The Branch Line Society‘s recent “ 5:08 Sunset” rail tour of the Merseyrail network that marked the impending withdrawal of Merseyrail’s Class 508 EMUs raised an amazing £12,200 for the four charities nominated by Merseyrail to benefit from the tour.

The four charities to benefit are:

• Kids In Need & Distress (KIND) helps children and families throughout Liverpool and Merseyside to cope with poverty and disadvantage;
• Sefton Womens & Childrens Aid (SWACA,) supports women, young people, and children in Sefton;
• Paper Cup Project is a Liverpool charity supporting rough sleepers and homeless people in the region;
• Tam O’Shanter Cottage and Community Farm provides an enjoyable and educational experience for children and adults in Birkenhead.

The tour ran on Sunday, 29 October with a pair of Class 508 EMUs and travelled across the entire Merseyrail third-rail network while providing scenic views as it travelled across both the Wirral and Northern Lines.

Highlights of the tour included the Stock Interchange Line, both EMU depots, as well as many sidings and crossovers. Although titled as the “The 5.08 Sunset”, It wasn’t possible to fix the time of sunset as on the day that occurred at 4.48.

The tour started at Chester and picked up participants at Hooton, Birkenhead Central, Liverpool Central, and Southport, where Merseyrail also provided complimentary refreshments. During the journey, there was a chance to purchase souvenirs of the trip including window decals, and a raffle with some fantastic prizes to raise funds for the nominated charities..

Although many of the Branch Line Society tours are for members only, some of them such as The 5.08 Sunset are also open to non-members. Other tours planned for the rest of this year include :

• the Ribble Nibble – Ribble Steam Railway which travel around all available lines at the wonderful Ribble Steam Railway. Our traction will be 4 wheel German built Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus 79960;
• Hello Sailor for of tour of Blackpool’s tramways.