Mersey News
Welcome to the Mersey News page! Here any news on trains, big site news and news about the Merseyside Rail Network will be posted. Thanks for having a look!
02/09/07: Site Updates:
Unfortunately, this week, I go back to school, and so that will take priority at the moment, so I apologise in advance for any lack of updates.
Shaun
24/07/07. On Holiday.
Hi all. I am going to be away from 28th July-4th August so no updates until at least the 5th August. However I've done Unit Of The Month earlier to allow for this!
Thanks, Shaun
15/07/07. Train Fire?
As seen on 507/8 gen site apparently there was a train on fire at Watrerloo yesterday. I cannot confirm this at the moment but the fire brigade was called at around 15:20.
21/05/07. New Timetable.
The timetable started yesterday and there were not many changes but some in the Wigan area and St Helens Central. The City Line will recieve a boost as some services will be 156 operated instead of 142 and peak time services eg: 07:18 Manchester-Liverpool will be 150+142 and 17:20 Liverpool-Blackpool 156+142 but today living right by the railway at Huyton some are still 142's although a Wigan Diagram was 156471 i think. Also the 17:20 to Blackpool was 156426(?) and 142051.
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01/05/07- Hello!
Hi I'm the new owner Shaun, I'm hoping to maintain the excellent standard of the previous owner. Thanks!
17/04/07 - An apology, and a goodbye
My apologies for the lack of updates recently, but this has been due to other things taking priority and so on. I'm also sorry to say that because I have other things I want to do and other projects I want to get going, this site is up for grabs. If your interested, please email explaining why you want to take over the site and then i'll award my username and password to the winner! Please get your emails to me Tuesday 1st May. Thanks for your support over the last (almost) 3 years and I want to leave the site in good hands for everyone to enjoy in the future. Thanks!
29/01/07 - New trains before 2015?
From icLiverpool. Its has been suggested that Merseyrail are to terminate the leasing contract for their current fleet of Class 507's and 508's in order to increase capacity on the network. The current 59 units currently aren't enough to run the whole and network and allow for maximum capacity, and Merseyrail fear there'll be no capacity left by 2009. This could also mean that extra units could be ordered to operate the proposed extension to Wrexham. Merseyrail are currently in talks with Angel Trains to come up with a sensible solution to the problem.
14/01/07 - Two Injured as Train Hits Buffers
On 11/01/07, the train which was due to form the 1206 to Liverpool Central hit the buffers at West Kirby. The unit, 507019, was travelling at 5mph when the collision happened. No passengers were hurt but the driver and guard were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital. The driver had supposidly 'blacked out' before the train hit the buffers. The unit moved ECS to Birkenhead North later that evening where the Rail Accident Investigation branch will carry out checks on the unit. Structural damage to West Kirby station wasn't too bad, but the station was cordened off partly due to the risk of the station roof collapsing. On collision, 019 demolished the buffers, a small brick wall, pulled up a pavement and had bent a pillar supporting the roof. Upon removal of the unit, the walkway between the booking hall and the car park collapsed and a wooden fence was torn down. The roof is now being supported by scaffolding. Repairs are expected to continue for a while, and investigation goes on.
17/12/06 - Christmas and New Year Updates
Due to Christmas coming up, the next update will take place sometime in the late evening on Christmas Eve or in the early hours of Christmas Day. The update after that will take place in the late evening New Years or early morning New Years Day.
03/12/06 - �1 Fare Deal
From today, �1 fares are available to and from any stations in Merseyside. This also includes Ormskirk, Chester and Ellesmere Port. �1 returns are also on sale on Thursday evenings after 1600.
19/11/06 - 158 Shifts
Arriva Trains Wales are to return 15 Class 158's to their leasing companies on December 31st. By then, Class 185's would have replaced 175's on Manchester Airport-Blackpool North/Barrow/Windermere services. The 175's will then retrun home to Wales. The 158's expected to go are the 7 ex-Central Trains units, the 4 ex-First Great Western units and 3 ex-Wales & Borders units (that still carry the silver and blue livery). The destinations for these units are unknown, though its expected that Central Trains will take their units back and First Great Western may also take some. It is doubted though that Northern will take any. Angel Trains, the owner of the units hasn't said where the units will go. Time will tell...
