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British Rail Class 507

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British Rail Class 507
Merseyrail Class 507 at Bidston in 2023
The interior of a refurbished Class 507 unit
In service1 November 1978 – Present
ManufacturerBritish Rail Engineering Limited
Order no.
  • 30906 (BDMSO vehicles)
  • 30907 (TSO vehicles)
  • 30908 (DMSO vehicles)[1]
Built atHolgate Road Works, York
Family nameBREL 1972
Replaced
Constructed1978–1980[1]
Refurbished2002–2005 at Alstom Eastleigh
Scrapped2023–present
Number built33
Number in service4
Number scrapped27
SuccessorClass 777
Formation
  • 3 cars per unit:
  • BDMSO-TSO-DMSO[1]
Diagram
  • BDMSO vehicles: EI202
  • TSO vehicles: EH205
  • DMSO vehicles: EA201[1]
Fleet numbers507001–507033[1]
Capacity
  • As built: 234 seats
  • As modified: 222 seats
  • As refurbished: 192 seats
OwnersAngel Trains[2]
OperatorsMerseyrail
Depots
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel underframe and body frame, aluminium body and roof
Car length
  • DM vehs.: 19.800 m (64 ft 11.5 in)
  • Trailers: 19.920 m (65 ft 4.3 in)
Width
  • Over Body: 2.820 m (9 ft 3.0 in)
  • Over Tread plates: 3.023 m (9 ft 11.0 in)[1]
Height3.582 m (11 ft 9.0 in)
Floor height1.146 m (3 ft 9.1 in)
DoorsDouble-leaf pocket sliding, each 1.288 m (4 ft 2.7 in) wide (2 per side per car)
WheelbaseOver bogie centres:
14.170 m (46 ft 5.9 in)
Maximum speed75 mph (120 km/h)
Weight
  • BDMSO vehs.: 37.06 t (36.47 LT; 40.85 ST)
  • TSO vehs.: 25.60 t (25.20 LT; 28.22 ST)
  • DMSO vehs.: 35.62 t (35.06 LT; 39.26 ST)[1]
Traction motors8 × GEC G310AZ
(82 kW (110 hp) each, 4 per motor car)
Power output656 kW (880 hp)
HVACElectric heating (ducted warm air)
Electric system(s)600–750 V DC third rail[1]
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
BogiesBREL BX1[1]
Minimum turning radius70.4 m (231 ft 0 in)
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and rheostatic[1]
Safety system(s)
Coupling system
  • Tightlockfor coupling to other units
  • Bar Coupling for in-between vehicles on a unit
Multiple workingWithin class, and with Class 508
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Specifications as at August 1982[4] except where otherwise noted.

The British Rail Class 507 is a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited at Holgate Road carriage works in two batches from 1978 to 1980. They are a variant of British Rail's standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs derived from PEP stock, which eventually encompassed 755 vehicles over five classes (313, 314, 315, 507 and 508).[5] They have worked on the Merseyrail network from new until their retirement in November 2024. Between 2002 and 2005, all units were refurbished by Alstom's Eastleigh Works.

The remaining Class 507 units are all now at least 44 years old, and, following the withdrawal of the Class 313 fleet in 2023, were the oldest units operating on the mainline rail network in Great Britain.[6] However, the even older 1972 Stock and 1973 Stock are still in service on London Underground's Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines.

A final farewell tour took place on 3 November 2024. Units are being withdrawn and scrapped, but as of November 2024, four remain in service.

History

[edit]

With the Class 502 units life-expired, unable to cope with the demands of the new Link tunnel and approaching 40 years old, by 1977 a replacement was sought. Owing to the success of the Class 313 fleet on suburban services from King's Cross, four sets were temporarily transferred to Merseyside and based at Hall Road TMD. Sets 313013/063[7] were used for clearance trials on the Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby-Garston lines. The results showed that a similar type of stock would be suitable for the Merseyrail Northern line.

Initially, 47 sets were ordered (507001–507047) but cost issues forced this number to be reduced to 38 units, then 30 by early 1978 when the first sets were under construction. Ultimately, 33 units were built between September 1978 and October 1979. The first set was delivered to Birkenhead North depot during September 1978,[8] with the first test run taking place on 9 October 1978.[8]

On 25 October 1978, a Royal Special involving units 507001 and 507002 conveyed The Queen and several other VIPs on a special service between Moorfields and Kirkby. Following the journey, she declared the new-look Merseyrail network officially open.[9] The first passenger working occurred on 1 November 1978, with unit 507001 working the 07:39 Southport-Liverpool Central with a commemorative headboard.[8] It worked between Liverpool and Southport for the remainder of the day, while unit 507002 operated between Liverpool and Ormskirk. Further Class 507 units steadily entered service and the Class 502 was, in turn, withdrawn. By mid-1980, Northern line services were entirely in the hands of the Class 507 and all of the sets were in service by October 1980.[8] A host of new liveries appeared following sectorisation of British Rail.

