FRIENDS OF THE 502 GROUP

For those of you unable to visit the MTT open day on Sunday, the video below gives a flavour of the event.

Thanks to our member Paul Gorton for creating and sharing this video.

We’re pleased to inform you that, after two years of cancellations due to COVID, the Merseyside Transport Trust will return with their open day on 31st July 2022.

The MTT’s Burscough base will be open to the public, with bus rides, trade stands and – of course – the chance to climb aboard the 502 and see how the restoration is progressing.

Members of the 502 Group will be there to chat and answer your questions, and we will have our sales stand. If you haven’t yet picked up your copy of Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress, it will be on sale alongside many other items. For your convenience we can now accept credit and debit cards.

If you are travelling by train, there will be special connecting bus services from Burscough Bridge and Ormskirk stations.

For more details and bus timetables, please visit mttrust.co.uk

We’re pleased to report that as COVID restrictions lift, our 2022 diary is beginning to fill up with shows which we will be attending with our sales stand.

New for 2022 – we can now take card payments with Zettle, allowing for swift, safe transactions without the hassle of cash (although we will gladly take your cash from you too!)

The shows below have been confirmed. There will be more announcements throughout the year, so please keep checking back for updates.

• Rainhill Model Railway Show
  5th and 6th March 2022, 10am-5pm (4.30pm Sunday)
  Rainhill Village Hall, Weaver Avenue, Rainhill L35 4LU
  rainhillmrc.org.uk
• Toy & Collectors Fair
  29th May 2022, 10am-3pm
  Hulme Hall, Bolton Road, Port Sunlight, CH62 5DH
• The BIG Model and Hobby Show
  6th August 2022, 10am-4.30pm
  Aintree Racecourse, Princess Royal Exhibition Hall. L9 5AS
  modelandhobbyshow.com

Our book, Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress has proved a hit, not just on Merseyside but across the UK and around the world.

We have received orders from America, Australia, Austria and Japan, showing that our region’s transport network has interest and admirers all over the globe.

If you wish to order from overseas, please contact us – robert(at)class502.org.uk – and we will work out postage costs for you. If you are in the UK, place the order directly on our shop page.

If you’re in the UK, there’s still time to order our book Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress in time for Christmas.

The cut-off for orders is 10pm on Thursday 16th December. Any orders received by then will be sent out before the Royal Mail last posting date for Christmas.

At just £7.80 including p&p, it’s an ideal stocking filler for any rail enthusiast. Order now exclusively at class502.org.uk/shop.

We are thrilled to announce that Railways Illustrated has named our book, Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress, their “Product of the Month” in the December 2021 issue.

“With a well selected range of historic and general photos included, as well as a wide selection of maps, posters and publicity material, it is clear that a lot of time and research has been put into its production…The publishers are to be congratulated on such an outstanding piece of work.”

Many thanks to Railways Illustrated for featuring us and giving us such a glowing review! The full review can be found in the December 2021 issue of Railways Illustrated magazine, which is on newsstands now.

If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress from class502.org.uk/shop for just £7.80 (including UK P&P).

We are pleased to announce that 502 Group member and accomplished local author Martyn Hilbert will be presenting “Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress” to the Tramway & Light Railway Society’s Merseyside branch on Monday 15th November.

Martyn co-authored our Merseyrail 50 book as well as other recent works on Greater Manchester’s trains and the class 142 “Pacers”.

The venue is Sefton Park Community Association, 3 Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 3AG. Admission is £3 which includes refreshments served at a midpoint break. All are welcome to attend. The meeting convenes at 7.30pm.

We are proud to present our new book: Merseyrail: 50 Years of Progress, which is available to buy now.

Commemorating fifty years since the “Merseyrail” brand name first appeared on the region’s rail network, this book comprises 48 pages of A4, containing many rare and unseen photographs spanning the network’s history. The 502s, 503s, 507s, 508s and 777s are all represented. It includes a foreword from Zoe Hands, Chief Operating Officer of Merseyrail.

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A special video produced by one of our members, celebrates fifty years of progress on the region’s rail network.

Our group has produced a book to commemorate this milestone. Details of price and how to purchase will be announced shortly.