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Chris Birkett's adventures in video
Великобритания
Добавлен 15 янв 2007
Anything to do with trains, buses, planes and wildlife (particularly seabirds) is likely to pop up on here.
Plane wise - I go to RIAT every year and regularly visit RAF Lakenheath and surrounding bases, my favourite jets being F-15s and the sadly missed Tornado.
Train wise - Deltics are king with class 37s a close 2nd :-) steam wise Black 5s are my favourites, i try to ride the Jacobite each year. Unit wise the Merseyrail 507/8s will always be very close to my heart, They are the soundtrack to my childhood. Perversely fond of 142s as they refused to die!
Bus wise - MCW Metrobus all the way, again the soundtrack to growing up. Leyland Lynxes also very enjoyable. Very little plastic stuff interests me though I do have a soft spot for Dennis Tridents.
As for seabirds Puffins are the most wonderful things in the world.
DISCLAIMER: My videos tend to be quite lengthy, but I do attempt to chapterise them and make the descriptions as useful as possible. Quality warnings always apply!!
Plane wise - I go to RIAT every year and regularly visit RAF Lakenheath and surrounding bases, my favourite jets being F-15s and the sadly missed Tornado.
Train wise - Deltics are king with class 37s a close 2nd :-) steam wise Black 5s are my favourites, i try to ride the Jacobite each year. Unit wise the Merseyrail 507/8s will always be very close to my heart, They are the soundtrack to my childhood. Perversely fond of 142s as they refused to die!
Bus wise - MCW Metrobus all the way, again the soundtrack to growing up. Leyland Lynxes also very enjoyable. Very little plastic stuff interests me though I do have a soft spot for Dennis Tridents.
As for seabirds Puffins are the most wonderful things in the world.
DISCLAIMER: My videos tend to be quite lengthy, but I do attempt to chapterise them and make the descriptions as useful as possible. Quality warnings always apply!!
Lakenheath and Mildenhall, Tuesday 24th September 2024
Lakenheath and Mildenhall, Tuesday 24th September 2024
Просмотров: 74
Видео
RAF Lakenheath Monday 23rd September 2024
Просмотров 84 часа назад
RAF Lakenheath Monday 23rd September 2024
The Wirral Swan Song, with a LOT of tones, 15th September 2024
Просмотров 13114 дней назад
The Wirral Swan Song, with a LOT of tones, 15th September 2024
Earlestown to Earlestown (featuring Ellesmere Port-Helsby) - 16th August 2024
Просмотров 310Месяц назад
Earlestown to Earlestown (featuring Ellesmere Port-Helsby) - 16th August 2024
The 507s last summer season, 22nd July 2024 on Merseyside
Просмотров 3732 месяца назад
The 507s last summer season, 22nd July 2024 on Merseyside
RIAT 2024 Sunday 21st July, part 4 - static park megamix
Просмотров 192 месяца назад
RIAT 2024 Sunday 21st July, part 4 - static park megamix
12 terms of office for the 507s, July 4th 2024 on Merseyside
Просмотров 4092 месяца назад
Resisting the temptation to call this one "Polling Day PEPS" as I am one of those who hates any of these units (be they 313, 314, 315, 507 or 508) being referred to by the aforementioned term. It's just not accurate. Anyway, it's an argument for countless online forums I suppose but that's my stance and I'm sticking to it. THEY'RE NOT PEPS!!! Not to me anyway. Goodness, all this soapbox ranting...
Southport line shenanigans 24th June 2024
Просмотров 3233 месяца назад
A last minute decision to head out before some annual leave finished and with the concentration of 507s now on the Southport line that was the intended focus for the day. I don't think I actually even made it under the water on this occasion so Wirral line workings were only seen on the loop. It really is near the end now for the 507s - September now the mooted end of planned use though these t...