08/11/06 - West Midlands Franchise
Under plans by the DfT, there is to be major retimetabling on the services out of Liverpool currently operated by Central Trains and Silverlink in 2008. Trains between Liverpool-Norwich are to continue through to Norwich hourly, but will also call at Liverpool South Parkway, and will be increased to 4-car due to the overcrowding issue between Liverpool-Sheffield. This service will be operated by the East Midlands franchise, for which the bidders are Arriva, First Group, National Express and Stagecoach. The service between Liverpool-Birmingham New Street is to be increased to half hourly, up from the hourly frequency, and half hourly frequency every other hour. One train an hour will call at the key stations (Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Crewe, Stafford and Wolverhampton) and the other train calling at the same stations plus Hartford, Winsford and Penkridge. Some trains will also call at Acton Bridge. Rail replacement buses will continue to serve Norton Bridge. There is the possobility that the once daily Liverpool-London semi-fast service will be withdrawn, and there are currently plans for an hourly Crewe-London semi-fast service which will replace stops that are to be withdrawn from Virgin Trains services, such as Tamworth. The semi-fast services may connect with Birmingham-Liverpool services at Crewe, the cheapest way to maintain an easy link between Rugeley Trent Valley, Lichfield Trent Valley, Tamworth, Rugby and Liverpool. These changes would also mean that extra Class 350's would have to be ordered to run these services so the DfT and the owners of the present fleet would have to come to a decision son over the proposals.
22/10/06 - Town Meadow Down the Drain
The proposed station between Meols and Moreton on the West Kirby line has been scrapped, despite over 96% of residents in the Town Meadow Lane area supporting the construction of a station there. The station would have been located near a housing estate in Moreton that has no nearby station, the nearest being Meols, which is about 30minutes away on foot and a 5 minute drive. Currently, the estate has a 407 bus into Liverpool City Centre every 20 minutes, but with journey times of around 40 minutes, residents would like to see the propsed station built, which would almost halve journey times into the city centre. The station would also be much appreciated by the residents of Meols, who currently have to deal with drunks walking from Meols station to the Golden Beach Caravan Park in the evenings. Merseytravel wants to spend the �3m put towards the project on improving Liverpool City Centre, meaning the Wirral makes yet another loss. Wirral MP's are fighting for the station to be built, but untill then, the argument continues...
08/10/06 - Liverpool South Parkway cuts
From the beginning of the new West Midlands franchise, services between Liverpool South Parkway-Birmingham will be cut under new DfT plans. The only way the �32m station could keep the direct services to the West Midlands would be if Merseytravel re-negociates with whoever gets the franchise to keep the service. Councillors have complained about the DfT plans, which would mean Liverpool getting even more isolated from the rest of the network, but Manchester and London getting improved services. They also claimed that the new station was vital to the growth of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and would have serious affects if the service, currently operated by Central Trains, was to be axed. The changes would see the stops at Liverpool South Parkway discontinued, as well as affects at Acton Bridge, Hartford and Winsford, which may also see further service reductions. The new West Midlands franchise will start in November 2007, and the bidders are Govia, MTR (Hong Kong) and Serco NedRail.
17/09/06 - Normal updates resume
I apologise that there have been no updates for the last 3 weeks. This was due to my computer playing up and consequently being repaired. Anyway, normal service has resumed. Thankyou for your patience!
17/09/06 - Increasing Fares
From Monday 18th September, Merseytravel passes and Saveaways will increase in price. An adult single area pass rises to �2.40, and child single area pass rises to �1.80. An adult all zones pass will now cost �4.30 and a child all zone pass will cost �2.20.
17/09/06 - Mersey Trains Photo Gallery to go, or not?
No, the gallery isn't going, but it will be renamed to 'MT Railways' on Sunday 30th September 2006. As the gallery covers a much wider area than origionally expected, Mersey Trains 2006 Gallery will become MT Railways, with 'MT' meaning 'Mersey Trains'. A new logo and look for the gallery will be introduced. Also, in March 2007, northernrail.fotopic.net will receive a new look, with updated galleries and more photos from both past and present. None of this will effect the main Mersey Trains website.
06/08/06 - Pennines to Liverpool sooner than we thought!
First Transpennine Express are expected to introduce their Class 185 'Pennines' for use on services on North Transpennine routes out of Liverpool on Monday August 28th. The first scheduled 'Pennine' service is expected to be the 0618 Liverpool Lime Street-Newcastle. Its expected by December that all services between Liverpool and the North East will be using the new trains. From December 9th, these services will also call at Liverpool South Parkway. 51 units are being ordered for Transpennine Express, to be used on services in the north.
06/08/06 - No more loco hauled...for now
Loco hauled duties on the North Wales Coast ended on Tuesday 1st August when 57315 hauled the 1741 Manchester Piccadilly-Holyhead. This move comes after 175103 returned from Wolverton works after repair works. The unit returned to Chester depot with refurbished bogies and couplers. The return of 175103 means that Arriva now has enough units to cover its diagrams on the coast. However, the fleet may suffer shortages again in the near future and the Mk2's may return to Chester once more in the near future?
30/07/06 - Guestbook Closure
I am sorry to say I have had to close the guestbook due to an irrisposible person who has been posting offending and hurtful posts about me and my family. You know who you are! I am very greatful for all your past comments (well, almost all), and your still welcome to email me your comments if you wish. I advise the offender to stay away however.
