Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[Bletchleyite]

I remember in the pre-May 2018 timetable the 1655 Central - Ormskirk (three car) was badly overcrowded too. The 1710 ex-Central was a six car working in that setup.

Yes, the 1616 also does the 1534 Ormskirk - Central which always was incredibly busy with schoolchildren; I assume it remains so.

Does the Ormskirk School finish at 3? When I was at the Grammar with a 3:25 finish you'd have to run to catch that one, the one after was the busiest with Grammar and Cross Hall kids.

 

[prod_pep]

Does the Ormskirk School finish at 3? When I was at the Grammar with a 3:25 finish you'd have to run to catch that one, the one after was the busiest with Grammar and Cross Hall kids.

Not sure on that but last time I used it, the busiest part was around Maghull and Aintree.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not sure on that but last time I used it, the busiest part was around Maghull and Aintree.

Ah yes, probably Deyes High kids heading to Old Roan and Aintree, forgot about those.

To be fair the 1550 ish I used to get was always a 3 car and while busy wasn't full and standing, and schoolkids don't really care about getting a seat anyway, most of us found "train surfing" more fun!

 

[karlbbb]

Does the Ormskirk School finish at 3? When I was at the Grammar with a 3:25 finish you'd have to run to catch that one, the one after was the busiest with Grammar and Cross Hall kids.

I believe the train mentioned gets horrifically busy at Maghull - the station is so full of kids just after 1530 that they have security/helper bods that are needed to keep the kids from doing something silly. I've certainly been on a train that passed through Maghull around 1545 that got beyond rammed with kids, which tallies with the 1534 time.

 

[prod_pep]

Looks like all three of the Kirkdale - Ormskirk ECS workings to make up the six cars have run, which is good. Is it just one of the morning pairs to have been sacrificed for now?

 

[MR-507508]

Observed so far today:

2O24 — 777018
2O25 — 777003
2G44 — 507005
2O28 — 507026
2G47 — 777013 (with a set of doors locked OOU)
2G48 — 508128

2K22 — 777049
2G85 — 777008
2K26 — 777009

Hope this helps!

At the moment it looks like the 777 is only being run on one Ormskirk diagram which involves a 6 car in the morning peak only (2O12-0901 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk, then the front 3 car working ECS as 5D12 to Kirkdale depot, it then remained as a 3 car for the rest of the day). The other diagrams which involves 6 cars are being operated with 507/508s today so explains why all 6 cars ran in the evening peak. Will be interesting to see when the 777 operation increases more on the Ormskirk line how the remaining 6 car services will work.

 

[karlbbb]

At the moment it looks like the 777 is only being run on one Ormskirk diagram which involves a 6 car in the morning peak only (2O12-0901 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk, then the front 3 car working ECS as 5D12 to Kirkdale depot, it then remained as a 3 car for the rest of the day). The other diagrams which involves 6 cars are being operated with 507/508s today so explains why all 6 cars ran in the evening peak. Will be interesting to see when the 777 operation increases more on the Ormskirk line how the remaining 6 car services will work.

It’s definitely interesting to see how it’ll be done, as the 777 being replaced would have to complete its run to Ormskirk and then go ECS back to Kirkdale, and sit and wait for an hour or so, then head back out to replace the 6-car again.

 

[Sam 76]

It’s definitely interesting to see how it’ll be done, as the 777 being replaced would have to complete its run to Ormskirk and then go ECS back to Kirkdale, and sit and wait for an hour or so, then head back out to replace the 6-car again.

Does anyone know what if any progress has been made on 8 car formations ?

 

[L401CJF]

Does anyone know what if any progress has been made on 8 car formations ?

Wouldn't count on it.

Just been speaking to some guards I know who say they dread working on them. Sick of constant door faults, PIS faults, and sick of having to tell everybody to get off because it's got to come out of service. The general consensus among those I know is that they hate working on them.

I won't go into detail on the exact details to avoid getting them into trouble. I understand new fleets will have teething issues, all things do, but why have they not stopped/waited to sort out these "teething issues" before trying to convert a second line?

I can't for the life of me understand why they're pushing them onto other lines knowing they are constantly being pulled out of service. Surely get them to work properly on Kirkbys first before putting Ormskirk into the mix? Is it just a publicity thing to try and make the Liverpool City Region and Metro big wigs look good?

People are always slating the TFW 230 on the 230 thread because it keeps running late, a unit which was effectively cobbled together out of old units and experimental tech by a small firm, yet is proving more reliable in service than these "state of the art" brand new units.

 

[markymark2000]

but why have they not stopped/waited to sort out these "teething issues" before trying to convert a second line?

Simple, there is an election coming up and the incompetent politicians and councillors want to score political points.

I wouldn't be surprised come mid May if they scale it back due to difficulties.

 

[MattRat]

Simple, there is an election coming up and the incompetent politicians and councillors want to score political points.

I wouldn't be surprised come mid May if they scale it back due to difficulties.

Or maybe all the bugs will be ironed out. Considering this has essentially been trial by fire, the units actually seem to be settling down for the most part, after a bumpy start. Dare I say they might actually be decent units?

 

[Sam 76]

Or maybe all the bugs will be ironed out. Considering this has essentially been trial by fire, the units actually seem to be settling down for the most part, after a bumpy start. Dare I say they might actually be decent units?

