Apprentices and Students visit 507001
Posted on 19th March 2025 at 7:45 pm
We were hard at work at on Thursday 13th March, giving 507001 a wash and brush up for a very special event at Alstom the following day.
On Friday 14th March, students from the University of Birmingham arrived at Alstom's Litchurch Lane works, where they were joined by apprentices from Alstom to see 507001 up close.
The group split into two, with half being given a guided tour of Alstom's Litchurch Lane works, and the other half spending time with 507001.
Tom Camps of Alstom, who also serves as the Class 507 Preservation Society's projects manager, demonstrated various parts of the 507's equipment, ably assisted by society members Joe and Jamie. The aim was to give the assembled apprentices a broader range of experience, with a train that differs greatly from the modern trains they are used to.
The day was a great success for all concerned and the hope is that this will be the first of many collaborations, with apprentices working on various parts of 507001 during its stay in Derby, and the university students using the train for their research projects.
Steve Beech of the BBC was also present. He spoke to Tom Camps, Professor Stuart Hillmansen of the University of Birmingham, and C507PS Chairman Robert Hampton. You can read his report on the BBC website: Work starts to restore £1 train ridden by royalty