30/07/06 - northernrail.fotopic.net
Due to the resticted space on the fotopic website, instead of constantly having to buy more quota, I will select the best photo of each unit and use that. This will also allow me include photos of the 323's and also the 321's and 333's (when I get that far east!). Every collection will contain one photo (the best out of my vast photo library), and any photos of the units in previouse liveries will be added. I hope you like the new system, which will be in place soon!
16/07/06 - Hoylake ready to tee off
Hoylake stations refurbishment has almost been completed. It has cost over �600,000 to refurbish the booking hall with new floors and a disabled accesable ticket counter which lowers when needed. On the platforms, the edging tiles has been replaced where needed, the platforms resurfaced, the West Kirby bound platform has been extended, the waiting shelter on the West Kirby platform has been redecorated, the platform benches have been rully restored to their origional condition, and the toilets on the Liverpool bound platform are almsot ready to reopen. The front of the station has also been refurbised with a lick of paint and new signs. Adverts have been hung on the fences on the platforms to hide the industrial areas from the passengers (this is only temporary) and a life size golfer made of plants has been put on display on the Liverpool bound platform. The Open Golf Championships start on Friday 21st, and continues right through to Monday 24th. The practise rounds started today.
11/06/06 - Mersey Trains returns
Well its been two weeks since the last update, and I do have to admit I've had some problems with the Mersey Stations page which has slowed down the process of the rebuild, but this will be completed before next Sunday. Otherwise, everything else is done that I said would be done! I just hope you like some of the adjustments. Any comments are welcome!
11/06/06 - Liverpool South Parkway
The new station opened this morning, and I have to say it looks good! Pictures are now available to view in the Mersey Trains 2006 gallery by the way, so feel free to have a look yourself for those who didn't go themselves. Everyone there was given a certificate and pen to commemorate the occasion, and local school children and enthusiasts all explored the station for the first time. Lets hope this is a worthwhile investment.
28/05/06 - Next Update
To allow parts of the site to be updated and rebuilt, the next update will be on Sunday 11/06/06. During this time I will rebuild the Mersey Stations page with better information and photos, the Arriva Trains Wales Fleet of Class 142's and 143's will be removed from the fleet lists, the Class 390 Fleet List will be created and the links section will be updated and modified. If you want a link set up, please email me before 09/06/06.
28/06/06 - Timetable Changes
The train timetables change on Sunday 11/06/06 (our next update). There are few changes this year with mainly changes on the Northern Line. Train times for Kirkby-Rochdale services are changed, and a Summer Sunday service is introduced on the Southport line, with trains running every 15 minutes. The are no changes to Wirral Line services. On the City Line, train times are changed on Liverpool Lime Street-Wigan North Western services, most likely mainly in the Wigan area. Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street now make an hourly call at Liverpool South Parkway, departing Lime Street at XX40 past each hour Monday-Friday and XX38 past each hour on Saturdays. Central Trains do not call at Liverpool South Parkway on Sundays. All Northern and Merseyrail services will use Liverpool South Parkway and Garston will be closed. On the North Wales line, the daily Monday-Saturday locomotive diagram is due to be withdrawn, but things may change?
21/05/06 - Mersey Trains area changes
I would like to confirm that Stanlow & Thornton, Ince & Elton, Frodsham and Helsby will join the Mersey Trains area, but Flint won't. Although it may be appropriate, it wouldn't fit in with the main area of the site. Also, after a few tests, the idea of new tables has been dropped, and the current format on the Merseyside Stations page (to be renamed Mersey Stations) will remain. I also hope that all the photos will be available by December to finally complete the page.
14/05/06 - Station refurbishment update
Sandhills station is set to be refurbished in time for the 2008 Capital of Culture year. All together, the cost of the project will be �4m, and will involve resurfacing the platform, building glass canopies to cover the entire platform, the construction of a new bus interchange and car and taxi pickup points, disabled and cycle parking areas, lifts from street level to platform level and new ticket offices at both street level and on the platform. In a seperate scheme, there are also plans to build a multistorey car park. It is currently estimated that over 1000 people use Sandhills station every day, and another 3000 people use it as an interchange station.
Hoylake station is progressing well, with the footbridge almost finished. The steps have been replaced and the rest of the footbridge has been repainted to hide its former origional concrete colour. The West Kirby platform has been extended about 2 metres, and is amost ready to be reurfaced. Another development seems to be in the old toilets. I recent days, two breeze block doorways have been constructed, indicating the possible return to use of the toilets. No start has been made with the booking hall, and also the newly installed snack machine has been removed for some reason.
