April 2015

Latest report from Burscough

Posted by Robert Hampton on 12th April 2015 at 10:04 pm

Here is a quick update on some of the latest work that has been taking place at Burscough.

Bogies

When we took the flooring up in the trailer car this exposed the rear bogie and it was clear that they would need all the mud and rust scraping off. This was a particularly dirty job carried out over the winter period but once it had been cleaned the metal was in very good condition. It has now been painted in red oxide followed by a coat of black bitumen paint and the condition now looks as good as new.

The roof

At the same time that the rear bogie was being attended to, work started on the roof. All the old paint has now been painstakingly removed up to the double doors at the front of the train and red oxide has been applied. The roof is in good condition but work is required on most of the guttering. All the air vents have been removed and are now being fabricated separately.

We are always looking for volunteers to come down on Saturdays. There are plenty of things to do. You may well get dirty but it is very rewarding. Contact Martin Webb at martincwebb@btinternet.com.

Comments closed

The Lettuce Line – Talk by Keith Hick

Posted by Robert Hampton on 2nd April 2015 at 8:01 pm

Following on from the success of last September’s 50th Anniversary of Closure Tour of Southport to Preston railway route, Keith Hick will be presenting an illustrated talk with his unique personal images and knowledge at Southport Football Club’s Grandstand Bar, Haig Avenue, Southport PR8 6JZ commencing at 7.30pm on 29th April 2015. Keith Hick is a well known Southport local historian, author and railway enthusiast.

The evening is for the benefit of The Friends of 502 Group who are restoring the sole surving 502 Unit in Burscough. These electric multiple units were built in Derby in late 1930’s for Liverpool-Southport-Crossens and Liverpool-Ormskirk services. They were superseded by the present 507 and 508 units in the late 1970s.

Our unit ran on the Southport-Crossens service on the final day of electric services, Saturday 6th September 1964. Upon withdrawal from service in 1982 the unit became part of the National Collection in ownership of National Railway Museum who donated it to the 502 Group for restoration in 2011. In March 2012 we moved into Merseyside Transport Trust‘s large undercover facility in Osprey Place on Burcough Industrial Estate.

There is no charge for admittance but there will be ample opportunity for donations to the 502 Group’s Steel Appeal. We are about to order the new steel floor for the trailer coach. The first new sections should be delivered and in place for our open day on 12th July.

For more information contact Tony Kuivala, treasurer@class502.org.uk.