Following privatisation, the Class 507 units were used interchangeably between both the Northern line and the Wirral line, working a further four routes regularly. The remaining 32 units were refurbished by Alstom Eastleigh during 2002–2005. They received new interiors, CCTV, light clusters dot matrix displays and the 2+3 seating was replaced with 2+2 seats.[10] Unit 507033 was the last Merseyside set to be refurbished, entering service having been named Cllr George Howard in August 2005.[11][12]

The first of two Class 507 farewell tours took place on 15 September 2024. The second farewell tour took place on 3 November 2024.[13][14]

Description

[edit]

Class 507 units are formed of three cars, and numbered 507001 to 507033.[15] Original plans were drawn up for 47; later 38 Class 507 units to be built, but costs enforced a reduction in the number. Sets are made up of two driving motor cars ('A' DMSO with the compressor; 'B' BDMSO with the battery) and a trailer.

Originally, each three-car set seated 234 passengers, this figure being reduced to 222 following interior modifications during the 1990s. After the introduction of high back seats during refurbishment in 2004/2005 this was reduced to 192 with space for cyclists and disabled people improved.

The Class 507 (and 508) replaced LMS-designed Class 502 EMUs on the Northern line and Class 503 EMUs on the Wirral line.

Current operations

[edit]

From new, all Class 507 units have worked the Merseyrail network. Sets have been used interchangeably between the Northern line and the Wirral line since 1997. Since 2023 the class has slowly been withdrawn from service, being replaced by the Class 777.[13]

Replacement

[edit]

Merseyrail expected that the Class 507 and 508 units would be withdrawn around 2014 and replaced by a new EMU, but this was postponed following a refurbishment. In May 2012, Merseytravel announced that it had formally begun a project for replacement.[16] The fleet received a refresh package including external re-livery, internal enhancements and engineering work.[17]

In January 2016, Merseytravel announced the short list of companies bidding to build new trains which will replace the Class 507 and 508 on the Merseyrail network.[18] In December 2016, Merseytravel announced that Stadler had won the £460 million contract and that the new Class 777 trains would be delivered from summer 2019 with all the old trains replaced by 2021.[citation needed] The first unit entered service late in January 2023.[19]

Preservation

[edit]

In March 2024, the Class 507 Preservation Society reached an agreement to preserve 507001[20] after the chairman of the society bought the unit for £1 from Angel Trains.[21] A crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to move the train by road to the Nant Mawr visitor centre at the Tanat Valley Light Railway was set up by the society in May 2024.[22]

A DMSO coach from 507028 has been placed in the new Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Training School at Aintree Fire Station.[23]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • Unit 507022 was written off as a result of a serious collision with unit 507004 at Kirkdale TMD on 30 September 1991.[24]
  • On 30 June 2009, unit 507002 ran away from Kirkdale TMD under power – but not under the control of a driver – and reached an estimated speed of 30 mph (48 km/h) before being derailed at a set of points that joined the depot to the main line.[25][26] Following the derailment, the train came to rest blocking the main line at a position where a passenger-carrying train had passed only seconds before.[27] The incident was caused by a failure by depot workers to apply to the train's brakes before isolating the train from the traction current supply when conducting diagnostic testing. When the isolation was subsequently removed, the train's traction supply was re-energised and it proceeded to move under its own power.[27] Merseyrail pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by failing to ensure that its workers met the required safety standards, and was ordered to pay a fine of £85,000 and legal costs of £20,970.15.[27][28][29]
  • On 13 March 2021, unit 507006 was the lead unit of a train that overran the buffer stop and derailed at Kirkby station. Twelve people sustained minor injuries and the unit was written-off.[30] The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found that the driver failed to apply the brakes at the appropriate time, due to being distracted.[31]

Fleet details

[edit]
Class Operator Status Qty. Year built Cars per unit Unit nos. Sources
507 Merseyrail In service 4 1978–1980 3 507001, 507003, 507023, 507029 [32]
Stored 2 507007, 507018 [32]
Non-railway use 2 Vehicles 507028[note 1] [33]
Scrapped 27 507002, 507004, 507005–507006, 507008–507017, 507020–507022, 507024–507028,[note 2] 507030–507033 [24][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][13]

Vehicle numbering

[edit]

Individual vehicles are numbered in the following ranges:[47]