07/05/06 - Mersey Trains area changes
I have again reviewed the area that Mersey Trains covers, and the some changes will take place on Sunday 11th June 2006. The two Wigan stations will be added to the area, as will Burscough Junction following its removal in December, and there is a possiblity that Flint may also join since its a Deeside town. However, I regret that Hoscar, Parbold, Appley Bridge and Gathurst will be removed from the area. I will also at a later date confirm if Stanlow & Thornton, Ince & Elton, Helsby and Frodsham will join the Mersey Trains area. These changes are part of the revamp of the Mersey Stations page, which will see photographs of the stations on the page rather than a link to Fotopic, which often rejects the link, and new tables will also be added, clearly displaying the station information, including service frequencies.
02/04/06 - Sun shines for Merseyside rail passengers
Merseytravel has recently drawn up plans to improve local transport in Merseyside. Financial support will come from the goverment using the �170m origionally to be spent on the ill-fated Merseytram scheme. Merseytravel now intends to open up the Bootle branch line between Bootle Oriel Road and Aintree, create new Park & Ride facilities and reopen stations at Sefton Park (between Edge Hill and Mossley Hill), Prescot Road, County Road, Walton Lane and West Derby Road (on the Liverpool Docks branch). The Bootle Branch will most likely become part of Merseyrail's Northern Line network, whilst the individual stations will become part of the City Line. If the Docks Branch does reopen to passenger services, Northern will probably have to terminate at one of the Bootle stations, where an extra platform would have to be built. Lets just see what happens. This may only talk, I bet �5 it will never happen...
02/04/06 - Next Update
I am away down south again next week, so the next update will be on 23/04/06. During the week away I hope to visit Oxford, Banbury and Bath Spa. Photos will be uploaded upon my return home.
12/03/06 - Metro Launched
Metro, a free newspaper is now available at selected Merseyrail stations. This would make Liverpool and the Wirral the 14th area to have the Metro nespaer on off. The newspaper covers national, worldwide and some local news, plus it also has a business section, letters and facts and competitions.
12/03/06 - Meet the Manager (Arriva Trains Wales)
Arriva Trains Wales are offering you the chance to meet the managers and discuss what you want to see chnage and also what Arriva are doing to improve the service. The staff will be at Chester on Tuesday 16th May between 0730-0930 and 1630-1800.
12/03/06 - Charter Trains/Special Excursions
I woulod like to state that Mersey Trains is not responsible for any tour operator cancelling an excursion. The same applies if a train arrives at a station late. Since this website is only updated on Sundays, and news of cancelled charters will be posted to the Yahoo! Group. The main website will not be updated in ANY way Monday-Saturday. Also, due some topics popping up on other forums, I would also ask for enthusiasts not to trespass on railway property for the sake of getting a photo. Do not walk along trackbeds and do not walk down the ramp at platform ends and spare a thought for other enthusiasts.
26/02/06 - 2 cars for Borderlands....forget it!
Hopes for Arriva Trains Wales to start using Class 142's, 143's and 150's on the Borderlands Line between Bidston-Wrexham have gone after Arriva announced that their 150's will be refurbished and used on South Wales commuter services. Pacers will stay down south due to guaging problems between Shrewsbury-Hereford, making stock moves impossible. Services are to remain with Class 153 'super bubbles' for now, which are unpopular with passengers and traincrew alike. Until a solution is found, the 153's will remain, which are unsuitable for the line due to their size and unreliability.
26/02/06 - Merseyrail to receive new shunter
As part of Merseyrail's wheel lathe project at Kirkdale, the company are investing money in an electric shunter from Holland. Merseyrail are eager to see the back of using the wheel lathe at Allerton's EWS depot. Visitors to Kirkdale will notice a hole in the ground ready for the lathe to be installed, which has already been partially filled in with reinforced concrete, ready for the lather to be put in place. Oo top of this, a new shed will cover the lathe and will also house an adjustment pit large enough for a 3 carriage train. The locomotive, a NITEQ 1000-E is currently being built in Holland, and should see action by the end of the summer in 2006. The wheel lathe is complete and awaiting shipment from Germany to Kirkdale. After this, Merseyrail hope to install new train washing and waste water recycling facilities installed at the same depot. This should begin later this year after the wheel lathe is completed.
12/02/06 - Tolls for Trams
Many Wirral residents are furiouse that Merseytravel will use �56m of spare tunnel toll money to found the endangered Merseytram project. This comes after news that Merseytravel lost its fight with the DfT for the �170m that it rightfully ows Merseytravel, the former is now heading to the court of appeal as a last resort. Wirral residents are angry that the money is being spent on Liverpool, and wonder how Merseytravel got their hands on the money, they don't seem to realise Merseytravel own both the tunnels! Wirral residents want to see the money spent in their area, not in Liverpool, and many Wirral press groups are supporting the majority who want the money back. Nobody though seems to know how they may benefit from the trams. Already, work has started on the �300m project to build a Line 1 from Liverpool City Centre to Kirkby, with pipelines behind moved from where the tram lines would run. Wirral council, Knowsley Council, St Helens Council and Liverpool City Council have already put foward around �130m towards the project. If Merseytravel doesn't get the �170m from the goverment, the goverment will still have to pay �40m compensation to cover the work thats already been done.
