British Rail Class 508

Class of electric multiple unit

The British Rail Class 508 electric multiple units ("EMUs") were built by BREL at York works in 1979-80. They were the fourth variety of BR's then-standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs, eventually encompassing 755 vehicles and five classes (313/314/315/507/508). They have mostly worked on the Merseyrail network since 1983, and continue to do so, now refurbished by Alstom's Eastleigh Works.

British Rail Class 508
Class 508 at Liverpool Lime Street
In service1979 - present
ManufacturerBREL York
Refurbishment27 Merseyrail sets 2002-2004
Eastleigh Works
Number built43 trainsets
Formation3 cars per trainset (originally 4 cars)
Capacity192 seats (Merseyrail refurbished)
230 seats (Southeastern/London Overground)
Operator(s)Merseyrail
Southeastern
London Overground
Specifications
Car length19.80 m
Width3.58 m ??? 2.82m
Height2.82 m ??? 3.58m
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight104.5 t
Power output656 kW
Electric system(s)750 V DC 3rd rail
Track gauge1,435 mm
508138 bearing the 'Revised' livery, one of six 508s to receive this colourful variant.
A Class 508 in Connex livery leaving Norwood Junction.
508301 arrives at London Euston in October 2007, one month before becoming part of the London Overground fleet.
A Silverlink 508 at South Hampstead.

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