Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[nigelsporne]

I spent some time on the Northern Line today and saw 23 different units. I think I missed one Southport diagram. 3 double units were seen with 035 on test. 9 further units were visible on Kirkdale from the platform. So if the 18 diagrams were all running on the Wirral then 51 units were accounted for.

 

[cspotting_]

Is anyone aware of the future plans for 777004 and 777008, And what is wrong with them. As now 777035 has began testing they seem to be the only two units unable to run. 777004 seemed to have had one of its ceiling panels hanging on by a thread in November

 

[nigelsporne]

On my visit I saw 008 on Kirkdale but not 004. However there was one unit in the sidings that I didn't take a note of.

 

[jamesst]

Is anyone aware of the future plans for 777004 and 777008, And what is wrong with them. As now 777035 has began testing they seem to be the only two units unable to run. 777004 seemed to have had one of its ceiling panels hanging on by a thread in November

They'll both be back in service...eventually

 

[Tramfan]

Is anyone aware of the future plans for 777004 and 777008, And what is wrong with them. As now 777035 has began testing they seem to be the only two units unable to run. 777004 seemed to have had one of its ceiling panels hanging on by a thread in November

It's not too unusual for trains that are out of service awaiting repair to surrender parts to other units to keep them in service - as mentioned they'll eventually be put back together and returned to service

 

[Pacef8]

Isn't that the idea with old stock not our latest state of the art trams . We are now in a position to see the cancelled rate percentage for headbolt lane as well that will be interesting.

 

[Pinza68]

On my visit I saw 008 on Kirkdale but not 004. However there was one unit in the sidings that I didn't take a note of.

On Tuesday when I was at Kirkdale, 004 was over to the very right as you stood on the Platform looking towards the Depot

 

[nigelsporne]

On Tuesday when I was at Kirkdale, 004 was over to the very right as you stood on the Platform looking towards the Depot

That was the one I missed noting!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Isn't that the idea with old stock not our latest state of the art trams . We are now in a position to see the cancelled rate percentage for headbolt lane as well that will be interesting.

My bold.
I assume you are replying to this ? :-

It's not too unusual for trains that are out of service awaiting repair to surrender parts to other units to keep them in service - as mentioned they'll eventually be put back together and returned to service

It does happen with new fleets. My view is it is because we always want to save as much money as we can on spare parts inventory.
It might get better with bedded in fleets one operators realise what parts and/or quantity they really cannot avoid needing !.
And then gets really prolific once an old fleet starts getting run down of course.

 

[Pacef8]

Thanks for that it just seems odd that they need parts replacing already .

 

[Vinnym]

Why do people on here refer to 777s as trams,they are nothing like trams. Yes they have had a pretty poor introduction but they are nothing like trams.

 

[Prime586]

It's not too unusual for trains that are out of service awaiting repair to surrender parts to other units to keep them in service - as mentioned they'll eventually be put back together and returned to service

In the RAF, the out of service unit that becomes the spare parts donor to keep others in working condition is known as a 'christmas free' or 'hangar queen'.

 

[Peter Sarf]

In the RAF, the out of service unit that becomes the spare parts donor to keep others in working condition is known as a 'christmas free' or 'hangar queen'.

On the railway - "Christmas Tree".

 

[Bikeman78]

Why do people on here refer to 777s as trams,they are nothing like trams. Yes they have had a pretty poor introduction but they are nothing like trams.

HSTs have been called trams for most of their lives. A 777 is far closer to a tram than an HST.

 

[WirralLine]

Chester line chaos for a good few hours this afternoon due to a "train fault" according to the announcements at Chester station.

Services turning back at Hooton, apparently not actually a fault but rather the unit was "gapped" - come to a stand with all shoes off the 3rd rail and unable to move between Chester depot and Bache. In other words unlucky!

Services running again from around 1830.

 

[RichardAsh1981]

apparently not actually a fault but rather the unit was "gapped" - come to a stand with all shoes off the 3rd rail and unable to move between Chester depot and Bache. In other words unlucky!

Services running again from around 1830.

Having hit this getting home from work, not impressed. Glad I bailed out as Real Time Trains shows the first Liverpool bound departure from Capenhurst at 1909 (and the following one cancelled).

Also, these units are supposed to have a shunt battery for getting them in and out of the depot. Surely that should be capable of un-gapping a unit? By definition it can't need move far, and speeds are very slow on this section anyway.