05/02/06 - Arriva 150's for refurbishment
Arriva Trains Wales has announced plans to refurbish their ex-Scotrail Class 150's. 13 units will be refurbished, all the Scottish units plus an ex Wales and Borders unit. All will be fitted with new airline seating, carpets and priority seating. Also as part of the refurbishment, the toilets will be refurbished, new wall panelling installed and a special wall at the end of the carriages will depict Welsh castles. The first unit to be completed, 150285 will be released in a couple of weeks, and the program should be all but complete by the end of the summer.
29/01/06 - Hoylake and James Street refurbishment
Merseytravel has drawn up plans for the refurbishment of both James Street station in Liverpool and Hoylake station on the Wirral. The �1.5m James Street project will comprise of a new station front, with new canopies, wider pavements and new bus stops. Inside, the booking hall will be extensively refurbished. For those intersted, an exhibition is open at Merseytravel's offices at 24 Hatton Garden, Liverpool (near Moorfields station) 0900-1630 Monday-Friday until the 03/03/06. James Street is in the heart of Liverpool's buisness area, and also serves the Pier Head, Albert Dock and Paradise Street Interchange. The project if it gets of the ground, is expected to finish, ready for the 2008 Capital of Culture year. Hoylake station will be a more simple exercise, with the replacement of windows, booking hall refurbishment and an extension of the West Kirby bound platform by 20ft. Hoylake station is a listed building and the refurbishment is designed so it will keep its origional LMS design. Meanwhile, the Liverpool South Parkway station is well over half way there, and is expected to open ready for the June 2006 timetable change. The station will be served by Merseyrail, Northern, Central Trains and Transpennine Express.
22/01/06 - North Wales locos to finish
Saturday 28th January is reported to be the last day Arriva Trins Wales is to use Class 57's from Virgin Trains. Just one Monday-Saturday diagram has been using Class 57's and Riviera Trains Mk2 coaches in place of Class 175's, which are to be repainted soon. The service will run normally on Saturday.
08/01/06 - Burscough Bridge now staffed!
Burscough Bridge, on the Southport-Wigan line has reopened, and is now staffed by Lancashire County Council. Staffing hours are 0630-1715 Monday to Friday and 0745-1615 Saturdays. The station will be unstaffed on Sundays.
24/12/05 - Next Update
Due to the fact that its Christmas, I won't have time to update the site so the next update will be on 08/01/06. I would also like to wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year! Thanks for visiting in 2005!
18/12/05 - 175008 is back!
After a long time out of service with fire damage, 175008 is back with Arriva Trains Wales after repairs and a repaint into Arriva house colours at Wolverton Works. The unit arrived back at Chester depot on Friday after almost a year out of service. 175008 caught fire near Preston while working for Northern on a Manchester Airport-Blackpool North service. The unit suffered from major smoke damage both inside and out as a result of the fire.
11/12/05 - Liverpool's new TOC.....
As from today, Silverlink (yes, Silverlink!) has intoduced two service to and from Liverpool. These are the 0606 Northampton-Liverpool Lime Street 'stopper' and the 1019 Liverpool Lime Street-London Euston 'stopper' via Rugeley and Nuneaton. Virgin has competion!
04/12/05 - Arriva Trains Wales press train
On the weekend of the 10th and 11th on Decemeber, Arriva Trains Wales staff and the press will be touring Wales onboard newly repainted 175110. Some of the destinations include Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester. Times will be posted as soon as they are available.
04/12/05 - Winter Timetable Changes additional.....
Further to last weeks report, it seems that Central Trains services between Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street will merge with services between Birmingham New Street-Northampton, therefore creating a new Liverpool Lime Street-Northampton direct route. Trains will call at:
- Runcorn
- Acton Bridge (selected services)
- Hartford
- Winsford (selected services)
- Crewe
- Stafford
- Penkridge
- Wolverhampton
- Coseley
- Birmingham New Street
- Stechford
- Lea Hall
- Marston Green
- Birmingham International
- Hampton-in-Arden
- Berkswell
- Tile Hill
- Canley
- Coventry
- Rugby
- Long Buckby
- Northampton
This service will however only run between 27/12/05-02/01/06, after which it resume to the usual Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street and Birmingham New Street-Northampton routes.
The Liverpool Lime Street-Norwich route will gain longer trains by running more 3-car trains or adding an additional unit in some cases to ease overcrowding.
West Allerton will now have an hourly Sunday service as from next weekend.
27/11/05 - Winter Timetable Changes
December's timetable change only offers Merseyside a small improvement this year.
On the Wirral Line, Merseyrail services will remain the same, whilst Bidston-Wrexham Sunday services will be increased from 5 to 6 trains a day in each direction. Larger trains are also promised in the form of Class 142's, 143's and 150's rather than 153's.
