Liverpool Class 507 which carried Elizabeth II is saved
THE Liverpool-based Class 507 Preservation Society has reached an agreement to take over the ownership of a Merseyrail EMU before the last of its type is withdrawn and scrapped.
No. 507001, which carried the late Queen Elizabeth II from Moorfields station to Kirkby when she opened the network on October 25, 1978, was due to be scrapped later this year, as highlighted in issue 316.
However, subject to funding, the train will now be taken to the Tanat Valley Light Railway Nant Mawr visitor centre, near Oswestry, for conservation work.
The unit was built in 1978 by BREL at its Holgate Road Works in York and has spent its entire life working on the Northern and Wirral lines of Merseryrail.
While the society has secured agreements with everyone involved for the unit to be preserved, about £10,000 is now needed to move it from the National Rail network to the Nant Mawr visitor centre, home to the UK’s largest collection of industrial monorail equipment, more than a mile of standard gauge track, and a short narrow gauge line. The society is about to launch an appeal to cover the transportation costs.
Chairman Robert Hampton said: “It’s fantastic news that we will be preserving this train for future generations. They have served the Liverpool city region well in the 46 years since Elizabeth II travelled on this very train in 1978, be it taking people to and from work, for a day out to the seaside, or home after an evening out.
“But we need to raise money to move the train from the main line network to its new home at Nant Mawr or it faces being sent to South Wales and turned into razor blades.
“If everyone who remembers travelling on a train like this were to donate just £5.07, then we would be well on the way to saving this train for the people of Merseyside.”
For several years, people online have said that something should be done to preserve a Class 507. In September last year, Robert set up a website and mailing list, as reported.
More than 200 people expressed an interest, so just eight weeks later a meeting was held in Liverpool where those assembled agreed to form the society and appointed a committee. The society has steadily grown and now has more than 70 members, from Bristol to Dundee.
Following its debut in 1978, it is estimated that No. 507001 has travelled more than five million miles.
Mark Hignett, from the Nant Mawr visitor centre, said: “I’m thrilled that a train which carried Elizabeth II is coming to Nant Mawr. The area has many historic connections with Liverpool – much of the city’s water comes from Lake Vyrnwy, which is just 20 miles away. We look forward to hosting this very special train.”
➜ Donations can be made by visiting www.class507.org.uk