To mark the impending withdrawal of Merseyrail’s Class 508 EMUs after more than 44 years of service, on Sunday, 29 October Merseyrail and the Branch Line Society are running a rail tour with a pair of Class 508s across the entire Merseyrail third-rail network.

The rail tour, appropriately titled “The 5:08 Sunset”, will provide a chance to travel all of Merseyrail’s third-rail network while enjoying scenic views across both the Wirral and Northern Lines.

Highlights of the tour include the Stock Interchange Line and both EMU depots, as well as the sidings and crossovers that Merseyrail has become famous for.

There will be comfort breaks for participants to use station facilities and an extended leg stretch break at Southport where Merseyrail will provide complimentary refreshments.

Proceeds from the trip will be donated to four very deserving local charities:

• KIND, which helps children and families across Liverpool and Merseyside cope with poverty and disadvantage;
• SWACA, which supports women, young people, and children; in Sefton;
• Paper Cup Project, which is a Liverpool charity that supports local rough sleepers and homeless people;
• Tam O’Shanter Cottage and Community Farm, which aims to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for children and adults in Birkenhead.

During the journey, there will be a chance to purchase souvenirs of the trip including window decals, and a charity raffle with some fantastic prizes on offer.

Although the haulage will be a pair of Class 508s, subject to availability. It isn’t possible to fix the time of sunset as on the day that will occur at 4.48.

The tour starts at Chester with a second pick-up at Hooton where the station pay and display car park has space for over 400 vehicles.

Details about Hooton’s facilities can be found at https://www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning/stations/hooton/

Fares for the tour are £50.80 for Standard Class and a huge 45.72 reduction in all fares for accompanied under 18s. There is no surcharge for not being a Branch Line Society member.

Indicative routing and timings:

Chester P7A (PU 08.50) – Hooton P1 (PU 09.16 / RM) – Ellesmere Port (RM) – Hooton P2 – Rock Ferry 722 Signal (RM) – Rock Ferry P3 (RM) – Birkenhead Central (PU 10.14) – James Street P2 – Stock Interchange Line – Liverpool Central P2 (PU 10.30) – Reversing Siding (RM) – Liverpool Central P1 – Up Southport – Leeds Street Jn – Down Southport – Sandhills – Ormskirk P1 (RM) – Walton Jn (RM) – Fazakerley Jn (RM) – Kirkdale EMU Depot – Sandhills P1 (RM) – Up Southport – Bootle Jn – Down Southport – Hall Road Wallside Siding (RM) – Hall Road P2 (RM) – Southport P1 (SD 13.15 / break)
Southport P1 (PU 14.00) – South Jn (RM) – Birkdale Sidings No 4 Road (RM) – Sandhills – Leeds Street Jn – Down Southport – Paradise Jn – Liverpool Central P1 – Hunts Cross P2 (RM) – Paradise Jn – Stock Interchange Line – Bidston (RM) – Bidston Stabling Siding (RM) – West Kirby P2 (RM) – Birkenhead North P1 – Birkenhead 564 Signal (RM) – Birkenhead North P3 – New Brighton P2 (RM) – New Brighton 606 Signal (RM) – Siding No 1 (RM) – Bidston East Jn – Birkenhead North T&RSMD – Birkenhead North P1 – Liverpool Lime Street (SD 18.22) – Birkenhead Central (SD 18.32) – Rock Ferry P2 – Hooton P3 (SD 18.47) – Chester P7A (SD 19.03)