12 507s were fielded for service on all three days of the 2024 Grand National meeting, the last time so many will be out at once. From next week only 6 units will be needed to cover 3 southport line sixcar diagrams MonSat, so expect withdrawals to kick back in with a vengeance very soon.

The Ormskirk services returned to 100% old guard haulage for the three days. Thursday 11th April dawned with 001, 003, 010, 014, 015, 017, 021, 023, 028 and 033 all in use forming 5 sixcar sets. Over on the Wirral 007 and 029 also found use on West Kirby and New Brighton diagrams respectively.

This lengthy(!) video features rides on all of the units in operation during that first day with some time spent at Kirkdale also featuring the Aintree shuttles (in the hands of paired up 777s this year) and some depot movements too. Other stations on the Ormskirk line were also visited during the day.

Also captured was the unexpected sight of battery fitted 777 142 on Southport trains and the forlorn looking 507 011 in Southport sidings sitting out the weekend. 016 was also seen in Birkenhead North Depot away from the action but 018 was nowhere to be found I suspect indoors at Kirkdale but can't be certain.

014 made the best noises of the day for me, 007 sounding sweet with its dynamic brake plugged in too. 021 was a point of interest too, still sporting its "Red Rum" nameplates and bypassing its namesakes stomping ground many times over the event days an especially fitting touch being that it actually formed part of the last arrival at Ormskirk on the Saturday night possibly the last time a unit visits in regular use?? We shall have to wait and see.

6 are due to be withdrawn imminently 14 and 21, 28 and 33 and 11 and 15 (possibly in that order but not sure) will all be off lease by early May so it's really time to get out and catch these iconic machines before it gets to late.

Meanwhile, enjoy this last hurrah for these wonderful units, once again stepping up to the plate and seamlessly shifting thousands of racegoers to and from Aintree with minimal fuss and maximum reliability. They've really served us well over the years and will be missed immensely by many.

Kudos again to Merseyrail and partners for the hugely efficient execution of Liverpools highest profile sporting event of the year. There were undoubtedly a few headaches and grey hairs over the weekend but your staff coped admirably and professionally with the masses, a real credit to the companies involved and the region as a whole.

Thanks also for the fitting final fling for your elder statesman of the rails, though I appreciate this was dictated by operational necessity rather than satisfying enthusiasts. I am hugely grateful for the chance to have seen them end their careers on a high right at the forefront of operations at such a big ticket event, faithfully and unassumingly doing what they do best. Well done to all!

And we really have broken the word limit this time so timestamps are located in the comments section! Apologies!!

UNITS SEEN 11TH APRIL 2024

Chester Services : 777 005, 022, 041
Ellesmere Port Services : 777 001, 039
New Brighton Services : 507 029 / 777 008, 024, 025
West Kirby Services : 507 007 / 777 012, 014, 021, 030

Southport/Hunts X services : 777 002, 005, 006, 013, 016, 019, 034, 142
Ormskirk Services (all 507s) : 001+014 / 003 + 033 / 010 + 015 / 017 + 028 / 021 + 023
Kirkby Services : 777 140, 146, 152
Aintree shuttles : 777 010 + 031 / 777 003 + 007 / 777 017 + 028

Edge Hill sidings : 60 021, 60 087, 66 743, 69 002
Southport Sidings : 507 011
Southport Station : 777 026
Kirkdale carriage wash : 777 002
West Kirby Station : 777 014
Birkenhead North Depot : 507 016