Aimless Wandering with a Day Ranger 30th May 2024
Просмотров 1193 месяца назад
Staying on the Yorkshire border housesitting makes it a slightly more eventful experience to get over to Merseyside for a 507 catch up. My method of choice this time was the trusty old Lancashire Day Ranger that I haven't bought for ages to which I could add a saveaway if deemed necessary. So a LIttleborough start then and i must say I do seem to "drop on" things in an advantageous way. First 6...
Midlands Air Festival 31st May 2024
Просмотров 314 месяца назад
I have attended this event once before, and a shift owed me by work meant I was able to attend the Friday show once again. Such an enjoyable event!!!! Very relaxed start time on the Friday, then towards the evening the Hot Air Balloons take over giving you two airshows in one. There's no rushing towards a crowdline, just pick an empty space and get your picnic out. There will be lots of childre...
Quorn Bus Rally and Railcar Gala at the GCR, 18th may 2024
Просмотров 434 месяца назад
This was a trek to get to but I'm so glad I made the effort, a really stunning display by several organisations in fantastic weather conditions too. A DMU gala on the Great Central Railway was also combined with the bus rally which opened up even more opportunities, AND they had a couple of steam engines out too. Something for everyone. My ultimate would have been if a Metrobus had appeared too...
sanicole sunset 2022 f 16 slow
Просмотров 404 месяца назад
this is the wonderful Belgian F-16 twilight display from the 2022 Sanicole Airshow slowed down by about 30% because I just felt like it :-)
an 8 out of 10 kinda day, 2nd May 2024 around Merseyside
Просмотров 1,1 тыс.4 месяца назад
an 8 out of 10 kinda day, 2nd May 2024 around Merseyside
A rather gratuitous amount of 507 023 on the West Kirby line, 2nd May 2024
Просмотров 5324 месяца назад
A rather gratuitous amount of 507 023 on the West Kirby line, 2nd May 2024
trawls through the hard drive - a Mini Merseyside adventure, 25th June 2015
Просмотров 4815 месяцев назад
trawls through the hard drive - a Mini Merseyside adventure, 25th June 2015
59 varieties (or "Let's Try that Again, Shall We?")
Просмотров 6605 месяцев назад
59 varieties (or "Let's Try that Again, Shall We?")
12 line up for the Merseyrail stakes - April 11th 2024 on Merseyside
Просмотров 2,6 тыс.5 месяцев назад
12 line up for the Merseyrail stakes - April 11th 2024 on Merseyside
Spring for us, late Autumn for the 507s - Merseyrail 4th April 2024
Просмотров 1,1 тыс.6 месяцев назад
Spring for us, late Autumn for the 507s - Merseyrail 4th April 2024
A Triple bypass at Fisherman's Path 21st March 2024
Просмотров 1996 месяцев назад
A Triple bypass at Fisherman's Path 21st March 2024
"Hope" isn't lost, it's just retiring - Merseyside 5th March 2024
Просмотров 1 тыс.6 месяцев назад
"Hope" isn't lost, it's just retiring - Merseyside 5th March 2024
Paint your Palette Yellow and Grey (blue too if you're lucky) - Merseyrail 15 feb 2024
Просмотров 7927 месяцев назад
Paint your Palette Yellow and Grey (blue too if you're lucky) - Merseyrail 15 feb 2024
Last Day of the First Month - Merseyrail 31st jan 2024
Просмотров 1,2 тыс.7 месяцев назад
Last Day of the First Month - Merseyrail 31st jan 2024
4 F 15s through cad west 1st February 2024
Просмотров 1538 месяцев назад
4 F 15s through cad west 1st February 2024
At last - it's Lakenheath! part three - January 19th 2024
Просмотров 398 месяцев назад
At last - it's Lakenheath! part three - January 19th 2024
At last - it's Lakenheath! part two - January 18th 2024
Просмотров 198 месяцев назад
At last - it's Lakenheath! part two - January 18th 2024
At last - it's Lakenheath! part one - January 17th 2024
Просмотров 238 месяцев назад
At last - it's Lakenheath! part one - January 17th 2024
Great video
Is thaken by Dale beside him
New version
very very late to the video and sadly with now only 6 operational 507s remaining. the loud motors are caused by wear in the gears that move the train, the more wear the louder the train basically, and yes its possible to get thrash from a 507. if your looking for a 507 with loud motors to go on as of now it would be 018, sadly theyre only run as required now so its luck to have them out. hope this helped
Great catch! Would you be good with me including this video in my Weekly Dose of Aviation? Of course, you will be credited in both the video and the description, as usual. Thanks!
