This was only my second railtour in 26 years and only Liz's second tour; her first was our Underground & Overground Explorer on 26 Jan 2020 with Merseyrail. When I mentioned this latest tour to Liz, she jumped at the chance to do another one of the Merseyrail system. Anyway, the day dawned and our train to Liverpool Central was 507011 working the 08.57 Southport to Hunts Cross. At Liverpool I spotted a few familiar faces from our excellent Liverpool historical walking tour the week before (view report) which raised £500 towards today's total. After a quick trip to Greggs (other bakeries are available) for food, the tour arrived bang on time into Liverpool Central P2. We boarded coach 'B' and settled into our seats for what was due to be a great day of track ticking off and adventures.

Our first stop was the Reversing Siding at Liverpool Central just past Liverpool Central South Jn in the Southport bound Up tunnel between the Up and the Down lines. Interestingly it has been lengthened recently to accommodate a 2x4-car Class 777 but there is no extra track. How come‽ Well, the end of line is up against a rock face, a big expensive job to lengthen it, so they have moved the signal nearer to the junction instead. No new microgricing even. We sat here for a while in the dark, alas, no passing trains which we were hoping for, and then we were off again back into Liverpool Central P1, the second of six visits our tour would make in total to the station during the day.

Next, we were off for the first of three bidirectional moves, one of the first big ticks for both of us because it's not often you run wrong line on Merseyrail, especially through tunnel sections. (Put it this way, I have lived in Merseyrail land for 26 years and only twice have I experienced 'wrong direction' running on service trains but that's another story.) You do need to pay close attention on a BLS tour. As we glided through Moorfields P1 in the wrong direction, Liz and I both remarked as to how deserted the platforms were as we had expected loads of bemused 'Normals' getting up/pointing in horror that their train was going the wrong way (that would happen later though). Once out in the open, we crossed back over onto the down Southport Line at Leeds St Jn. Our next destination was Ormskirk with a brief photo stop at Maghull, where a few 'Normals' tried to hitch a free ride but our stewards are well 'trained' and efficient. It was on the outward trip that we both finally met our BLN Editor and North West Regional Editor. It was good to be able to put faces to the names and introduce Liz who had contributed pictures for BLN 1433 North West section.

After Ormskirk we had a spirited run (quite a change for the drivers who are so used to stopping at all stations) back to Walton Jn, reversing via the rare trailing crossover, and then we headed up the Headbolt Lane line as far as Fazakerley Jn, where the line singles and another reversal took place.






It was around this time that some of the various merchandise sellers on the tour appeared; I bought various things including badges to support the good causes. Then it was back towards Kirkdale where at Kirkdale North Jn we took the facing crossover for the first of our two depot trips, cruising through the North Run Round Line.

It was then that Liz remarked that the maps for both depots we visited and the tour booklet were very well thought out; an invaluable resource even for a complete novice like her. Our tour sat in the depot for about 20 mins and we saw a few Class 777s, including 777142 pass on a service from Headbolt Lane to Liverpool Central. Liz said that it was good to see 777s close up in the sidings at Kirkdale Depot. There was much squealing (of wheels not passengers) on Kirkdale Depot exit points as we used the trailing crossover at Kirkdale South Jn to regain the Up Ormskirk line.

At Sandhills, reversal was in P1 with loads of 'Normals' on the platform who strangely seemed to mainly ignore us while the driver changed ends. Next, we were off to do the second bidirectional move along the Up Southport in the Down direction to Bootle Jn. Like Moorfields, Bank Hall station was deserted as we passed through P1. The '5:08 Sunset' was now non-stop all the way to Hall Road; Liz noted that the scenery from Sandhills to Hall Road was a great comparison between industrial and rural, with views of the sea with much wildlife around on the latter section. After a brief photo stop at Hall Road and the Mobile Operations Manger on duty doing his thing, we were ready to proceed into the much sought after Wallside Siding, the former Depot headshunt here, with bushes brushing against the windows in places and we hadn't previously realised how long it was. End of line reached, we waited for the 12.06 Hunts Cross to Southport to pass, then reversed back into P2 much to the delight of the many photographers gathered on the end of the platform. Another fast run ensued on our way to Southport with an impromptu photo stop at Freshfields thrown in. Out tour arrived at Southport P2 for a lunch break with a long queue for the complimentary hot drink, kindly provided by Merseyrail, and a bargain 'meal deal lunch' (which could be ordered on the tour). Plenty of photos were taken and we could see how platforms will be extended at the buffer stop end for 2 x Class 777 units.












