British Rail Class 508 - Liveries

Liveries

508s have appeared in many colours over their lifetimes, more so than any EMU of similar type.

• BR Blue and Grey (1979—1994): the initial livery stood the test of time, lasting until well into their careers on Merseyside. The units also carried the MPTE "69" logo and Merseyrail branding on the driver's side of the outer ends of the driving vehicles.
• Merseyrail Original (1993—2001; repaints 2001—2004): the original yellow livery was exclusive to Merseyside EMUs; this was a yellow basecoat with white around the windows and black and grey stripes.
• Merseyrail Revised (1999—2004): a simple variation of the original Merseyrail livery - no black stripe, and a lighter base yellow.
• Merseyrail Refurbished (2003—): radically different from the others, it involves a silver basecoat, with addition of yellow stripes which resemble those of a tiger. Additional 'M' branding appears on the front ends and on the sides, as does a 'Merseyrail' vinyl. Because the vinyl was purchased without graffiti protection, it does not wear well if vandalised; several sets are therefore running round the network with their 'M' logos missing or worn away.
• Connex Yellow and White (1996—2006): a white basecoat with some yellow effects down the sides.
• South Eastern Trains (2005—2006): A white background, with yellow and black side stripes. Unit 508208 was one of the first to receive this, in May 2005.
• Southeastern (April 2006—December 2008): A change is under way, with the doors being painted in the corporate lilac, the body sides will be the white, black and grey carried by the 465/466 fleet.

• Silverlink Metro (2004—): Silverlink's 508s' purple, green and silver livery was applied when they were modified in 2003.
• Capital of Culture advertising livery (2008—2009): one of the four sets in the promotional Capital of Culture liveries is a 508. This set, 508134, showed off the theme of creativity with a purple background. Photographs depicted focus on some of the weird and wonderful innovations from Liverpool, such as the SuperLambBanana. The colourful liveries met with mixed reactions from travellers. The purple train could most often be found working the Southport—Hunts Cross line.