BDMSO TSO DMSO
64367–64399 71342–71374 64405–64437

Liveries

[edit]

Class 507 units have appeared in a number of liveries:

  • British Rail blue and grey, 1978
  • Merseyrail – Capital of Culture, 2008–2009; four units with graphics overlaid on the Merseyrail refurbished livery.[48]
  • Merseyrail – Good Communications, January 2014 onwards; six different designs on a mix of yellow and grey backgrounds.[49][50]
  • Merseyrail – Liverpool Hope University, circa 2010[citation needed]- 2024 applied to unit 507002 as promotion for Liverpool Hope University.[51]
  • Merseyrail – Heritage (BR Blue and Grey), 2023 onwards; applied to unit 507001 to celebrate 45 years of passenger service.[52]
Class 507 liveries
  • Class 507 in BR blue with Merseyrail logos, 1986
    Class 507 in BR blue with Merseyrail logos, 1986
  • Original Merseyrail livery in 2005
    Original Merseyrail livery in 2005
  • Merseyrail refurbished livery in 2012
    Merseyrail refurbished livery in 2012
  • Good Communications grey variant in 2015
    Good Communications grey variant in 2015
  • Good Communications yellow variant in 2015
    Good Communications yellow variant in 2015
  • Liverpool Hope University livery in 2013
    Liverpool Hope University livery in 2013
  • Heritage BR Blue and Grey livery in 2024
    Heritage BR Blue and Grey livery in 2024

Named units

[edit]

Named units were as follows:

