Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

507029 and 508117 are working this year's Polar Express. These units were running between Southport and Bootle Oriel Road yesterday (08/12) using the reversing siding at Sandhills.

Some info on the upcoming 507/8 refresh here:
http://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/refur...earch.aspx.

They're taking suggestions on what should be changed, so it's still probably a few months away from kicking off. Very good to see they plan to introduce bins to the trains - should have been implemented years ago.

Thanks for the link. I responded by asking gor a new fleet of trains like we have been promised for ages rather than a polished turd..

(15/12/2013 09:22)WAITING FOR THE 437 Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the link. I responded by asking gor a new fleet of trains like we have been promised for ages rather than a polished turd..

They can't win can they? The new trains are coming, last estimate I heard was 2018. In the meantime they are investing in cosmetic improvements to improve the customer experience. They are even asking the customers what they want changing. They didn't have to do that, in fact they don't have to make the improvements in the first place. I'm sure they will read your message, which is a shame as they will clearly be wasting their time.

(15/12/2013 16:42)LVC Wrote: [ -> ]

(15/12/2013 09:22)WAITING FOR THE 437 Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the link. I responded by asking gor a new fleet of trains like we have been promised for ages rather than a polished turd..

They can't win can they? The new trains are coming, last estimate I heard was 2018. In the meantime they are investing in cosmetic improvements to improve the customer experience. They are even asking the customers what they want changing. They didn't have to do that, in fact they don't have to make the improvements in the first place. I'm sure they will read your message, which is a shame as they will clearly be wasting their time.

Agreed. It's boosted my estimations of the company doing this.

Completely agree. It's great to see some train improvements in the short-term. The 2002-05 refurbishment was a massive improvement but some of the colours chosen haven't aged as well as the old interiors. A nice internal repaint, retrimmed seats and modifications like bins and they will look fine again. The external relivery is also vital for the image of the company. The trains simply aren't in acceptable external condition at the moment, with a few notable exceptions. Looking forward to seeing the first unit go into service now!

One modification I would love to see but doubt they would implement on cost grounds is passenger door controls. These would be a big help, especially in the winter at some of the draughtier terminal stations.

I also think 'polishing a turd' is a harsh way to describe the 507/8s which remain for me great trains to ride. I'm just grateful we have comfortable and warm EMUs, whatever their age.

Each to their own view point. I think it would be much nicer in a brand new warm train that we have been promised over and over again. I dont think the 507 / 508's have been bad they are just tiired inside and out, also becoming unreliable and a new coat of paint etc will not help the mechanics of the trains..Thats the good thing about forums everyone can have and does have their own opinion. Lets respect that. Yes I do think that they are now turds!

(15/12/2013 16:52)jtd508110 Wrote: [ -> ]

(15/12/2013 16:42)LVC Wrote: [ -> ][quote='WAITING FOR THE 437' pid='49172' dateline='1387099379']
Thanks for the link. I responded by asking gor a new fleet of trains like we have been promised for ages rather than a polished turd..

They can't win can they? The new trains are coming, last estimate I heard was 2018. In the meantime they are investing in cosmetic improvements to improve the customer experience. They are even asking the customers what they want changing. They didn't have to do that, in fact they don't have to make the improvements in the first place. I'm sure they will read your message, which is a shame as they will clearly be wasting their time.

Agreed. It's boosted my estimations of the company doing this


Never mind coming.. They should be here now and in service...They still haven't decided what trains they want to go for. Big decisions depending on if they want to expand the merseyrail network towards Preston / Wigan and or Wrexham.

Of those three objectives , Wrexham should be the most easily attainable one as everybody seems to support it , just there seems to be a lack of funds at this moment .

Just be patient new trains take time to come , even if ordered now they would take at least two maybe three years to arrive .

Squeezed on to very packed 508143 from bootle strand to sandhills on saturday afternoon with my 1 yr old niece in her pram conditions on board where chronic the guard came on the tannoy and asked me to put the pram in the bay provided which i could not do as i couldnt get near it and there where also people sat in it. It was a nightmare thought all trains where supposed to be 6 coaches in the run up to christmas? Also just been told theres no 6 cars on ormskirks this morning destination boards saying there 3 cars only is there a unit shortage or something?