Great captures! Would you be okay with me featuring the compressor stall in my series Weekly Dose of Aviation? Of course you will be credited both in the video and in the description. Thanks!
sorry for late reply, feel free to use if it is still of interest 👍
@@cjbirkett I appreciate it!
@lucaas no prob, a lot of ppl have commented saying it was afterburner blowout, not a compressor stall. I don't know enough about these things but on my scanner the crew definitely mentioned a compressor stall after it happened - they may have been going through some sort of checklist. Again ppl with far more knowledge than me will know otherwise. All I know was it looked spectacular but I'm glad I wasn't in the cockpit!!! Best wishes
Lovely video
Birky!
D D D Dan!
Cool vid ! I'd love to feature this video in one of my videos , would that be okay ? Of course , I'll provide link to this video in the description. Thanks !
A great video, Thank you 😊😊😊 hope you're well 😊😊
hi and many thanks as always for your kind words. Hope things are good with you - i've booked on the 15th September Wirral line tour which I hope will be as enjoyable as the 508 one last year! Best wishes
@@cjbirkett likewise
Fantastic captures! May I feature this last takeoff in one of my next episodes? Of course with a link back to your original video. All the best to you :)
Hi, yes feel free to include - glad you liked the footage, best wishes 👍
@@cjbirkett Awesome, thanks!
Absolute music 🎶
Merseyrail is the best Metro Rail company in UK! Fact! The new 777 class trains are owned by the Metro Region and the whole we be brought back into public ownership ship when the Stadler/Abeilio contract expires. The old 507/508 class are used only in emergency now. The 777d are great for wheelchair users - level ride on and dedicated spaces. Many Merseyrail stations are fully accessible using ramps or lifts. I can even fit in the small platform lift at Liverpool James St! I get on/off at Birkenhead North which has 630 car park spaces and 35 Blue Badge bays! Some of the 777s have battery power and allow them to travel to Headbolt Lane on the unelectrified section. I look forward to further extensions in the future such as Widnes or Helsby or Woodchuch, Wirral. I've been on the Southport and Ormskirk lines in my powered wheelchair! Great! Highly recommended!
