station, nice to see tour up on departures board on arrival. Surely "SP" doesn't feature here very often!
0:00:12 - ECS arrives +picks up staff, volunteers and MERCHANDISE then heads down to CR to start tour
0:02:28 - Still some duties for old guard on Sundays. 507 028 heads to LC from EP before freshly graffitied (GRRR) 507 033 departs for CR
0:03:31 - Our train arrives at P1 - PIS gives best route description for day. Imagine Julie Berry announcing that lot! a 777 heads to CR then we reverse out to EP
0:07:20 - Another reversal, head northbound through P2 at HN and up to RF, reverse (again!) into bay P3. 777 011 in P4 as we have a comfort break
0:12:31 - Obviously running through GL has to be included! pick up at BC, head under Mersey
0:17:30 - BIG MOMENT points indicate us approaching P2 at JS and heading onto the stock interchange line (part of original Mersey Railway route to LC from Wirral) 5MPH mandatory limit means its stop/start ( don't motors sound creepy at low speed!)
0:24:40 - Emerging into LC see ECS heading from K to NB before battery equipped 777/1 arrives from KY. We move into reversing siding
0:26:06 - Above ground, cross over at Leeds Street bank, head up to M for quick leg stretch then to OK (pick up 2 normals!)
0:34:34 - Quick mill around units at OK (destination board showing "The 508 Sunset" but not clear) Next to K, go round back of station and onto depot. Some 507/8s on here today, some days none.
0:38:21 - Next oddity is wall siding at HR, surely very rare!. Reverse back into HR then continue to F where have quick nip to front
0:46:02 - Arrive SP just after 1pm. TOILETS!. see what's hanging about, head to p end where photoshoot in progress. Next just catch MPV weedkiller unit, then try to clean windows! spot the thumb!
0:48:18. Depart SP , almost immediately stop, reverse into carriage sidings. Window cleaning attempt useless!
0:50:16 - Had to get the FY-HN-HR jointed track loveliness in!!!
0:53:39 - Back underground, wrong lining it through MS before crossing back over prior to arriving at LC. Passenger given quick tour of 141s back cab and a 6 car set arrives bound for SP. head out for a brisk run to HX
1:02:28 - "There it is" is referring to 323 208 which had arrived on AN the previous day from West Midlands. Wonder if it will be pressed into service whilst still in WMT livery?. next rarity is using P2 at HX
1:04:31 - Head back down stock interchange line (wait 40 years then do it twice in a day!) and get added driver commentary too. We head through JS and take on the Wirral
1:08:40 - Some nice motor thrash through CP then yet another rarity - the B stabling siding (originally through tracks linking NB and the W line). We pass back through B with some nice tones from the front
1:13:07 - Serious stir caused at WK, both 507 001 and 002 present in the station, whether by accident or design a huge highlight for the photographers.
1:13:55 - My own personal highlight. The guard was using the middle cab after WK so I was able to get some footage from a slightly different vantage point through the door. My jaw went slack when he saw me and invited me into to middle cab for a moment. FIRST TIME EVER. Thank you mate so much, truly the best moment of the day for me
1:16:59 - Run through outside platform at BN before reversing to head up to NB. After arrival 508 131 heads out to LC then arrowed up 507 017 seen arriving and departing too.
1:19:29 - Sunset has come and gone, if not for 508s just yet, carry on filming anyway. This movement took us into the sidings at NB, a "507/508" differences discussion is ongoing (lights going off/ticking being as technical as I get) and, more pressingly, how to get rid of all the Tuna sandwiches! ECS unit seen earlier in the day is next door
1:23:46 - Mega moment, onto (and into) BN Depot! 230s and 777s abound, but on next road are 508 112/ 137, yet to depart for scrap (bridge bash blocking access at SY being reason for delay) Our units next to go after these. 507 013 on other side and (confirmed by radio but not caught on here) "missing man" 507 003 awaiting apparently authorised repairs was on road in front of us (only 141 went into the depot building - 139 outside). How many highlights can you have on one trip!
1:27:49 - Run through HS for the first full trip round loop of day, stopping for first drop off at LS.
1:36:56 - Suitably confuse normal punters before heading off into tunnel through LC/JS non stop and last trip under the Mersey for next drop off at BC. ANOTHER run through of GL too. Sue me.
1:42:29 - Say farewell to the tour at HN. ticking starts at just right time as train heads off to CR concluding one of the most enjoyable days I can remember. Our MPV Weedkiller is present, and 507 028 heads northbound out of p2 having terminated here due to points problems at EP - not just BLS tours that do rare crossovers!

Пікірлер: 6

@TheSugarDaddy1 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Chris I have a hangover and am really enjoying watching this

@cjbirkett 8 ай бұрын

Cheers for the comment, hope the hangover goes away quickly!

