British Rail Class 508
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The British Rail Class 508 electric multiple units were built by BREL at York works in 1979-80. They were the fourth variety of BR's then-standard design for suburban EMUs, eventually emcompassing 811 vehicles and five classes (313/314/315/507/508). They have mostly worked on the Merseyrail network since 1983, and continue to do so, now refurbished by Alstom's Eastleigh Works.
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[edit] Description
The Class 508 EMUs were developed for Merseyside following extensive trials and testing of the 4Pep/2Pep stock built in the early 1970s. Testing of Class 313 stock took place in Merseyside, using 313003 and 313005. However, following planning and building, British Rail decided to divert the 508s to work alongside much older first-generation 4Sub EMUs in the London Waterloo area. Based at Strawberry Hill depot, they soon became very unpopular in the Southern region due to their being non-standard. Once a new build of Class 455 EMUs were complete, the 508s were slowly sent to their originally intended home on the Merseyrail network, to work alongside the already well-established fleet of Class 507 EMUs working there since 1978.
All 43 508s are now formed of three cars, although they were four-car sets on the Southern Region. When sent to Merseyside, one of the trailer cars was removed and incorporated into the 455/7 build of EMUs. Also the indiviual passenger door controls which had been a feature of these units were plated over before the units were sent north. Original plans were drawn up for 58 508s to be constructed, although costing issues limited the eventual number to 43. Carriage numbering is as follows:
- 64649-64691 - DMSO
- 71483-71525 - TSO
- 64692-64734 - BDMSO
[edit] Current operations
Merseyrail operate 27 508s, which are used interchangeably between the Northern Line and the Wirral Line.
Connex South Eastern leased 12 508s surplus to Merseyrail requirements (508101/105/106/107/109/113/116/119/121/129/132/133) in 1996, for operation on specific Kent services. This fleet is used due to lack of Networkers (465s), particularly on the Medway Valley Line and the Isle of Sheppey line. In September 2006 new operator Southeastern announced that a cascade of rolling stock would see Class 466s units replace the 508s on the Sheerness and Medway Valley lines in the December 2006 timetable. [1]
Silverlink leased three 508s from Angel Trains in 2003 for operation on the London Euston - Watford Junction line to assist its fleet of Class 313 EMUs.
For their respective operators, the 508s commonly work:
[edit] Merseyrail
- Southport - Hunts Cross line
- Ormskirk line
- Kirkby line
- New Brighton line
- West Kirby line
- Chester line
- Ellesmere Port line
[edit] Southeastern Trains
[edit] Silverlink
[edit] Fleet information
- Originally the 508s were numbered 508001 - 508043.
- When they moved to Merseyside, they were renumbered 508101-508143 to avoid confusion with the Class 507s.
- The current list of Merseyrail units is 508103/104/108/110-112/114/115/117/120/122-128/130/131/134/136-141/143
- Merseyrail 508s were refurbished in 2003-2004, the first unit to re-enter service being 508110. The final unit to leave for the works for refurbishment was formerly black-striped 508137.
- SET units were renumbered 508201-508212 when they were refurbished in 1996.
- Silverlink units were renumbered 508301-508303 when they were refurbished in 2003.
[edit] Liveries
508s have appeared in many colours over their lifetimes, more so than any EMU of similar type.
- BR Blue and Grey (1979-1994): the initial livery stood the test of time, lasting 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): the original yellow livery was exclusive to Merseyside EMUs; this was a yellow basecoat with white around the windows and black and grey stripes.
- Merseyrail Revised (1999-2004): a simple variation of the original Merseyrail livery - no black stripe, and a lighter base yellow.
- Merseyrail Refurbished (2003-): radically different to the others, it involves a silver basecoat, with addition of yellow stripes which resemble those of a tiger. Additional 'M' branding appears on the front ends and on the sides, as does a 'Merseyrail' vinyl. This does not wear well if vandalised, as several sets are running round the network with Ms missing.
- Connex Yellow and White (1996-2006): a white basecoat with some yellow effects down the sides.
- South Eastern Trains (2005-): the newest livery - a white background, with yellow and black side stripes. Unit 508208 was one of the first to receive this, in May 2005.
- Silverlink Metro (2004-): Silverlink's 508s' purple, green and silver livery was applied when they were modified in 2003.
[edit] Naming
In late 2004, to mark Liverpool's success in being named European Capital of Culture 2008, Merseyrail named 508136 'Capital of Culture'. This name was affixed using vinyl transfers as opposed to proper nameplates.
[edit] See also
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