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The Class 507 is a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) train built by British Rail Engineering Limited at York Works in two batches from 1978 to 1980. They were the second variety of British Rail's standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs derived from PEP stock, which eventually encompassed 755 vehicles and five Classes (Class 313/314/315/507/508). The 507s were the first variant to be 750 V DC third rail only. They have worked on the Merseyrail network from new, and continue to do so, having been refurbished by Alstom's Eastleigh Works. ==History== With the Class 502 units life-expired, unable to cope with the demands of the new "Link" tunnel and approaching 40 years old, by 1977 a replacement was sought. Owing to the success of the Class 313 fleet on suburban services from King's Cross, four sets were temporarily transferred to Merseyside and based at Hall Road TMD. Sets 313013/063〔Today's Railway UK issue 123〕 were used for clearance trials on the Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby-Garston lines. The results showed that a similar type of stock would be suitable for the Merseyrail Northern Line. Initially, 47 sets were ordered (507001-507047) but cost issues forced this number to be reduced to 38 units, then 30 by early 1978 when the first sets were under construction. Ultimately, 33 units were built between September 1978 and October 1979. On 25 October 1978, Royal Special involving units 507001 and 507002 conveyed HM the Queen and several other VIPs on a special service between Moorfields and Kirkby. Following the journey, she declared the new-look Merseyrail network officially open.〔The Story of Merseyrail〕 The first passenger working occurred on 1 November 1978 with 507001 working the 0739 Southport-Liverpool Central with a commemorative headboard.〔Merseyrail Electrics: The Inside Story〕 It worked between Liverpool and Southport for the remainder of the day, while 507002 operated between Liverpool and Ormskirk. Further 507s steadily entered service and the 502s were in turn withdrawn. By mid 1980, Northern Line services were entirely in the hands of the 507s. Following privatisation, the 507s were used interchangeably between both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line, working a further four routes regularly. A host of new liveries appeared following sectorisation of British Rail. The remaining 32 units were refurbished by Alstom Eastleigh during 2002-2005. They received a new interiors, CCTV, light clusters and dot matrix displays.〔http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/merseyrail-train-refurbishment.html〕 Unit 507033 was the last Merseyside set to be refurbished, entering service having been named "Cllr George Howard" in August 2005. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「British Rail Class 507」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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