Rail fan buys his own £1 train to save it from landfill

A rail enthusiast has realized his childhood dream after buying a 1970s commuter train for £1 – to save it from scrap metal. Robert Hampton, 41, felt he now owned his own “massive” Hornby locomotive after agreeing to take charge of the three-carriage Merseyrail train in September.

The IT consultant had fond childhood memories of the network, which he used for trips to the beach and days out on the town with friends. So when he heard that new state-of-the-art trains were set to take the 46-year-old Class 507 out of service, he took action to preserve the “Scouse icon”.

Robert negotiated with the owners, Angel Trains, to buy one of the vehicles Queen Elizabeth traveled on when she opened the network in October 1978. But the preservation society he founded now needs to raise £10,000 to move the approximately 180 feet (55 m). long train to a heritage railway on the way.

Robert, from Liverpool, said: “It feels like I have my own massive Hornby train. But I don’t think it will sink in until I’m standing there at the heritage railway and it actually rolls off the back of the truck and is back on track.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always been interested in trains and riding them. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work and things like that.

“So to really get to this point where we have everything in place is very satisfying. It’s been quite a journey and hopefully we’re close to the end.”

Robert said his fascination with railways began as a child watching Thomas the Tank Engine on TV. But as he got older, his interests spread to the history and workings of various locomotives – reserving a particular affinity for his local Merseyrail trains.

He founded the Class 507 Preservation Society after it was announced that the old trains would be replaced by new Class 777 engines four years ago. And after some convincing, Angel Trains agreed to sell him one of the old models.

He said: “I spent a few years hoping someone would get one and keep one for the future. I thought if no one else was going to do anything, maybe it was time to step up.

“I approached Angel Trains, who are the owners, and it took a bit of convincing that they were serious. Once I assured them that we had a plan and that the train would be in good hands, they were actually very helpful. They were very kind and keen to see one preserved too, otherwise they will all go to landfill.”

Robert said the Tanat Valley Light Railway, in Nantmawr, Shropshire, had agreed to host the train once it went out of service in September. And he had already started helping prepare the track where the train would be preserved for future generations.

He said: “It’s like the Hornby train set is big. I happily messed around with piecing pieces together of that size (for patterns).

“But when you suddenly get to the big ones and you’re carrying actual lengths of rail that weigh quite a bit, it’s a whole different story. It was fun, but it was a big learning curve.”

Robert said the train chosen by his society had specific historical significance because of its royal connections.

He said: “It was one of the first of its kind in service and in October 1978 Queen Elizabeth II visited. She did the official opening ceremony for the Merseyrail network, which is the system these trains run on, and she actually traveled on this train. That’s why we’re really pleased to have been able to get this little piece of Merseyside history and keep it.”

Robert said he and his company would now have to find the funds to bring the train to its final resting place on the road.

He added: “It’s specialist work, it has to go on an 18-wheeler that can carry it. That’s where the expense comes in and that’s where we’re trying to raise money.”

Visit the society’s website to donate.