The Class 507 fleet was introduced to the Liverpool Region in 1978, coinciding with the rebranding of inner suburban electric services around Liverpool to Merseyrail. Class 508s were introduced to the region later during 1984, following their withdrawal from inner suburban services out of London Waterloo as new Class 455s were introduced. Originally, Class 507s worked Northern Line services to Southport, Kirkby and Ormskirk, while the Class 508s would work Wirral line services to West Kirby and New Brighton, as well as later Chester and Ellesmere Port. Both Classes however were interchangeable, and by privatisation both classes were used on both routes. 

During privitsation the Class 508s would see further use in the South of England with Silverlink, later London Overground, and Connex South Eastern, later just Southeastern, leasing a number of units at various points between 1996 and 2013 to increase their fleet sizes to meet growing demand. It was reported that a number of these units would return to Merseyside to create additional capacity, however most were scrapped following withdrawal instead. The Merseyrail Class 507 and 508 fleets meanwhile underwent a considerable refurbishment during the mid 2000s, being fitted with new seating, CCTV and dot matrix displays, as well as new LED headlights based on the Electrostar.

By the 2010s the Merseyrail fleet was considered life expired, however multiple delays in the procurement process, build process and introduction of the new trains meant the date for 507 and 508 withdrawals slipped all the way to 2024. 507001 was returned to it’s original Merseyrail BR Blue Grey livery in 2023 as withdrawals of both class 507s and 508s began to pick up pace. The entire Class 508 were withdrawn in January of 2024, with the Class 507 fleet following by the November. 507001 operated a pair of farewell tours however, the first operating over the Wirral line and the second operating over the Northern line. Although 507001 has now been withdrawn by Merseyrail, the Class 507 Preservation Society have taken on the complete unit for further preservation.

The Class 507 Preservation Society have confirmed that Class 507 507001 will be attending ‘The Greatest Gathering’ in August, as of April this train is already on site at the Alstom Derby works.

(1) Merseyrail 507016 approaching Liverpool South Parkway. (2) 507001 and Merseyrail 507017 at New Brighton. (3) Merseyrail 507029 at Hamilton Square. (4) Yellow and White DMSO 64649 (Ex 508201) at the East Kent Railway.  (5) 507001 at Southport, during the second farewell tour.

Additional information on the Class 507 and 508

Motion History: Silent Workhorses - The British Rail 1972 PEP Units

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfynlUtRYxo&pp

Class 507 preservation society

https://www.class507.org.uk/