On the Northern Line, some trains between Hunts Cross-Southport may be reformed and some services will be retimed on the Kirkby-Rochdale and Southport-Rochdale/Manchester Airport lines.
On the City Line, weekend services on the Liverpool Lime Street-Wigan North Western line will occasionally start/terminate at St Helens Central due to the WCML upgrade focusing on lines north of Crewe.
16/10/05 - Next Update
I am away in Oxfordshire during the school holidays visiting the Model Railway Museum at Pendon and Oxford, Swindon, Bristol or Cardiff, so the next update will be on Sunday 6th November.
24/09/05 - Desiros in service!
The Desiros are now in service on the Liverpool-Birmingham New Street route! The units started work for Central Trains on 19/09/05, when a Class 350 worked a Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street service. 4 out of 6 diagrams were worked by Desiros, the other 2 being worked by Class 170's.
11/09/05 - Mersey Trains area changes
After some thought, it has been decided that the following stations are to be removed from the Mersey Trains area as from the 9th December Timetable changes:
-
Burscough Junction
-
Rufford
-
Croston
However, some stations will be added to the Mersey Trains site area. They are:
-
Bryn
-
Warrington Bank Quay
-
Warrington Central
These changes are due to information difficulties, and I hope this isn't a dissapointment to anybody.
04/09/05 - Desiros
According to Central Trains, the Class 350 'Desiro' trains, currently being built in Germany by Siemens, are to enter service in mid September. The introduction of these trains could be delayed though, as Network Rail have said that there are no platforms in Liverpool where the clearence is acceptable. Network Rail will in the next few week be modifying the platforms to allow the the German built EMU's. The Class 350's will be replacing Class 158's, 170's and occasionally 323's on the Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street service, which is under the wires all the way.
28/08/05 - 2 more liveries gone....
Two more liveries have gone to the history books in the last 2 weeks. The two liveries lost were from the Arriva Trains Wales fleet. We have lost the last origional Anglia liveried Class 150 No. 150245, which was refurbished this week. Also gone is the Scotrail livery. The last member of the class to carry this livery was 150264, which left Cardiff Canton 2 weeks ago.
28/08/05 - 'The Trains' page
As you may have noticed, I am having problems with this page. This is mainly to do with the pictures, which turn out larger when the site is published every week. I hope to have this problem corrected by the end of October at the very latest. Sorry for any dissapointment.
28/08/05 - County of Merseyside to go
HSBC Rail is to scrap 86249 'County of Merseyside at MoD Caerwent in South Wales. The former Virgin Cross Country locomotive has been used by Virgin Trains at Polmadie depot in Scotland for several years now as a training locomotive. Rest in piece(s) 'County of Merseyside'.
86249 at Liverpool Lime Street. Image Copyright (C) Rob Knight.
15/08/05 - Shelter refurbishment at Heswall
Arriva Trains Wales are to refurbish the waiting shelters at Heswall station. This will involve replacing the windows, repairing the seats and a repaint in Arriva turqoise or green.
06/08/05 - Merseyrail Refurbishments Complete!
Merseyrail has completed it train refurbishment programme. It has taken 3 years for the joint project between Angel Trains, Alstom and Merseyrail, worth �32million, to be completed. The last of the refurbished units entered service on 05/08/05, when 507033 and 508122 operated trains on the Northern and Wirral Lines. The refurbishment was aimed at giving the tired looking Class 507 and 508 fleet at facelift and to make the passengers think that since the takeover of the franchise from Arriva to Serco/Ned Rail on July 26th 2003, things were changing, and also to keep the units going until 2010 when the replacements for the Class 507 and 508's arrive.
30/07/07 - Goodbye to the Queen
After many years as the automated voice at Liverpool Lime Street station, the queen as it was once called has been replaced by a new system. The voice will be the same as the automated voice at Manchester Piccadilly. Farewell......
10/07/05 - Mersey Trains 'Super Trip' soon
76 trains, �60, 10 train companies,10 train journeys, 8 railway stations, all in 18 1/2 hours!
As you may have guessed, this is about the Mersey Trains 'Super Trip'. In just under 19 hours I will visit Liverpool, Stafford, Banbury, Basingstoke, Clapham Junction, London Victoria and London Euston! Featuring many of Britains train companies. 1 day to go.....
Also, Mersey Trains has just been visited by its 4000th visitor! Many thanks for visiting.
03/07/05 - Farewell to the un-refurbished Class 507/8's
After 27 years, the Merseyside Class 507 and 508 fleet has been refurbished at a cost of �32m. The last origional design unit, 507033 left Birkenhead on 27/06/05 behind 67020, the last to recieve the treatment. In the last 2 years, the fleet of 53 units have been refurbished at Alston's Eastleigh works near Southampton, along with 6 stored units (508108 from New Brighton, 508120/122/131 from Kirkdale TMD and 508123 from MoD Kineton near Banbury). Further refurbished trains may enter service between late 2005 and early 2006, these units coming from South Eastern Trains when replaced by newer Class 375's. At the end of an era, I take a look at the life of the Merseyside electric units.....
