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Class 507 (BREL York Suburban Services 3-car)

These units, part of the 1972 Standard Design High Density Stock family, were built to replace the life-expired Class 502 in the late 1970s on the Merseyside third-rail DC electrified network [1]. They are very similar to the Class 313 and 508 (with whom they share duties on Merseyrail) [2].

Merseyrail 507 002 arrives at Rice Lane
Information
Number built: 99 (33 3-car sets)
Built: 1978-80
Builder: BREL York
Motor: 8 GEC G310AZ traction motors (750v DC third rail)
Power: 880 hp (657 kW)
Formation: Battery Driving Motor Second Open (BDMSO)+
Trailer Second Open (TSO)+Driving Motor Second Open (DMSO)

The Class 507s as built could carry two hundred and thirty passengers in a 2+3 seat arrangement but since refurbishment at Eastleigh in the early 2000s that has been changed to a less sardine can like lower density 2+2 arrangement, seating was reduced to one hundred and eighty six [3]. The change was warmly welcomed by passengers.


The 507s were delivered in British Rail blue and grey but in latter years have adopted the predominantly yellow livery of Merseyrail. The Class 507s (and 508s) are due to be replaced by the new Class 777 EMU in the early 2020s [4].
507 021 at Liverpool Lime Street Low Level


507 017 at Hoylake

507 024 at Waterloo

507 019 departs Cressington

507 016 at Orrell Park


[1] Jonathan Cadwaller & Martin Jenkins, Merseyside Electrics (Ian Allan, 2010) p. 23
[2] Brian Haresnape & Alec Swain, Third Rail DC Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1989) p. 73
[3] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 386
[4] "Five shortlisted for new Merseyrail trains", Today's Railways UK No. 171 (March 2016)