@cjbirkett 8 ай бұрын

My first line of the intro was "If I get this description within 5000 characters it'll be a miracle". NO CHANCE. It was over 8000!!! I've had to severely prune even the timestamp listing and use many abbreviations, which I really hate, but it was the only way I could get within the limit. Anyway, what was experienced was a simply sublime day touring the Merseyrail network with a charity railtour organised by the BLS. Over £11000 raised for local good causes at the present time. So much good will shown by the Merseyrail team and many volunteers, it really was the best of days, the smile will stay on my face for a very long time. Although the 508s will be in service until the end of December (and indeed whilst these two units are the next in line for withdrawal, they'll remain available for use until about 8th November) and the 507s hopefully well into 2024, this was everyones chance to say farewell and thankyou to these stalwarts of the Merseyside scene for over 4 decades. Although the new trains are being introduced in bigger numbers, and whilst progress is necessery and inevitable, it will be a very, very sad day when the (by now) unique set of sights and sounds these units offer is not available. Whilst welcoming "Modernity" we must surely celebrate what service these trains have given to Merseyside, the true "2nd Generation" EMUS will die when these trains depart - although its a toss up between whether the 507s or the reclaimed ex 508 cars in the 455/7s with South Western Railway will be the absolute last of the PEP derived stock on the network. Anyway, 508 139 and 141 (suitably grimy!) are our steeds for this mega mix of wrong platforms, rare sidings, crossovers and even depot visits. With some jointed track loveliness thrown in as well and obviously with it being 508s - LOTS OF LOVELY TICKING!!!! HUGE KUDOS, THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO ALL INVOLVED WITH THIS TOUR. SIMPLY AMAZING Station abbreviations (in the order they first appear in the text) HN - Hooton SP - Southport CR - Chester LC - Liverpool Central EP - Ellesmere Port RF - Rock Ferry GL - Green Lane BC - Birkenhead Central HS - Hamilton Square JS - James Street K - Kirkdale NB - New Brighton KY - Kirkby M - Maghull OK - Ormskirk HR - Hall Road F - Freshfield FY - Formby HN - Hightown MS - Moorfields HX - Hunts Cross AN - Allerton CP - Conway Park B - Bidston W - Wrexham WK - West Kirby BN - Birkenhead North SY - Shrewsbury LS - Lime Street

@Jakeso Ай бұрын

1:42:39 Ignore me awkwardly bimbling past you there! 🤣

@cjbirkett Ай бұрын

All part of the fun of the day i think! It was a very enjoyable occasion to be part of so hope you had a good time too! Maybe we'll bimble past each other when the 507 tour runs!

@cannadineboxill-harris2983 6 ай бұрын

I needed to know why they don’t dig a tunnel and do an extension for the main line Train so that they can extend the unused abandoned underground train stations. Why couldn’t they use the part D78 Stock train doors on the sides and also restructure the front face of the A60 and A62 stock and include the class 313, class 314 and class 315 remix and make them all together and also redesign them an overhead line and also make them into Five cars per units and also having three Disabled Toilets on those Five cars per units A60 and A62 stock trains and also convert the A60 and A62 stock trains into a Scania N112, Volvo B10M, Gardner 6LXB, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 8LXB Diesel Engines and also put the Loud 7-Speed Voith Gearboxes even Loud 8-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Gearboxes in the A60 and A62 stock, class 313, class 314, and class 315 and also modernise the A60 and A62 stock and make it into an 11 car per unit so it could have fewer doors, more tables, computers and mobile phone chargers. A Stock Trains and also having 8 Disabled Toilets on those A stock trains. why couldn’t we refurbish and modernise the Waterloo and city line Triple-Track train tunnel and make it more Larger and extend it to the bank station, making it into a Triple-Track Railway Line so those Five countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden to convert the waterloo and city line Triple-Track Railway tunnel into a High-Speed Railway lines? The Third Euro tunnel Triple-Track Railway line to make it 11 times better for passengers so they could go from A to B. Then put the modernised 11 car per unit A Stock and put them on a bigger modernised Waterloo and city line Triple-Track train tunnel so it could go to bank station to those Five countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden. The modernised refurbished 11 cars per unit A stock could be a High Speed The Third Triple-Track Euro Tunnel Train So it is promising and 47 times a lot more possible to do this kind of project if that will be OK for London Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden. oh by the way, could they also tunnel the Triple-Track Railway Line so it will stop from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex so that the Passengers will go to Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden and also extend the Triple-Track Railway Line from the Bank to Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex Stations so that more people from there could go to Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden more Easily. Why couldn't they extend the Piccadilly Line and also build brand-new underground train stations so it could go even further right up to Clapton, Wood Street can they also make another brand new underground train station in Chingford and could they extend the Piccadilly Line and the DLR right up to Chingford? All of the classes 150, 155, 154, 117, 114, 105, and 106, will be replaced by all of the Scania N112, Volvo B10M, Gardner 6LXB, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 8LXB Diesel Five carriages three disabled toilets are air conditioning trains including Highams Park for extended roots which is the Piccadilly line and the DLR trains. Could you also convert all of the 1973 stock trains into an air-conditioned maximum speed 78 km/hours (48 MPH) re-refurbished and make it into a 8 cars per unit if that will be alright, and also extend all of the Piccadilly train stations to make more space for all of the extended 8 car per unit 1973 stock air condition trains and can you also build another Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive Companies and can they order Every 67 Octagon and Every 37 Hexagon shape LNER diagram unique small no.13 and unique small no.11 Boilers from those Countries such as Greece, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, can they make Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive speeds by up to 147MPH so you can try and test it on the Original Mainline so it will be much more safer for the Passengers to enjoy the 147MPH speed Limit only for HS2 and Channel Tunnel mainline services, if they needed 16 Carriages Per units, can they use those class 55’s, class 44’s, class 40’s and class 43HST Diesel Locomotive’s right at the Back of those 18 Carriages Per Units so they can take over at the Back to let those Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive’s have a rest for those interesting Journeys Please!!!!!!, oh can you make all of those Coal Boxes’s 18 Tonnes for all of those 147MPH Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive’s so the Companies will Understand us PASSENGER’S!! so please make sure that the Builders can do as they are told!!!!! And Please do something about these very very important Professional ideas Please? Prime Minister of England, Prime Minister of Australia, Prime Minister of Sweden, Prime Minister of Germany, Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Minister of Poland and that Includes the Mayor of London.