1978
The first unit (507001) is completed at BREL York, being the first of an order of an order of 47 Class 507 EMU's for Merseyside Northern Line network, although inreality only 33 were built. 507001 was shortly after, 507001 was delivered to Liverpool. After testing at Kirkdale and Hall Road, 507001 entered service on 1st November 1978. On 25th October 1978, 507002 carried the queen on a special service from Moorfields to Kirkby. 507001 was booked for this duty but was out of traffic recieving repair to minor collision damage.
(507028 at Meols (C) Rob Knight)
1979
The last of the Class 507's for the Northern Line entered service. The 507's worked along side a heavily reduced fleet of Class 502 2-car and 3-car units until.....
(507031 at Sandhills (C) Rob Knight)
1980
The last 502's were sent for scrap and so Class 507's were completely in control of the Northern Line. The duties were Hunts Cross-Southport, Liverpool Central-Kirkby/Ormskirk.
(508117 at Sandhills (C) Rob Knight)
1982
The Class 503 Wirral suburban EMU's had their fate sealed after British Rail began to move the Class 508's to the Wirral as they didn't have toilets, and were not suited to London Waterloo-Wimbledon/Surbiton services. With the arrival of Class 455's from BREL York, the first Class 508's moved to Birkenhead North, the first being 508141-143 which were moved north after the removal of their TSO's as to increase the Class 455/7 units to 4 car units. The 503's replacement was underway.
(507026 at West Kirby (C) Rob Knight)
1984
All 43 Class 508's had been moved north. They were renumbered from 508001-508043 to 508101-508143 to avoid confusion with the 507's. By now the 503's had all been removed from service and were stored at the locomotive depot at Birkenhead Mollington Street before they were removed to Birkenhead Docks for scrap. BREL York EMU's were in service all over Merseyside. Nothing happened until.....
(507025 at Kirkby (C) Rob Knight)
1991
The first Class 507 and only to date to be scrapped, 507022, crashed into 507004 at Kirkdale TMD. 507004 recieved 022's un-damaged cab end and 314203 has taken on 507022's TSO after it crashed into a Strathclyde PTE Class 303 near Glasgow. The undamaged cars of 507022 spent several months stored at Chester's 1st generation DMU depot (Now Alstom's Class 175 maintanance facilaty). The damaged end cars of 507004 and 507022 were later scrapped at MC Metal, Glasgow in 1996.
(507015 at Hillside (C) Rob Knight)
1992
British Rail began to paint their Class 507 and 508 fleets into a Merseyside version of Regional Railways livery. BR Blue and Grey which had adorned the units since their beginning, which was phased out during 1992.
(507009 at Ormskirk (C) Rob Knight)
1993
The last units are painted in the new Regional Railways livery. However 12 units weren't. British Rail sent 10 Class 508's away to store at Southport, James Street, Chester Depot, Llandudno Junction and MoD Kineton, near Banbury (Oxfordshire).
(507002 at Rock Ferry (C) Rob Knight)
1995
Privitisation sets in. Connex South Eastern expressed interest in the stored 508's to replace Class 421 and 423's on the Medway Valley lines. So the stored units are towed down to Eastleigh for refurbishment along with 508101 and 508119, the only remaining BR Blue & Grey Class 508's. During the year, the 508's enter service around London.
(508137 at Rock Ferry (C) Rob Knight)
1999
After Arriva Trains takes over all the MTL franchises after poor maintance, more units go to storage. 508102/142 were stored at West Kirby, 508108/135 were stored at New Brighton, 508110/118 were stored at Birkenhead North station and 508120/122/131 were stored at Kirkdale. Vehicle 64671 of 508123 was stored at the rear of Birkenhead North shed and vehicles 71505 and 64714 were stored at MoD Kineton.
(507026 at Bidston (C) Rob Knight)
2002
508102/135/142 were the first units to head to Eastleigh. These were followed by 508108/110/120/122/123/131. 508102/135/142 became 508301-303 respectivly and entered service with Silverlink Metro. Back north, due to an arson attack, 508118 made its way to Immingham Railfreight Terminal for scrap, the first 508 to do so.
(508136 at Bidston (C) Rob Knight)
2003
During April, the first refurbished Merseyrail unit rolls out of the work at Eastleigh, near Southampton. 508110 was delivered the same month but found to have some minor technical difficulties and problems with the paint, so it was taken back to Eastleigh and returned to Birkenhead in early May. Before entering service it saw test at Birkenhead North TMD as well as at least 2 test runs on the West Kirby line. During mid May, 508110 carried passengers for the first time in 5 years. As I saw on the first day, all the passengers were impressed by the completely new design. This was the start of the �32m 'rebirth' of the 507's and 508's.
