The "ticking" is actually only done by the 508s. It's the compressor motors for the brakes. Theres very few trains left on the mainline that make the sound now (455s do as well I believe), but most EMU classes built up to the mid 70s did it When the 313s were introduced, they had a new syle of brake compressor that made a different noise, I can't describe it really but it was more like a vibrating noise than "ticka-ticka-ticka" which the older trains did. The 314s and 507s also have these newer compressors, however the technology at the time could only supply to a maximum of 3 coaches so when the 315s and 508s were rolled out (as 4 cars sets) they had to use reclaimed older brake motor compressors from withdrawn stock. The 508s are the real oddity because, of course, when transferring to Merseyside in the early 80s they then lost 1 coach per set (which was used to strengthen the then-new 455s on Southern region) so are 3 car sets with old brake compressors!
If it's these single sets of ticking sounds that can be heard here from a Class 507 at 11:32. Then that's not the compressor motor. That's the air valves on the bottom of the compressed air tanks popping little bits of air out of the tanks to cycle the air and prevent a build-up of water vapour in the tanks. Both the Class 507s and 508s make this air valve ticking sound. The compressed air is used to operate the train's brakes and doors. The compressor motor sucks in and compresses the air inside the air tanks. For the Class 507, it makes this continuous fast buzzing sound heard here at 19:22. While for the Class 508 it makes this slower chugga chugga ticking sound heard here at both 16:20 and 21:52. The class 507 has a single fast-speed buzzing sound compressor. While class 508 has 2 slow-speed chugga chugga ticking sound compressors. The reason the class 508s have 2 compressors is because they originally began life in London as larger 4-car trains. But when they were brought to Merseyside, they were reduced to 3-car trains to match the size of class 507s, which have always been a 3-car trains.
@andywilliams7323 thanks for this much more detailed explanation! I think the ones used in 508s, 315s and 455s were reclaimed from older withdrawn southern stock so are probably quite vintage now!!
![After alot of awkward grunting we eventually got it up! [Life in New Zealand #910]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5fS5WQb38t8/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video mate
UNITS SEEN ON TODAYS TRIP
Chester services - 507 001, 007, 021, 023, 031 / 508 114 / 777 002
Ellesmere Port services - 507 011 / 777 001
New Brighton services - 507 013 / 508 108, 124, 137
West Kirby services - 507 020, 028 / 508 125 / 777 013
Southport/ Hunts X services - 507 015, 017, 018, 029, 030 / 508 103, 112, 117, 120, 130, 131, 136, 141
Ormskirk services - 507 010 / 508 104 / 777 004, 006, 009, 018
Kirkby services - 777 007
MISCELLANEOUS SIGHTINGS -
Birkenhead North Depot - 230 010 / 507 002, 032
Bidston - 230 008 / 777 003
Rock Ferry - 777 010, 011
Hamilton Square - 507 014 / 508 139 ECS
Kirkdale Depot - 777 012, 146
Southport - 777 017, 023, 144
Edge Hill - 60 002, 056
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/preserve-a-class-507-emu
please consider donating to hopefully secure a home for 507 001 after retirement from service
What is the reason for the ticking?
The "ticking" is actually only done by the 508s. It's the compressor motors for the brakes. Theres very few trains left on the mainline that make the sound now (455s do as well I believe), but most EMU classes built up to the mid 70s did it
When the 313s were introduced, they had a new syle of brake compressor that made a different noise, I can't describe it really but it was more like a vibrating noise than "ticka-ticka-ticka" which the older trains did. The 314s and 507s also have these newer compressors, however the technology at the time could only supply to a maximum of 3 coaches so when the 315s and 508s were rolled out (as 4 cars sets) they had to use reclaimed older brake motor compressors from withdrawn stock. The 508s are the real oddity because, of course, when transferring to Merseyside in the early 80s they then lost 1 coach per set (which was used to strengthen the then-new 455s on Southern region) so are 3 car sets with old brake compressors!
If it's these single sets of ticking sounds that can be heard here from a Class 507 at 11:32. Then that's not the compressor motor. That's the air valves on the bottom of the compressed air tanks popping little bits of air out of the tanks to cycle the air and prevent a build-up of water vapour in the tanks. Both the Class 507s and 508s make this air valve ticking sound. The compressed air is used to operate the train's brakes and doors.
The compressor motor sucks in and compresses the air inside the air tanks. For the Class 507, it makes this continuous fast buzzing sound heard here at 19:22. While for the Class 508 it makes this slower chugga chugga ticking sound heard here at both 16:20 and 21:52.
The class 507 has a single fast-speed buzzing sound compressor. While class 508 has 2 slow-speed chugga chugga ticking sound compressors. The reason the class 508s have 2 compressors is because they originally began life in London as larger 4-car trains. But when they were brought to Merseyside, they were reduced to 3-car trains to match the size of class 507s, which have always been a 3-car trains.
@andywilliams7323 thanks for this much more detailed explanation! I think the ones used in 508s, 315s and 455s were reclaimed from older withdrawn southern stock so are probably quite vintage now!!
The "reclaimed" trailer coaches are still running on SWR at present, but I don't know how much longer for as the 455s are gradually getting replaced.