  • 507008 – Harold Wilson[53] (Scrapped)
  • 507009 – Dixie Dean (Scrapped)[54]
  • 507016 – Merseyrail – celebrating the first ten years 2003–2013[55] (Scrapped)
  • 507020 – John Peel[56] (Scrapped)
  • 507023 – Operations Inspector Stuart Mason[57]
  • 507026 – Councillor George Howard[58] (Scrapped)
  • 507033 – Councillor Jack Spriggs[59] (Scrapped)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ vehicles 64432 and 71369.[33]
  2. ^ 1 vehicle of 507028 only.[33]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fox, Peter (1994). British Railways Pocket Book No. 4: Electric Multiple Units (7th ed.). Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-1-872524-60-3. OCLC 655645349.
  2. ^ Sherratt, Philip, ed. (2023). "ROSCO Fleets". Modern Railways: Review 2023. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-1-80282-569-5.
  3. ^ Marsden, C. J. (2008). The DC Electrics. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-86093-615-2. OCLC 318668763.
  4. ^ Vehicle Diagram Book No. 210 for Electric Multiple Units (including A.P.T.) (PDF). Derby: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Department, British Railways Board. August 1982. EA201, EH205, EI202 (in work pp. 10–11, 272–273, 388–389). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2023 – via Barrowmore MRG.
  5. ^ "The twilight zone". Railways Illustrated. No. 249. November 2023. pp. 50–53.
  6. ^ "Inaugural meeting held by the Class 507 Preservation Society". Heritage News. Railways Illustrated. No. 252. February 2024. p. 33.
  7. ^ Today's Railways UK. No. 123. March 2012. ISSN 1750-6905. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d Maund, T. B. (2001). Merseyrail Electrics: The Inside Story. NBC Books. p. 82. OCLC 655126526.
  9. ^ Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive and British Rail (December 1978). The Story of Merseyrail. OCLC 8740619.
  10. ^ "Merseyrail train refurbishment". Railway Gazette International. 1 October 2002. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Merseyrail 507/508 refurbishment complete". Entrain. No. 45. September 2005. p. 57.
  12. ^ "Final 507 for Merseyrail". Rail Magazine. No. 520. 17 August 2005. p. 46.
  13. ^ a b c Milner, Chris (October 2024). "Second Class 507 farewell tour planned". Railtours. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1483. p. 80.
  14. ^ Haygarth, Dan (3 November 2024). "End of an era for Merseyrail as old trains take their final journeys". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Class 507/8 – Angel Trains". angeltrains.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Merseytravel signals go ahead for new trains". Merseytravel. 14 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  17. ^ Hodgson, Neil (1 May 2014). "Best Merseyrail service for two years". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Merseyrail trains bidder shortlist announced". Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  19. ^ Kirwin, Ellen; Thorp, Liam (23 January 2023). "Live updates as first new Merseyrail train finally welcomes passengers". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Liverpool Class 507 which carried Elizabeth II is saved". Heritage Railway. No. 318. 12 April 2024. p. 14.
  21. ^ "Man buys 1970s train for £1 to save it from scrap". BBC News. BBC. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Class 507 Crowdfunder launched". Class 507 Preservation Society. 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  23. ^ Taylor, M.; Oakford, G.; Appleton, D.; Fielding, J. (23 April 2022). "Fire Prevention Targeting by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in UK". Fire Technology. 58 (4): 1827–1837. doi:10.1007/s10694-022-01249-8. ISSN 0015-2684.
  24. ^ a b "Steve Knight reviews the latest Merseyrail stock news". Rail Magazine. No. 160. 30 October 1991. p. 9.
  25. ^ "Runaway train rolls out of Depot". BBC News. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  26. ^ "Railway commuter train derails in 'handbrake' accident". Liverpool Echo. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  27. ^ a b c "Merseyrail operator fined £85,000 for runaway train incident". Office of Rail Regulation. 23 May 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  28. ^ Rossington, Ben (24 May 2011). "Runaway train costs Merseyrail £100,000 after company admits safety breaches which nearly led to disaster". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  29. ^ Tuplin, Richard; Morrison, Brian (30 May 2011). "Merseyrail Electrics fined over H&S issues" (PDF). Railway Herald. No. 269. p. 4. ISSN 1751-8091. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  30. ^ Traynor, Luke (13 March 2021). "Train driver taken to hospital after derailment at Kirkby station". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  31. ^ Rail Accident Report 07/2022: Buffer stop collision at Kirkby, Merseyside, 13 March 2021 (PDF). Derby: Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Department for Transport. August 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  32. ^ a b Russell, David (January 2025). "Class 507". Units. Rail Express. No. 344. p. 26.
  33. ^ a b c d "Merseyrail Class 507s down to single figures as Stadler 777 takeover approaches final phase". News. Railways Illustrated. No. 257. July 2024. p. 14.
  34. ^ Pritchard, Robert (June 2024). "Merseyrail 507 run down continues". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK. No. 268. p. 62.
  35. ^ Russell, David (May 2024). "Class 507". Units. Rail Express. No. 336. p. 25.
  36. ^ "Merseyrail Class 507s head for scrap... '777s' into store". Network News. Rail Magazine. No. 1003. 21 February 2024. p. 25.
  37. ^ "Final road trip". Rail Express. No. 306. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. November 2021. p. 11.
  38. ^ "Merseyrail Class 777s expand operations". Rail Express. No. 329. October 2023. p. 20.
  39. ^ "Stock Update". The Railway Magazine. No. 1467. June 2023. p. 93.
  40. ^ "Stock Update". The Railway Magazine. No. September 2023. p. 97.
  41. ^ "Merseyrail stock taken for scrap". Rail Magazine. No. 988. 26 July 2023. p. 9.
  42. ^ Russell, David (May 2023). "Class 508". Units. Rail Express. No. 324. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 21. ISSN 1362-234X.
  43. ^ Bendall, S.; Coward, A. (July 2023). "Class 507". Unit Focus. Railways Illustrated. No. 245. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 20. ISSN 1479-2230.
  44. ^ Butlin, Ashley (March 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1467. p. 89.
  45. ^ Butlin, Ashley (April 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1477. p. 83.
  46. ^ Butlin, Ashley (June 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1479. p. 97.
  47. ^ Marsden, C. J. (2007). Traction Recognition. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-7110-3277-4. OCLC 230804946. OL 16902750M.
  48. ^ "Trains take fast track to Capital of Culture". Wirral Globe. 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  49. ^ "New Look Trains". Merseyrail. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  50. ^ "Good Communications designs new-look Merseyrail trains". Prolific North. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  51. ^ Beardsley, Ian; Pritchard, Robert (May 2024). "Two more 507s for disposal". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK. No. 267. p. 63.
  52. ^ White, Chloe (1 December 2023). "Merseyrail reveals celebratory heritage livery wrap for Class 507001". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  53. ^ "Train named in honour of Harold Wilson". Merseytravel. 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  54. ^ "STOCK CHANGES". Today's Railways UK. No. 260. October 2023. p. 63.
  55. ^ "Merseyrail in talks over brand new train fleet". Liverpool Confidential. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  56. ^ Bendall, Simon; Coward, Andy (1 June 2024). "Naming Update". Fleet Review. Railways Illustrated. No. 256. p. 25.
  57. ^ Bartlett, David (2 May 2013). "Merseyrail railway man Stuart Mason to have train named in his honour". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  58. ^ "Naming Update". Railways Illustrated. No. 249. November 2023. p. 25.
  59. ^ Bendall, Simon; Coward, Andy (August 2024). "Naming Update". News. Railways Illustrated. No. 258. p. 20.

Further reading

[edit]
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