Train which carried late Queen saved from the scrapyard after new owner paid £1
A rail enthusiast has bought a 1970s commuter train that once carried Queen Elizabeth for just £1 – but he needs to raise £10,000 to move it.
Robert Hampton said he feels like he owns a ‘massive Hornby locomotive’ after taking on the three-coach Merseyrail train in September.
The 41-year-old has fond childhood memories of the trains, which he travelled on during trips to the sea and days out with friends in Merseyside.
So when he heard they were to be replaced by state-of-the-art models he decided he wanted to try and save the ‘Scouse icon’.
Robert contacted the owners Angel Trains and they agreed to hand over one of the trains which Queen Elizabeth rode when she opened the network in 1978.
It only cost him £1, but the preservation society he founded now needs to raise £10,000 to move the roughly 180ft (55m) long train to a heritage railway by road.
Robert, from Liverpool, said: ‘Since I was a little kid, I’ve always been interested in trains and rides on them. I’ve always been fascinated with how they work and things like that.
‘So to actually get to this point where we have everything in place is very satisfying. It’s been quite a journey and hopefully, we’re near the end of it.”
Robert said his fascination for rail began with watching Thomas the Tank Engine on TV.
But as he grew older, his interests spread into the history and working of different locomotives – especially local Merseyrail trains.
When it was announced four years ago the old trains would be replaced he founded the Class 507 Preservation Society.
Robert had spent ‘quite a few years’ hoping someone would save one of trains to preserve it for the future.
He added: ‘I sort of thought if no one else is going to do anything, maybe it’s time for me to step up.
‘I approached Angel Trains, who are the owners, and it took maybe a little bit of convincing that I was serious.
‘Once I assured them we had a plan and the train would be in good hands, they were actually very helpful.
‘They were very kind and keen to see one preserved as well, otherwise they are all going to go to the scrapyard.’
Robert said Tanat Valley Light Railway, in Nantmawr, Shropshire, agreed to house the train once it came out of service in September.
And he has already begun helping to prepare the track where the train will be preserved for future generations.
He said: ‘It’s like Hornby train set writ large. I’ve happily messed around with putting track pieces together that size [for models].
‘But when you suddenly get to the full-size ones and you’re carrying around actual lengths of rail that weigh quite a lot, it’s a different story entirely.
‘It’s been fun, but it’s been a big learning curve.’
Robert said the train his society had chosen was of particular historical importance due to its royal connections.
He said: ‘It was one of the first of its type in service and back in October 1978, Queen Elizabeth II visited.
‘She did the official opening ceremony of the Merseyrail network, which is the system on which these trains run, and she actually travelled on this train.
‘That’s why we’re quite excited that we’ve been able to get this little piece of Merseyside history and keep it.”
Robert said he and his society would need to now find the funds to bring the train to its final resting place by road.
He added: ‘It’s a specialist job, it has to go on an 18-wheel lorry that can carry it.
‘That’s where the expense comes in and that’s where we’re trying to raise money.’
To donate visit class507.org.uk/donate/
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