British Rail Class 507

The Class 507 is a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) train built by British Rail Engineering Limited at York Works in two batches from 1978 to 1980. They were the second variety of British Rail's standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs derived from PEP stock, which eventually encompassed 755 vehicles and five Classes (Class 313/314/315/507/508). The 507s were the first variant to be 750 V DC third rail only. They have worked on the Merseyrail network from new, and continue to do so, having been refurbished by Alstom's Eastleigh Works.

History

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^[4] 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,^[5] with the first test run taking place on 9 October 1978.^[5]

On 25 October 1978, a Royal Special involving units 507001 and 507002 conveyed HM 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.^[6] The first passenger working occurred on 1 November 1978 with 507001 working the 0739 Southport-Liverpool Central with a commemorative headboard.^[5] It worked between Liverpool and Southport for the remainder of the day, while 507002 operated between Liverpool and Ormskirk. Further 507s steadily entered service and the 502s were in turn withdrawn. By mid 1980, Northern Line services were entirely in the hands of the 507s, and all of the sets were in service by October 1980.^[5]

Following privatisation, the 507s were used interchangeably between both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line, working a further four routes regularly. A host of new liveries appeared following sectorisation of British Rail. The remaining 32 units were refurbished by Alstom Eastleigh during 2002-2005. They received a new interiors, CCTV, light clusters and dot matrix displays.^[7] Unit 507033 was the last Merseyside set to be refurbished, entering service having been named "Cllr George Howard" in August 2005.

Incidents

507022 was written off as a result of a serious collision with 507004 at Kirkdale TMD in 1991. Driving motor 64388 is now in 507004, as the latter's was damaged beyond repair, and the other motor carriage, renumbered, is in Glasgow-based 314203. To date, this is the only withdrawn Class 507 set.

Two other collisions at Kirkdale depot have resulted in Class 507s formed as hybrid sets. In 1982, 507011 and 507027 were severely damaged (one leading car each); carriage 64415 from 507011 was attached to the rest of 507027 as a result. The second occurred in 1987, involving 507010 and 507014. Again, driving carriages of both were damaged to the extent a hybrid set was temporarily formed.

An arson attack at Rock Ferry in 2001 caused a third hybrid set to occur. Sets 507023 and 508130 had different carriages damaged by fire and had to be repaired, leaving the remaining coaches to be formed while repairs took place.

Collisions with buffer stops at terminal stations have also occurred. Sets 507029 and 507032 both received damage due to overrunning at Kirkby in 1991 and 1997 respectively. Set 507019 was involved in a collision at West Kirby on 11 January 2007^[8] and carriage 64423 had to be sent to Crewe Works for repair.

On 30 June 2009 unit 507002 without a driver rolled out of Kirkdale TMD, derailing at a set of points further down.^[9][10] The incident, which caused disruption to many services, was caused by failure to apply the brakes ^[11] whilst maintenance was performed so that when isolating wooden paddles were removed from between the conductor rail and pick-up shoes, the train moved off without a driver on board. On 23 May 2011, it was announced by the Office of Rail Regulation that Merseyrail were fined £85,000 and ordered to pay legal costs of £20,970.15 due to the breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 leading to this incident.^[12][13][14]

Description

507s are formed of three cars, and numbered 507001 to 507033. Original plans were drawn up for 47; later 38 507s 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. Car numbering is as follows:

• 64367-64399 - DMSO (Driving Motor Second Open)
• 71342-71374 - TSO (Trailer Second Open)
• 64405-64437 - BDMSO (Battery Driving Motor Second Open)

Originally, each 3-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 507s (and 508s) replaced LMS-designed Class 502 EMUs on the Northern Line and Class 503 EMUs on the Wirral Line.

Current operations

From new, all 507s have worked the Merseyrail network. Sets have been used interchangeably between the Northern Line and the Wirral Line since 1997, so work the following:

Northern Line

• Southport–Hunts Cross line
• Ormskirk line
• Kirkby line

Wirral Line

• New Brighton line
• West Kirby line
• Chester line
• Ellesmere Port line

Fleet details

Liveries

507004 and 507011 in BR blue and grey with Merseyrail logo, seen at Freshfield in 1986.

