Coming and Going
Back in early January 2019, I joined NIGHTSHIFTWORKER on a very enjoyable impromptu tour of the Northwest one evening. The aim was to capture some night shots of some of the multiple units that have unfalteringly served the region - and British public - for many years but are now facing the end of the line. The tour took in Preston and Southport with Class 142 "Pacers" and the Merseyrail Class 507/508s being the main targets. Class 319s also put in a guest appearance.
Merseyrail Class 508, 508 141 prepares to depart Southport with the 2U64 21:28 Southport to Hunts Cross service. As expected on a suburban network the turnaround time for these units is relatively short, with this unit being formed after a brief wait from the incoming 2S58 20:06 Hunts Cross to Southport working.
In the station for a similarly short spell, 508 143 had just arrived with the 2S59 20:21 Hunts Cross to Southport service. It would then work 2U65 21:43 Southport to Hunts Cross.
The Class 508 EMUs were built in York between 1979 and 1980 and it was intended that they would work on the Merseyrail network from new. However, stock shortages in the Southern Region meant they were diverted down South to work out of Wimbledon depot and did not move to Merseyside until 1982-1984. They were originally built as four-car units, but the sets moved to the Northwest were reduced to three-car, as the Merseyrail network is designed to deal with six-car trains as a maximum.
At 40 years old, the 508s are some of the oldest units left in service and are to be replaced by the new Class 777 due to enter service in 2020-21.
Coming and Going
Back in early January 2019, I joined NIGHTSHIFTWORKER on a very enjoyable impromptu tour of the Northwest one evening. The aim was to capture some night shots of some of the multiple units that have unfalteringly served the region - and British public - for many years but are now facing the end of the line. The tour took in Preston and Southport with Class 142 "Pacers" and the Merseyrail Class 507/508s being the main targets. Class 319s also put in a guest appearance.
Merseyrail Class 508, 508 141 prepares to depart Southport with the 2U64 21:28 Southport to Hunts Cross service. As expected on a suburban network the turnaround time for these units is relatively short, with this unit being formed after a brief wait from the incoming 2S58 20:06 Hunts Cross to Southport working.
In the station for a similarly short spell, 508 143 had just arrived with the 2S59 20:21 Hunts Cross to Southport service. It would then work 2U65 21:43 Southport to Hunts Cross.
The Class 508 EMUs were built in York between 1979 and 1980 and it was intended that they would work on the Merseyrail network from new. However, stock shortages in the Southern Region meant they were diverted down South to work out of Wimbledon depot and did not move to Merseyside until 1982-1984. They were originally built as four-car units, but the sets moved to the Northwest were reduced to three-car, as the Merseyrail network is designed to deal with six-car trains as a maximum.
At 40 years old, the 508s are some of the oldest units left in service and are to be replaced by the new Class 777 due to enter service in 2020-21.