UNITS SEEN DURING THE ELECTION DAY SPECIAL 4th JULY 2024 No Chester/Ellesmere Port services noted (abstained?) NEW BRIGHTON SERVICES: 777 006, 009, 030 WEST KIRBY SERVICES: 777 005, 020, 023 SOUTHPORT/HUNTS X SERVICES: 507 003+007, 016+018, 017+023 / 777 002, 008, 018, 024, 025, 027, 034 KIRKBY SERVICES: 777 142, 144(!!!!!!), 148 ORMSKIRK SERVICES: 777 003, 007, 010+026, 014, 019, 049 MISCELLANEOUS SIGHTINGS NEWTON-LIVERPOOL ONBOARD 185 108 EDGE HILL 60047, 69001 BIRKENHEAD NORTH 507 001 NEW BRIGHTON 507 029+010, 777 036 MOORFIELDS: 507 029+010 ECS LIVERPOOL LIME STREET 331 010, 110
Saturday 18th May 2024 Vehicles on Display CBC 921 1939 AEC Renown Leicester City Transport KHA 311 1949 BMMO C1 Midland Red OVL 473 1960 Bristol Lodekka Lincolnshire Roadcar 9 RDV 1964 AEC, Reliance Devon General BHA 656C 1965 BMMO CM6, Midland Red OAX 9F 1968 Bristol RELH, Red & White XRB 415L 1972 Leyland Nationa, l Midland General TCH 274L 1973 Bristol RE, Trent NNN 7M 1974 Bristol RELH6L, East Midlands KAU 564V 1980 Leyland Leopard, Barton W645 FUM 2000 Volvo B10M, National Holidays 405 MDV 2006 Volvo B7TL Wright, G H Watts W645 FUM 2000 Volvo B10M, National Holidays In Service Saturday 18th May - Subject to availability on the day KLB 596 1950 AEC RM, Browns Blue -London Transport FJF 193 1950 Leyland PD2 Leicester City Transport HWV 294 1952 Bristol KSW Wilts & Dorset OVB 345 1954 Trojan Napier Aircraft Company TBC 163 1958 Leyland PD3 Leicester City Transport TBC 164 1958 Leyland PD3 Leicester City Transport 805 EVT 1960 AEC Reliance Potteries Motor Traction WLT 655 1961 AEC Routemaster Confidence Bu 217 AJF 1961 AEC Bridgemaster Leicester City Transport 5185 HA 1963 Leyland Leopard Midland Red 433 MDT 1963 Leyland Tiger Cub Doncaster Corporation 90 HBC 1964 Leyland PD3 Leicester City Transport DBC 190C 1965 AEC Renown Leicester City Transport FJF 40D 1966 AEC Renown Leicester City Transport JVV 267G 1968 Daimler CVG6 Northampton Transport PHA 505G 1968 BMMO S22 Midland Red RHA 919G 1968 BMMO S23 Midland Red ARY 225K 1972 Scania BR111MH Leicester City Transport BJF 999K 1972 AEC Reliance Straws JHA 227L 1973 Leyland Leopard Midland Red ACT 540L 1973 Leyland Atlantean Delaine UFX 360L 1973 Bedford VAL Ron W Dew & Son GJF 301N 1975 Scania Metropolitan Leicester City Transport OJD 858R 1977 Leyland National Chase Bus TBC 50X 1982 Dennis Dominator Leicester City Transport FUT 240V 1980 Dennis Dominator Leicester Citybus EAP 984V 1980 Bristol VR Midland Fox/Southdown EEH 902Y 1983 Leyland Olympian Midland Red G918 LHA 1989 Leyland Olympian Midland Red TBC 50X 1981 Dennis Dominator Leicester City Transport EKA 220Y 1982 Leyland Tiger/Duple, Merseyside PTE D113 GHY 1987 Volvo B10M, Badgerline YXI 6327 (F741 ENE) 1988 Volvo B10M/Van Hool, ex Shearings - Peelings Coaches MUI 7939 199X Volvo Olympian, Orbit Coaches TRY 122H 1969 Bristol RELL6L
Leave it to good ol' Dale to show us "ludicrous" camera angles 😊 Hope all's well with you there, old friend 😊
Many thanks Indy, i was obviously in a quirky mood this day! Best wishes and Good health to you!
What was the last time they ran on the metro
507018 always has and always will be my favourite 507
it is a monster isn't it! 008 was another great one as well...
@@cjbirkett008 Should have stayed longer
A brilliant video, much enjoyed and much appreciated. 😊😊😊
Many thanks for the kind comment. It is getting difficult to get much variety into these Merseyrail videos now that there's so few 507s left so when something slightly unusual turns up, like the 156 turning up on the Chat Moss working, it's very helpful!
@cjbirkett yes I agree with you on the lack of variety, I was spotting at Huyton not so long ago,and the vast majority of units were 331,s. I miss the 319,s and the Merseyrail rail peps,the old trains had character. Keep safe.