(507024 at Sandhills (C) Rob Knight)
2005
With the last unit due back home in July, there are none of the standard 507's and 508's left. This also marks the last ever 507/8 to be refurbished. But what is yet to come?
(507030 at Sandhills (C) Rob Knight)
The Future
When Serco/Ned Rail became operator of Merseyrail on July 26th 2003, they anounced that the 507/8's would be withdrawn by 2012. This has now been brought foward to 2010, so with 5 years more service, can the Merseyside EMU fleet stay reliable. Hopefully so. Serco/Ned Rail are due to decide what will be the replacement for the 507's and 508's in 2006, but what will it be? Unfortunatly you have to wait only 4 1/2 years.
Thanks to James Rawlinson for letting me use some of the dates.
25/06/05 - One to go.....
With 507032 gone (also the last Merseyrail Class 507/8 in Merseyrail Revised livery), 507033 will be the last un-refurbished Class 507 in Merseyside. This also marks the end of un-refurbished Class 507/8's throughout the country. 507033 is due to be towed away from the Wirral, its home for 26 years, on July 4th with the help of an EWS Class 67. This is an end of an era........
18/06/05 - Northern Fleet Mix Up
After 6 months of operation, Northern is moving its fleet around to meet its needs. All the Class 150's are at Newton Heath (Manchester) and all the Class 158's are based at Neville Hill (Leeds). The Class 156's remain at their current depots but sometimes move around when required. The 142's however remain where they are. This means it is now possible to see the following liveries at Lime Street:
Northern version 1, Northern version 2, Northern version 3, Northern Spirit, Regional Railways, Transpennine Express, Central Trains, North Western Trains, Merseyrail, Virgin Trains, First 'Barbie', Plain Purple, Centro (rarely) and Advertising Liveries.
18/06/05 - Farewell to the West Coast Class 87's
On Friday 10th June 2005, 87002 and 87010 hauled the last Class 87 hauled train for Virgin West Coast, hauling the 0938 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly service. This also marks the end of locomotive haulage to Liverpool, making the city totally in the hands of multiple units. Farewell to the best locomotives that ever existed..... : (
04/06/05 - Mersey Trains Polls
The Mersey Trains Polls have now moved to the forums to improve the service. Now, every Saturday, I will create a new poll. Next Saturday, I will lock it and conclude it and open a new poll.
29/05/05 - Liverpool South Parkway
The conversion of Allerton station into Liverpool South Parkway is progressing quickly and on time. Currently the overbridge is under construction and the Merseyrail low level platforms are almost finished. From August 7th to December, Allerton station will be closed to allow the project to be finished.
15/05/05 - Penalty Fares Update
Penalty Fares are goning up to �20 on June 12th from the previouse charge of �10 to improve security and to keep ticket-less passengers off the trains. In 2004, 10,000 people were fined for not having a ticket in Merseyside for the first three months. Hopefully things will start to shape up in Merseyside.
07/05/05 - Desiro News
Central Trains's Class 350 'Desiros' are now closer to entering traffic. Between the 3rd May and 6th May, the trains were doing 4 return trips a day between Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe for driver train purposes. These new 100mph electric units will eliminate the need for 170's on the Liverpool-Birmingham 'Citylink' trains, a journey entirely under the wires. These units are due to enter service in the summer.
Transpennines order for 51 Siemens Class 185 'Desiros' is on time and so these should start to replace Class 158's on services out of Liverpool later this year.
01/04/05 - 2000 visitors
After 247 days today on the internet, Mersey Trains has reached its 2000th hit! Many thanks to everbody who has visited the site during that time and keep coming back as Mersey Trains is getting better and better by the week with improvments to existing pages and new pages coming soon. Thanks for visiting!
14/02/05
A very sad day as 507004 has gone to Eastleigh behind 67011 and two different and unusual barrier coaches, possibly ex-BR Test coaches? They are blue and grey rather than the usual all over Merseyrail grey. Merseyrail seems to have invested in leasing extra barrier coaches from Angel Trains. Also unusual was that 67011 was seen stabled in platform1 at North station before crossing over and running through the station on the West Kirby and New Brighton platform.
UPDATE
It seems that Merseyrail is using a South Eastern Trains barrier coach and South Eastern Trains is using a Merseyrail barrier coach as a Class 465 has been towed from Doncaster to the south using a Merseyrail grey coach.
06/02/05
I am looking for Class 142 photos, mainly Valley Lines, Northern Spirit, Arriva and Regional Railways liveried. This is for a new Class 142 photo project which I am doing at the moment. Although these will be published to the internet, right click and save wil be disabled if you don't want anybody using your photos.
bravenet.com