After Southport and a reversal at South Jn, we squealed round the extremely rusty, much requested, Birkdale Carriage Siding 4. It was originally part of the through curve that avoided Southport station creating a once triangular junction, latterly used to turn loco-hauled Manchester commuter turns ECS (with the occasional BLS member on board!). Pristine 777023 was next to us in Siding 3 for company.






A very fast run followed back to Sandhills, although we had to slow at Formby due to catching up the 13.54 Southport to Hunts Cross. After Sandhills, dropping down the hill towards Moorfields, we unexpectedly crossed to the Down Southport at Leeds St Jn. (A steward who was passing explained that somebody had made a call to ask if there was any chance that we could do the other tunnel and platform in the rare direction too). So, it came to pass that we ran through Moorfields Down P2 in the Up direction to reach Central P1 for a comfort break and photo stop. Hunts Cross was next on the itinerary and the very rare (for an EMU) P2, a quick photo stop and another loo queue. After a fast run through the south Liverpool suburbs, we were back in Central station for the fifth time.






As we sat in P2 waiting for the road to clear for the Stock Interchange/Holding Line, the platforms were three deep with 'Normals', all looking totally bewildered and confused as to why the doors of our train weren't opening. Then, signal ML27 cleared and we were away, taking a left turn at Paradise St Jn to access the Interchange Line at a sedate 5mph, with a full running commentary from our driver. He advised us that the wheel squeal was simply due to new brake blocks. This route was, of course, the original Mersey Railway passenger line from Liverpool Central low level to (Birkenhead) Hamilton Square and Rock Ferry - the original limits of electrification. We appeared into James Street P2 and, after a brief signal check, sped off towards Bidston and reversed in P2. At Bidston West Jn our tour accessed the Stabling Siding - once part of the third side of the triangular junction here.



A spirited fast run followed to West Kirby P2 for a brief photo stop, then back to Birkenhead North and through the rarely used P1 (Up Passenger Loop) nonstop to reverse at signal 564. Taking the Liverpool end trailing crossover, we ran through P3 and on to New Brighton. Despite the tour being called the '5:08 Sunset', sunset was at 16.48, so we were losing the light. At a rather dark and wet New Brighton there was another break and a further chance to buy merchandise. After departing, the tour reversed just outside the station at signal 606 to access Siding 1 (unusually, further from the running line than Siding 2). Next, it was off to Birkenhead Depot, accessed via the northwest end, very slowly taking No5 Road into the shed. The front of the train reached about halfway as there was a unit ahead.









Returning the way we came, the next reversal was clear of Bidston West Jn, to use the crossover to the Up West Kirby for a fast run to Liverpool Lime St deep level (Platform 'A') where Liz and I bailed.

This popular tour filled very quickly and it was noticeable, following Social Media advertising, how many locals had come along - including many families with children. All 250 participants seemed to have a good time, Liz and I certainly did. Overall, to sum up, a great day, loads of great track ticked off, big thanks to Merseyrail, our Society, the guys selling merchandise (of which I bought a lot) and everyone involved in arranging the tour. http://tinyurl.com/znv5vbzm (click 'BROWSE') is a video about the tour (2⅔ min) - featuring a well-known Fixtures Secretary and note the new headboard.

The tour had started from Chester P7B at 08.53, where most joined. It ran to Hooton bay P1 to reverse for an excursion to Ellesmere Port, returning to Hooton P2, then took the trailing crossover at Hooton North Jn. Bay P3 at Rock Ferry was also visited on the way into Liverpool. Returning from Lime Street (via Central station for the sixth and final time) in the evening our train crossed at Rock Ferry North Jn to run through Rock Ferry bidirectional P2 and back at South Jn. Then, at Hooton North Jn, it was over again to the Up Chester through P2 and back to the Down line at South Jn to complete all the Hooton crossovers. The Class 5:08 Sunset was at 19.15 in Chester P7A, running up to a Multipurpose Vehicle.

£12,700 (£500 from the walking tour) was donated to Merseyrail's good causes: ●KIND - helping children and families in Liverpool and Merseyside cope with the effects of poverty and disadvantage. ●SWACA - supporting Sefton's women, young people and children. ●Paper Cup Project - a Liverpool charity supporting local rough sleepers and homeless people.●Tam O'Shanter Cottage & Community Farm - aiming to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for kids and adults in Birkenhead