Sitting In the front left seat on the 400 to the airport or the 184 to Uppermill. Classic.
yes that was my favourite too! Legendary buses
i saw this on the 590 service a few times Rochdale to Halifax can just image this if still in PSV use been used to Huddersfield on the 184 service
Yes I've seen pictures of them on the 590 from many years ago - ironically my Dad now lives in Walsden so i would have used that route to visit him
1:42:39 Ignore me awkwardly bimbling past you there! 🤣
All part of the fun of the day i think! It was a very enjoyable occasion to be part of so hope you had a good time too! Maybe we'll bimble past each other when the 507 tour runs!
I remember these buses and exact livery when I used to catch the 427 into Oldham in the late 90's early 00's 👌🏼Either a Leyland Olympian, Atlantean or an MCW Metrobus 🙂
Tomato soup at its best!
@@cjbirkett 😄 It's just missing the Heinz label 👍🏼
Great video mate
Thanks for the kind comment 👍it really is starting to feel like the end of an era now isnt it
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
A great video . I'll miss the 507,608,s.I haven't made my mind up regards the 777,s just yet. But the pep,s had character. 😊😊😊
Thanks for the kind comment, sorry your original one got deleted when I had to reupload the video! 777s will definitely have some living up to do after the old guard depart
@@cjbirkett Thank 😊
Brings back memories for me riding on GM Buses in the 90's. That distinctive Metrobus gearbox whining noise as it changes down when coming to a stop 🙂
That sound brings so many memory's loved the sound so much
...and the timestamps are off!!!... 0:00:01 - Inbound to Liverpool the Edge Hill 60 posse are 021 and 087 today 0:00:24 - 507 029 departs for New Brighton then 007 turns up on a West Kirby train! We nip to Central and see some 777 departures, with one terminating at Rock Ferry 0:06:27 - Obeying the sign we first see 507 033/003 leave for Ormskirk then 507 023/021 arrive. A surprise is 777 142 departing for Southport! We join 507 021 up to Kirkdale 0:11:23 - 507 city at Kirkdale. 021/023 depart north and 015/010 arrive south. The last chance to capture scenes like this unfortunately so make the most. Next in northbound is 507 028/017 so join 017 up to Orrell Park 0:17:35 - The next southbound, and 5th set out is "big blue" 507 001 with 014. We pick 014 to journey down to Sandhills. The train reverses here due to running late so I now join the 001 end (check out the full empty coach at this point!) alighting at Old Roan 0:27:04 - 014/001 head to Ormskirk with 017/028 returning to Liverpool. Next southbound is 015/010 with 033/003 crossing us here, again a scene soon to disappear 😞. We elect for 010 and hop to Aintree to see ppl preps well in hand with some groovy Merseyrail ads on show too 0:32:56 - Fittingly its "Red Rum" 021wih 023 in next so head to Maghull at the 023 end before swapping for 033 (trailing 003 - loving all these 6-cars!) back to Kirkdale 0:45:38 - Some Kirkdale happenings now with an 8 car 777 heading out to form an Aintree shuttle whilst 777 002 has a spruce up in the carriage wash. 014/001 head back north, 023/021 south and a Headbolt guest stars too. Another 777 twin takes race goers to Aintree 0:52:31 - 033/003 are Ormskirk bound, we join 017/028 back to Sandhills. 021/023 are seen then it's 777 142 that arrives so take advantage of the rarity and charging facilites onboard! 507 011 looks very forlorn in the carriage sidings (will it carry passengers again?) 