Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

508139 has again transferred to the Northern Line and was paired with 507013 on the Southport line today. Had my first ride on it for a few years on the blue side this afternoon.

(27/07/2013 20:32)507009 Wrote: [ -> ]Three 6 cars and three 3 cars on the Chester line again today, but strangely these weren't arranged in an alternating pattern. The circuit ended up being 3, 3, 6, 6, 3, 6 which doesn't seem sensible, especially as two of the three 6 cars weren't timed to conveniently connect with today's Ellesmere Port shuttle (507007). Neither did the single Ormskirk 6 car operate that the last few Saturdays have seen. However, as always for the summer, all Southport trains formed of pairs.

507032 and 508126 were both in use on the Wirral Line, still with graffiti.

Why aint the Ellesmere Ports running from Liverpool and I presume its A Arriva RR from Hooton to E Port?

(29/07/2013 18:59)E208 WBG Wrote: [ -> ]Why aint the Ellesmere Ports running from Liverpool and I presume its A Arriva RR from Hooton to E Port?

Ellesmere Port line is currently running a train from E.Port to Hooton every 30 minutes. This is from 7am-7pm Mon-Sat. Before 7am and after 7pm, as well as all day Sunday, normal through service runs (Though of course to James St).

I would imagine its down to capacity issues at James street, with 4 trains an hour to WK, NB & Chester, there can't be much more room to turn around any more trains. So though not really ideal, (I've overheard some comments of not liking having to change and going to use the car from now on etc, and some worried that its permanent) its probably the easiest way to manage the situation. And its only for a couple of weeks more now, then all back to normal.

There's an article on the Wirral Globe website saying that work is soon to start on phase 2 of Birkenhead North station. This will include lifts being installed and a direct walkway to the new car park

I was on the 16:35 service from ormskirk on wednesday formed of 508134+507008 having boarded at old roan. went past Kirkdale and both 507032 and 508126 were back on the northern line with 508126s graffiti removed looking a right state but 507032s wasnt removed.

Graffiti with this livery has always been a pain , i reckon its something that has been mentioned with regards any new trains as they may have to look away from vinyl towards paint .

Funnily enough 507mad, all four units you mentioned above had transferred to the Wirral Line today. A lot of units have transferred over the course of this week, with the stock interchange having been used regularly throughout this engineering possession. Noticed 507032 with the graffiti still on; this was working the West Kirby line.

Again, all 3 cars on the Ormskirk line despite the Stevie G testimonial at Anfield, which seems strange given they did provide the single 6 car for a few Saturdays running last month. There was also only one spare unit at Kirkdale. This might have posed a problem if a Southport 6 car had failed in the middle of the evening rush, but thankfully didn't.

As for liveries, at least where multiple units are concerned, the great majority of corporate liveries applied these days use vinyls as opposed to paint. It's not so much of a problem if an anti-vandal finish is applied, as most of the London-based operators use; I'm fairly certain both the Liverpool 08 and current advertising liveries use something similar and are much less damaged by graffiti removal. Most of Merseyrail's trains have had the same vinyls for 10 years now with only minimal replacements to the 'M's and front ends and it definitely shows. Some units like 507010, 507011, 508104, 508110, 508141 and 508143 look particularly bad but have done for several years. A revinyling programme for some of the worst affected sets would do wonders for their corporate image.

8.49 Brunswick - Southport train was delayed for 20+ minutes at the first signal after Brunswick due to something on the track. Electricity was turned off to remove the item and the train was then cancelled at Liverpool Central.

Start date
28/09/2013
End date
29/09/2013

Engineering work is taking place on the Wirral Line. Some lines are closed.

On Saturday
, buses replace trains between Rock Ferry and Birkenhead North via Liverpool Central.

Sunday
Buses replace trains between West Kirby / New Brighton and Birkenhead North

Until 10:20, buses replace trains between Chester / Ellesmere Port and Liverpool Central

From 10:20, trains between Chester and Liverpool Central are replaced by buses between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central

From 10:20 until 18:00, trains between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool Central are replaced by buses between Ellesmere Port and Hooton. Passengers should change at Hooton for road / rail services to Liverpool Central.

From 18:00, buses replace trains between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central

Oh well can we all keep up with the sunday bus service set up.

508127 seemingly disgraced itself at Southport this morning, leaving its partner for the day, 508141, to run at least one trip to Hunts Cross and back in 3 car formation. Unfortunately this coincided with the daytrippers making for the seaside, resulting in a very overcrowded journey. I assume they reformed later once 127's issue was sorted. 508139 was also out on the Northern Line once again, working with 507018 on the Southport line today. Perhaps the 507015/508139 'restrictions' are finally over?

Also saw 508111 for the first time in weeks, shunting around Birkenhead North depot. Its Beatles Story livery is still intact: had a feeling it was being revinyled. It would be a shame to lose such a distinctive and attractive advertising livery.