507s have appeared in various colours over their lifetimes.

• BR Blue and Grey (1978–1994): the initial livery lasted until well into their careers on Merseyside. The units also carried the MPTE 69 logo and Merseyrail branding on the driver's side of the outer ends of the driving vehicles.
• Merseyrail Original (1993–2001; repaints 2001–2004): yellow with white around the windows and black and grey stripes, exclusive to Merseyside EMUs.
• Merseyrail Revised (1999–2004): a lighter yellow, and no black stripe.
• Merseyrail Refurbished (2003–2015): silver, with vertical curved yellow stripes receding from the cab ends. The passenger doors were all yellow, introduced as a safety measure by Merseyrail. 'M' branding on the front ends and on the sides, and a Merseyrail vinyl. The vinyl was purchased without graffiti protection, and so it does not wear well if vandalised. Several sets ran with their 'M' logos missing or worn away.
• Merseyrail Capital of Culture (2008–2009): based around the Merseyrail Refurbished livery, with overlain graphics. Photographs depicted focus on some of the weird and wonderful innovations from Liverpool, such as the SuperLambBanana. The colourful liveries met with mixed reactions from travellers. It was most often on the Southport – Hunts Cross line. Passenger doors carry diagonal safety stripes.^[15][16]

507002 at Old Roan in 2013, sporting the Hope University livery.

• Merseyrail Hope University (October 2012 –): pale background with text and graphics, advertising Liverpool Hope University.^[17] The passenger doors are all yellow, as a safety measure which was introduced, previously, by Merseyrail. The livery is applied as a vinyl skin.^[18] This livery is unique to unit number 507002.
• Merseyrail Good Communications (January 2014 –): six different designs, half with a yellow background, and half with a brushed metal background.^[19] Both sides have lifestyle text, in a rounded font, and graphics along a lower railway map-type stubbed stripe. The passenger doors are white, on the yellow coaches, and yellow on the brushed metal coaches. There is Merseyrail 'M' branding on each of the passenger doors, as well as on the cab fronts. The livery is applied as a vinyl skin.^[20][21]

Plans for replacement

It was expected by Merseyrail that the 507s and 508s would be withdrawn around 2014 and replaced by a new EMU, but this has been postponed following the latest refurbishment. On 14 May 2012, Merseytravel announced that it had formally begun a project for replacement of the 507s and 508s, with new trains to be expected by 2017.^[22]

Merseytravel is considering several options to modernise the Merseyrail rolling stock by the end of the decade. This includes new stock or an extensive re-working of the existing Class 507s and 508s.^[23] The lease on the Class 507s and 508s has been extended to 2018. As part of the agreement with Angel Trains, the fleet will receive a refresh package including external re-livery, internal enhancements and engineering work.^[24]

On 11 January 2016 Merseytravel announced the short list of companies bidding to build new trains which will replace the Class 507 and Class 508s on the Merseyrail network. Merseyrail expect to announce the winner before the end of 2016.^[25]

Naming

Named units are as follows:^[26][27]

• 507004 - Bob Paisley
• 507008 - Harold Wilson^[28]
• 507009 - Dixie Dean
• 507016 - Merseyrail - celebrating the first ten years 2003-2013^[29]
• 507020 - John Peel^[30]
• 507021 - Red Rum
• 507023 - Operations Inspector Stuart Mason
• 507026 - Councillor George Howard
• 507033 - Cllr George Howard (Denamed)
• 507033 - Councillor Jack Spriggs

See also

• Class 508
• Merseyrail

References

Sources

• Fox, Peter (1994). Electric Multiple Units. British Railways Pocket Book No.4 (7th ed.). Platform 5. pp. 85–86. ISBN 9781872524603. 
• Marsden, Colin J. (2008). The DC Electrics. Ian Allan. ISBN 9780860936152. OCLC 318668763. 
• Maund, T.B. (2001). Merseyrail Electrics: The Inside Story. NBC Books. OCLC 655126526. 

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 507.

• Hilbert, Martyn (2016). Merseyrail Electric. Fonthill Media. ISBN 9781781555132.