Liverpool man launches project to save a Merseyrail Class 507 train

With Merseyrail's Class 507 electric multiple units soon to be replaced by new Class 777 units, a local rail enthusiast wants like-minded individuals to come together to show their interest in saving one of the units for preservation.

The man behind the scheme is lifelong rail enthusiast, Robert Hampton. He realised that the Class 507 units were soon to be consigned to history, and decided to start The Class 507 Preservation Project to save one of them. His first task was to see if enough people would be interested in saving one of the units for posterity.

Built in 1978, the Class 507 trains have been a familiar sight to Merseyside's travellers for work and leisure. Even the late Queen Elizabeth II had travelled during a royal visit to Kirkby. However, services using Class 507s will soon be just a memory as deliveries of Class 777 units, increase, and all are due to be withdrawn by next summer.

In the first instance, Robert Hampton would like to know how many people are willing to offer their support, either with their knowledge of engineering or railway operations. He is also looking for help with administration, or simply a donation to offset the running costs of his appeal.

If enough people respond to Robert's appeal and confirm their interest in supporting the project, he hopes to open a crowdfunding effort to raise sufficient funds to both purchase a complete Class 507 unit and move it to a new location. The Project is looking for a secure storage location large enough to store three 20-metre-long railway carriages and would like to hear from anyone who can offer a suggestion.

Once the project gets going, its initial task after purchasing a unit will be to restore and overhaul it into a state suitable for static display. However, he hopes the Project will keep its options open regarding preparing the unit for eventual operational use.

Robert has been actively engaged in railway preservation since 2008 and was a founding member of the Friends of the 502 Group, which managed to rescue an LMS class 502 electric multiple unit for preservation and save it from the threat of being consigned to the scrapman's torch.

If anyone would like to support the project they can register their interest online at class507.org.uk and complete the online form.

Robert Hampton commented: “The 507s are reaching the end of their useful lives, but after 45 years' service, they have earned their place in the region's transport history. Time is short and there are many obstacles to overcome, but preserving a set will ensure that these hard-working trains are not forgotten.”