The Class 507 Preservation Society has launched an appeal to fund the transport costs for one of Merseyside‘s iconic class 507 electric trains to save it from being consigned to a scrapyard.

Class 507 trains have been a familiar sight on Merseyside since 25th October 1978, when Queen Elizabeth II travelled from Moorfields to Kirkby on a brand new class 507 electric train No. 507001.

A class 507 train often travelled over 300 miles in a day, and since its introduction in 1978, it is estimated that 507 001 has travelled over five million miles, equivalent to more than ten trips to the moon and back.

With the introduction of state-of-the-art class 777 trains, 507 001 along with other members of the class now heading for imminent retirement.

Angel Trains, the current owners of the Merseyrail fleet, has agreed that when 507001 is withdrawn from service this summer, it will be handed over to the Class 507 Preservation Society.

After withdrawal, the society intends to move the train to the Nant Mawr visitor centre at the Tanat Valley Light Railway near Llangollen, where there is a great range of locomotives and rolling stock.

The centre also houses the UK’s largest collection of industrial monorail equipment, some of which were used in a James Bond film, as well as award-winning nature trails through surrounding woodland.

To move the train to Nant Mawr will cost about £10,000, which the society needs to find before it is withdrawn from service in July.

To cover the transport costs so that the train can be secured for future generations the society has launched a crowdfunding campaign to preserve it and tell the story of how the railways helped build the Liverpool City Region.

Many people had a favourite seat when travelling to and from work, so the society is offering donors the chance to have their name on their favourite seat and at the same time help save this historic train from the scrapyard.

Donations to the appeal can be made through the Society’s website at www.class507.org.uk, with donors being eligible to claim various rewards, from limited-edition badges to a chance to sponsor their very own seat.

The closing date for the crowdfunding appeal is 29th June 2024.

The class 507 trains have served the Liverpool City Region well in their 46 years. We hope we can repay their service by raising the funds needed to give 507001 a well-earned retirement in the Shropshire countryside. Lots of people will have happy memories of travelling on these trains, from a day out at the beach to night out on the town.

Robert Hampton , Class 507 Preservation Society chairman