Whilst I have no inside knowledge it does seem from a passenger point of view they have been better for the last 2-3 weeks at least. They did well at Aintree it seems and then unless something happened I didn’t see they did well on the Ormskirk line yesterday. ?

 

[karlbbb]

Whilst I have no inside knowledge it does seem from a passenger point of view they have been better for the last 2-3 weeks at least. They did well at Aintree it seems and then unless something happened I didn’t see they did well on the Ormskirk line yesterday. ?

I don’t recall seeing Merseyrail tweet about any Ormskirk trains being taken off so I assume things went well. Even during the races the only changes I recall were a couple of trains running semi-fast due to delay, not being taken out of service.

The unit I’m on now appears to have a correctly functioning PIS too (777009)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Or maybe all the bugs will be ironed out. Considering this has essentially been trial by fire, the units actually seem to be settling down for the most part, after a bumpy start. Dare I say they might actually be decent units?

They probably will settle down to be reliable, but I still take the view that the interior is anything but decent, being a series of very poor compromises which seem to prioritise a combination of gimmickry, trying (but failing) to be "clever", and saving money, rather than a good, simple, basic product.

 

[karlbbb]

One thing that is slightly puzzling on the 777 is the "please mind the closing doors" automated announcement only seems to happen after the step has retracted. For example, the door closes on its timer, a few seconds later the step retracts (which I assume is the driver doing the all-door close for departure), the red door border lights turn off, and then the PA plays "please mind the closing doors". Is this an oversight?

It also seems odd the doors play the doors opening alarm even when the door isn't pre-armed for opening. It seems to happen that the door open alarm plays as the driver releases. Quite annoying, actually.

 

[py_megapixel]

It also seems odd the doors play the doors opening alarm even when the door isn't pre-armed for opening. It seems to happen that the door open alarm plays as the driver releases. Quite annoying, actually.

This is standard on all stock and is specified by the PRM regulations:

"When a door is released for opening a signal shall be given that is clearly audible and visible to
persons inside and outside the train. This alert signal shall last for a minimum of five seconds unless
the door is operated, in which case it may cease after 3 seconds."

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Does anyone know what time the 777s are on the Ormskirk run on Saturday I am thinking around 12-1pm as I am thinking of taking my friend on one of the new trains

Luke

 

[Formby EMU Fan]

Hi, been lurking on this forum for a while and followed with much interest as these trains will become the main traction on my local Liverpool Southport line.
Took my first run on a 777 yesterday (777 008 I think) as I was in Liverpool on my way back from Manchester (and I didn't fancy facing an overcrowded 50x to Southport in evening rush hour), and there was a 777 parked on platform 1 at Liverpool Central, so I took a round trip to Kirkby instead)
I have to say I have to agree with the posts on this forum, Acceleration brilliant, working Wi-Fi, all the Tech worked (info screens, etc.) but the rock hard seats are a big let down for such a sophisticated train, (and I had just got off a Northern Class 331 from Manchester which was far more comfy, even though that was overcrowded). After returning to Liverpool and then taking a 508 Southport Service (with 507 024 leading ), I found the 50x seats far more comfy. I would think if you did the full Southport to Hunts Cross on a 777 (approx. 55 mins if I remember correctly), passengers would have numb bum syndrome. All I can say is I am glad the Southport line is to be the last to be scheduled for full 777 operation, as I would prefer a comfy 50x over a rock hard seated 777 between Liverpool and Southport, even with the faster acceleration and all the tech.

 

[childwallblues]

Can anybody update me on which 777s are now in service?
I have read of 777003/008/009/013/018/049.

 

[DJH1971]

Can anybody update me on which 777s are now in service?
I have read of 777003/008/009/013/018/049.

777001 is now working

 

[Liverpool 507]

Can anybody update me on which 777s are now in service?
I have read of 777003/008/009/013/018/049.

777007 as well

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Or maybe all the bugs will be ironed out. Considering this has essentially been trial by fire, the units actually seem to be settling down for the most part, after a bumpy start. Dare I say they might actually be decent units?

No no no... you have to grumble about everything and exaggerate any negatives, this is RailForums!

 

[MattRat]

No no no... you have to grumble about everything and exaggerate any negatives, this is RailForums!

I'm all for being negative, we got a CAF product when we ordered Stadler, but, reliability wise, they'll do the job in the end, and that's all commuters ask for.

 

[Rhinojerry]

Rode onboard 777018 today from Ormskirk to Central,very bright,airy,quiet and quick acceleration.
My first time on one,,impressed but those seats.oohh..
005 stabled at New Brighton,with the legacy Beatles liveried 508 stabled as well.

 

[Liverpool 507]

There seems to be some 777 availability issues today. A Kirkby diagram is being replaced by 507026 and an Ormskirk diagram is being replaced by 507015.

 

[The_Train]

777007 as well

Anybody know roughly when this one first appeared in service please?

 

[childwallblues]

777007 as well

Many thanks for the updates.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Anybody know roughly when this one first appeared in service please?

There is a thread on which stock entered service which date this year. It's in Traction and Rolling Stock too.

 

[childwallblues]

Anybody know roughly when this one first appeared in service please?

18/04/2023 according to the New Units in Service 2023 thread.

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Are all the Ormskirk services now 777 today or are there any 507s/508s still on the route?