British Rail Class 508 - Fleet Information

Fleet Information

• Originally the 508s were numbered 508001-508043.
• When they moved to Merseyside they were renumbered 508101-508143 to avoid confusion with the Class 507s.
• The Merseyrail 508s were refurbished in 2003/04, the first unit to re-enter service being 508110. The final unit to leave for the works for refurbishment was formerly black-striped 508137.
• SET units were renumbered as 508/2 when they were refurbished in 1996. 508203/205/207/208/210/211 were further overhauled at Wabtec, Doncaster in 2007.
• Silverlink units were renumbered as 508/3 when they were refurbished in 2003. The sub class was created as the units were modified to make them compatible with Class 313s for operation on Euston to Watford Junction services by Silverlink.
• Both Southeastern and London Overground have withdrawn their fleets for replacement - Southeastern have been able to cascade existing rolling stock to the Sheerness and Medway lines, while the London Bridge via Redhill service has been transferred to Southern; London Overground have fully introduced their new Class 378 units.

Network Rail's Route Utilisation Strategy for the Merseyside region has called for an expansion to Merseyrail's current fleet to allow for both additional services and lengthening of trains to six cars. In December 2009 it was reported by various sources that the former Southeastern and London Overground units would be transferred to Merseyrail. Two ex London Overground units were moved to Warrington Arpley yard in November 2009, but returned south soon after. Meanwhile the ex Southeastern 508s were moved to Telford Railfreight Terminal for storage between May 2010 and February 2011 before they moved to Eastleigh for further storage in late 2011. On 14 August 2012 508212 was moved to the Fire Training College at Moreton-in-Marsh.