0:58:13 - Back underground and after a 6 car vacates Central we cut to Hamilton Square for the dodgy camera angle segment. We then partake in 507 029 to Wallasey Village with 016 just visible in Birkenhead North shed. Some 777 rooftops depart North then 507 007 appears so we head to West Kirby. Don't blink or you'll miss the 230 leaving Bidston on the return 1:15:24 - More departing rooftops then extra dodgy camera angles at Moorfields. We now join 507 028 out to Kirkdale 1:21:34 - A shuttle set heads out from Kirkdale to pick up the crowds at Aintree with a flyby for good measure. Some other general scenes (note some shuttles displaying "Grand National") then onto 015 up to Maghull North complete with irritating passengers. A quick hop back to Maghull with 017 follows 1:31:45 - Onto 014 again to eventually make Ormskirk! Town Green/Aughton Park were being served by alternate trains so we miss one out. We see a Northern 150 connecting for Preston then we're back onto 014 for the next southbound, and what an experience that will be! 1:45:38 - Old Roan looks peaceful enough but then its Aintree. At 6pm. WEDGE EXPRESS! We get them all on then head to the city (including someones head apparently). 1:51:17 - time to join 003 (all 12 out had for haulage now!) to eventually arrive at Kirkdale with some more general views including a circling sightseeing plane 1:59:15 - Red Rum 021, attending it's last National chase with 023 perform a lovely sparky Ormskirk bound departure before 015/010 arrive to end our day (always did get a number 10 home!). A slightly different Edge Hill posse of 66 743 (in Royal Scotsman livery) and 69 002 close the video at dusk!
Great video
Many thanks, was a very enjoyable day, albeit tinged with sadness knowing you wouldn't see scenes like it again.
My vote is Version 1.
A fantastic video, Thank you 😊😊😊
thanks for the kind comments, really not long left for these fine units now. It's the Grand National this week which will hopefully see some extra activity but after that only 3 x 6 car units diagrammed on the Southport line from now on so unless covering for unavailable 777s or untrained crews there's not diagrammed to be any out on the other lines. Hopefully the farewell tour will still happen later in the year
@@cjbirkett I will miss the 507,s they had a certain character about them. I haven't fully made my mind up about the 777,s yet.
@lovefive5733 I think once the 777s settle down, they will be perfectly acceptable trains, but they certainly don't have the character or quirks as the 507s and 508s I am more or less the same age as the older trains, so they're all I've ever known really on Merseyside. its quite hard to contemplate travelling around Liverpool without them being around . I'm just glad I've been able to get as much video as possible over the last few years to remember them by!
Grear video keep it up
Many thanks for the kind comment, I'll be out later this week to check out the Grand National arrangements- should be 6 cars on the Ormskirk line
UNITS NOTED ON 5TH MARCH 2024 CHESTER SERVICES:- 777 006, 015, 016, 019, 022, 025 ELLESMERE PORT SERVICES:- 777 001, 024 NEW BRIGHTON SERVICES:- 507 021, 028, 029 WEST KIRBY SERVICES:- 507 018 / 777 004, 008, 013, 026 SOUTHPORT/HUNTS X SERVICES:- 507 003, 007, 016, 020, 030, 033 / 777 005, 027, 028, 030, 031, 034 KIRKBY SERVICES:- 777 142, 150 ORMSKIRK SERVICES:- 507 010 / 777 007, 009, 018, 023, 140 MISCELLANEOUS:- 150 125 (Wigan-Liverpool), 507 031 (New Brighton sidings), 507 002 (ECS Hamilton Square), 507 017 / 777 013 (Birkenhead North depot), 507 014 (ECS James Street), 777 003, 011 (8 car testing, Freshfield), MPV unit (Freshfield) 507 002 last run to BN, withdrawn 4th March 507 020 and 507 031 subsequently withdrawn 12th March 507 030 withdrawn at Southport 5th March after arriving on 16.41 ex Hunts X (working seen at Freshfield)
Nice video my favourite station is hamilton square and my favourite platform 3 and i like the trains coming out of the tunnel arriving in
A very interesting video, thank you for you for uploading this video 😊😊
It was quite a varied day (I didn't plan things that way, just the luck of the day I picked to go into town) so was glad with how things turned out. Many thanks for your kind comments, take care
Thank you. Keep well😊
A great video.Thank you for uploading this 😊😊
many thanks for the kind comment, best wishes
@@cjbirkett Thank you. Keep well.
