The ‘No Batteries Required’ charity tour of the Merseyrail system, by the Branch Line Society on March 6, covered the majority of the network using unit Nos. 508140 and 508141 and are seen passing Birkenhead North depot. As is customary with the BLS, the tour included a number of non-passenger sidings. The surviving 56 units covering both classes are due for replacement later this year with 53 four-car Class 777s built by Stadler.
BOB CRAGG
HASTINGS Diesels, operator of Southern Region ‘Thumper’ DEMU No. 1001 has outlined a number of provisional railtours with its heritage unit for this year.
Following on from the tour from Hastings to Alton and Alresford on April 2, Hastings Diesels has pencilled in plans for a tour to Worcester on May 7, Skegness on June 18 and Cambridge on September 17 – all starting from Hastings.
It must be stressed these tour dates are aspirational and are subject to cancellation, modification or even change of date, and for that reason Hastings Diesels say no bookings or reservations will be accepted until the destinations and dates are confirmed.