 

[Prime586]

Also, these units are supposed to have a shunt battery for getting them in and out of the depot. Surely that should be capable of un-gapping a unit? By definition it can't need move far, and speeds are very slow on this section anyway.

That's why I don't buy it not being due to a train fault. When it happened last February on the other side of the river across the points between Hunts Cross and South Parkway, it was the train deciding it 'needed a rest', which resulted in it lifting it's shoes up (i.e. it was not 'gapped', it had lifted it's shoes off the third rail). Attempts at resetting the systems failed to get it going, and it eventually had to be towed clear by another 777 after over 3 hours.

 

[vjm1975]

Shunt batteries ok for moving and empty train around the depot but how will they cope with moving a full train load of passengers? Do they have permission to use them out side of the depot?

Not sure of the exact location but there having been gaping incidents around that location before with the old fleet so not unheard of and so was the time taken to move them.

 

[Lloyds siding]

One of the selling points was that the batteries would prevent gapping incidents....

 

[WirralLine]

Yeah it was definitely gapped. It was unable to move on its depot shunt batteries for some reason although it was tried. Train behind couldn't couple to it to rescue because driver hadn't been trained on coupling them yet. Stadler had to go down and assist. They got it moving quickly.

 

[Formby EMU Fan]

Just witnessed a TM (or Guard) eject 3 abusive youths off a Southport train at Ainsdale. They were told in train was not going to move until they got off. I dread to think what would have happened if Merseyrail went ahead with DOO when they introduced 777 operation. TM was thanked by several passengers after the event.

 

[WirralLine]

Just witnessed a TM (or Guard) eject 3 abusive youths off a Southport train at Ainsdale. They were told in train was not going to move until they got off. I dread to think what would have happened if Merseyrail went ahead with DOO when they introduced 777 operation. TM was thanked by several passengers after the event.

This brings me onto one of my main dislikes for the 777 (and other modern open plan/gangway stock) - on the older stock with doors between each coach, if somebody/a group boarded who were abusive/ or engaging in antisocial behaviour etc, they'd generally remain in one coach. Now I find theyre often moving up and down the whole train.

 

[Peter Sarf]

This brings me onto one of my main dislikes for the 777 (and other modern open plan/gangway stock) - on the older stock with doors between each coach, if somebody/a group boarded who were abusive/ or engaging in antisocial behaviour etc, they'd generally remain in one coach. Now I find theyre often moving up and down the whole train.

Its a two edged sword I suppose.
More compartmentalised stock allows the scrotes to get on with their deeds unnoticed.
More open stock allows more people to suffer/observe the scrotes and report them.
Problem is most scrotes are too stupid to be put off by a lack of "privacy".

 

[Bletchleyite]

This brings me onto one of my main dislikes for the 777 (and other modern open plan/gangway stock) - on the older stock with doors between each coach, if somebody/a group boarded who were abusive/ or engaging in antisocial behaviour etc, they'd generally remain in one coach. Now I find theyre often moving up and down the whole train.

People pacing up and down the train speaking loudly on the phone (usually on speaker) is another annoyance this design seems to have caused. On balance it's probably good though.

 

[Peter Sarf]

People pacing up and down the train speaking loudly on the phone (usually on speaker) is another annoyance this design seems to have caused. On balance it's probably good though.

I am particularly noticing speaker phone use on busses !.
Sometimes quite piercing.

 

[FrontSideBus]

I was stuck at the Freshfield level crossing yesterday and I was quite surprised to see an 8 couch formation! Most of the ones I've been on lately have "No multiple working" stickers on the cabs!

You do see some interesting creatures on the Merseyrail network and I'm glad I don't have to use it for commuting any more! Liverpool Lime Street to Bromborough for 7 years!
Just the other day I was heading to Bidston and there was the typical large-ish tracksuited mother with about 4 kids between the age of 4-8... all of them effing and blinding and climbing all over the seats while she just sat there playing on her phone.
Needless to say I made prompt usage of the walk through connections to the other end of the train because I didn't trust myself to sit there and endure it!

 

[Mikey C]

I was stuck at the Freshfield level crossing yesterday and I was quite surprised to see an 8 couch formation!

Good to see a train operator responding to criticism, and installing more comfortable seating

 

[itsonlyme]

 

[DJH1971]

Good to see a train operator responding to criticism, and installing more comfortable seating

If DFS built trains

 

[SeaKing]

Has 035 entered service yet.