Good to know you're kicking, pally 🙂 Wish you'd say a bit on these videos and let us see you though! Maybe at the end of the next one 😊
Ooh I think that may break the internet if I actually appeared! You do get the occasional "cameo" reflection when we go through a tunnel though. Thanks for the kind comment Indy, it's lovely to know you're still around as well.
Some thoughts about the old versus new debate. It's getting quite de rigeur at this point in proceedings to indulge in some 777 hate-bashing but I really don't want to join in - I can't say that I hate them, just that they leave no impression on me whatsoever. The enthusiast in me willl never rate them like their predecessors but that is as much for the nostalgic and treasured memories I have of days spent on Merseyrail, particularly with my Gran going off on tonnes of Summer Saveaway/Zone Ticket adventures. It was a cheap day out for her, and I was fascinated by Liverpools own "London Underground" and the trains that operated it. Plus all the different bus types that we encountered on all those very handy circular services that you could go and get on just before the evening peak restrictions started at 4 and get back off in town at around twenty to 6 and head off to Wimpys. The units themselves I did think were simply fantastic (especially the ones that went ticka-ticka-ticka like the 304s, had mysterious blanked off door panels and plunged you into semi darkness whenever you went over a current gap!) but they were of a basic design that is now quite outdated. They were built well, and their longevity has proved that to all but they are certainly not modern. Wifi, charging points and easy access are not just expected but in daily use virtually everywhere else on the UK rail network and the people of Merseyside deserve to have all those perks just like anywhere else. The new trains are just that...new. These days that means complicated electronics, safety systems and much else. Yes, their introduction has been somewhat prolonged, for several reasons, but once they...eventually..... settle down (and they are beginning to do that now) they will become perfectly acceptable, stylish units forthe people of Liverpool and its environs. I'd certainly take one over a 331 any day. The thing that will take a long time to win me, and many enthusiasts over, is the lack of CHARACTER. That is what the old guard had in spades and they'll be a difficult act to follow (I'm sure there are many out there who said exactly the same things about the 502/503s being withdrawn and their replacement with our beloved 507s and 508s!). The worst thing a train can have is no character and sadly very little "modern" stock does (honourable exceptions being the quite frankly MYLORDS class 68s!) So there's no hatred towards 777s from me, but there's no attachment to them either. There's definitely some quirks to them and maybe over time that will develop into a following. I'll believe it when I see it, however.
And now this too has gone for scraps
UNITS SEEN ON 4TH JANUARY: Chester services - 777 003/006/013/023/030 Ellesmere Port Services - -507 032, 777 007/019 New Brighton Services - 507 016/023/029 777 036 West Kirby Services - 777 010/014/015/020/028 Southport/Hunts X Services - 507 001/002/007/011/014/015/017/018, 508 104, 777 016 Kirkby Services - 777 146/148/152 Ormskirk Services - 777 004/012/017/026/031 Miscellaneous - 507 003, 508 108, 777 014, 507 001 (Birkenhead North Depot), 508 114 (James Street ecs) 507 004, 777 011, 777 021 (Southport sidings/wall sidings)
Now this was the oldest one left when I worked there, and was a star performer! And listen out there folks, its fully automatic, changing gear without a 3 month pause!
Good to see you're still enjoying the rails after all these years. They should make you the UK's Honorary Rail Ambassador 🙂
Hi Indy! Many thanks for the kind comment and thanks as always for your epic Christmas Card! There a lot more professional video guys out there than me but I enjoy taking footage - especially of the trains in this video which are now 45 years old and being withdrawn - yes my local trains are the oldest in the country! Very attached to these trains as i've grown up with them. Progress can't be stopped and all that but it's still a shame that they have to depart. Really hope all is good with you, take care and thanks again!