Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[MR-507508]

The first train out of Chester this morning was cancelled due to 'vandalism' according to RTT. The unit was stabled at Hooton overnight. Does anyone know if the reason given was correct and if so any details on what the vandalism was?

Realtime Trains | 2C08 0800 Chester to Chester | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 2C08 0800 departure from Chester to Chester on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5C08 0744 Hooton to Chester | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5C08 0744 departure from Hooton to Chester on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[WirralLine]

The first train out of Chester this morning was cancelled due to 'vandalism' according to RTT. The unit was stabled at Hooton overnight. Does anyone know if the reason given was correct and if so any details on what the vandalism was?

Realtime Trains | 2C08 0800 Chester to Chester | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 2C08 0800 departure from Chester to Chester on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5C08 0744 Hooton to Chester | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5C08 0744 departure from Hooton to Chester on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Presumably the same incident and i dont have a unit number but was sent a pic of a 777 this afternoon with the entire side of one of the driving vehicles completed filled top to bottom with graffiti.

 

[M60lad]

Isn't it dangerous to graffiti a 777 considering 3rd rail? Where would it go for the graffiti to be cleaned off Birkenhead North or Kirkdale?

 

[scrapy]

Isn't it dangerous to graffiti a 777 considering 3rd rail? Where would it go for the graffiti to be cleaned off Birkenhead North or Kirkdale?

3rd rail is only on one side of the train and only is dangerous if you come into contact with it.

Many activities graffiti artists do such as scaling bridges and fences are probably more dangerous.

 

[Class15]

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

 

[jamesst]

Isn't it dangerous to graffiti a 777 considering 3rd rail? Where would it go for the graffiti to be cleaned off Birkenhead North or Kirkdale?

Kirkdale

 

[Skie]

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

Deprives the numpties of fame if you scrub it off before anyone sees it. PTEs also don’t like their trains running around with childish scrawl.

 

[43096]

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

Correct. Unless there is a zero tolerance policy then it quickly gets out of control. See Belgium for an example of what happens if it isn’t tackled.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Deprives the numpties of fame if you scrub it off before anyone sees it. PTEs also don’t like their trains running around with childish scrawl.

I strongly agree. Graffitti (well it is actually tagging usually) needs to be removed asap. Leaving it on just gives the loser that does it satisfaction thus encouraging them to do more AND also spurring on others to compete. It is akin to a dog scent marking trees.

The fact that so many places are not dealt with just oozes lack of care and makes them unpleasant. Maybe another thread if anyone fancies as this is broader than just 777s generally.

 

[WirralLine]

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

It covered the entire bodyside of one car from top to bottom covering all windows and doors so there are presumably some other concerns in this case rather than just looks.

 

[Skie]

It covered the entire bodyside of one car from top to bottom covering all windows and doors so there are presumably some other concerns in this case rather than just looks.

Didn’t stop the Eurovision livery

 

[73001]

Isn't it dangerous to graffiti a 777 considering 3rd rail? Where would it go for the graffiti to be cleaned off Birkenhead North or Kirkdale?

The overnight parking at Hooton is in a platform so as it appeared to cover the side, you'd assume they were at platform level. I'm surprised they managed to do that much considering that it's all covered by cctv and would be easily visible.

 

[WarrenT]

Didn’t stop the Eurovision livery

Yeah and that was arguably worse than graffiti let’s be honest

 

[Liverpool 507]

Presumably the same incident and i dont have a unit number but was sent a pic of a 777 this afternoon with the entire side of one of the driving vehicles completed filled top to bottom with graffiti.

Are there any photos of this online?

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

If the door/BIL lights and door cameras have been covered with graffiti, they cannot run without those. Same if the drivers left window, droplight window and cab door are covered.

 

[WirralLine]

Are there any photos of this online?


If the door/BIL lights and door cameras have been covered with graffiti, they cannot run without those. Same if the drivers left window, droplight window and cab door are covered.

No photos online that i know of, the one I was sent isn't in the public domain as far as I'm aware. Can't see the cab in the pic but it was the second man's side of a driving car. Not sure if just one side or both, but DOO cams seem to be painted over too.

 

[themiller]

Are there any photos of this online?

Hopefully not as that’s the aim of the vandals who do this - to get their egos seen by other idiots!

 

[Liverpool 507]

Hopefully not as that’s the aim of the vandals who do this - to get their egos seen by other idiots!

Thankfully these units have good paintwork and previous attacks I’ve seen on units have been cleaned off very well. Unlike the previous 507/8s with their vinyls.

 

[Class15]

Correct. Unless there is a zero tolerance policy then it quickly gets out of control. See Belgium for an example of what happens if it isn’t tackled.

Ahh that makes perfect sense. Thank you!

 

[MR-507508]

The overnight parking at Hooton is in a platform so as it appeared to cover the side, you'd assume they were at platform level. I'm surprised they managed to do that much considering that it's all covered by cctv and would be easily visible.

507004 was done, whilst stabled at Hooton overnight, to a similar extent a few years back, covering 2 carriages. It had to receive new vinyls for 2 carriages due to the extent of damage caused.

 

[karlbbb]

It's amazing/alarming how long the issues of the 777s continue for. 777031 is currently running on the Ormskirks with a stuck "Chester Limited Stops" on the outer destination boards.

How is basic stuff like this still happening after more than two years of operation?

 

[simonmpoulton]

It's amazing/alarming how long the issues of the 777s continue for. 777031 is currently running on the Ormskirks with a stuck "Chester Limited Stops" on the outer destination boards.

How is basic stuff like this still happening after more than two years of operation?

I'd hazard a guess that its because the electronics and computer side of it is too complicated

 

[Prime586]

I'd hazard a guess that its because the electronics and computer side of it is too complicated

There's no such thing as 'too complicated', it's more like the manufacturer has 'promised something more ambitious than they were equipped to deliver'. As I've mentioned previously, something as basic as the incompatibily of the Swiss and Polish-produced units should have raised alarm bells about Stadler's engineering and quality processes.

 

[WirralLine]

Apparently the PIS is linked in to safety critical systems regarding the operation of the train including door cctv, passcoms etc. It's unnecessarily complicated and given we are around 2 years in with these units in service and still suffering the same faults is a joke.

They've also had issues with motors working themselves loose and TCUs exploding due to an issue with the regenerative braking feature.

They do seem to have settled down a little bit, i've not been kicked off one for a while due to a fault, but a quick scroll through Merseyrails Twitter/X feed shows fault after fault after fault. My favourite part is people replying to these posts tagging Steve Rotheram saying he needs to step in, when infact it was his ego that dictated they be forced into service knowing they weren't ready and is half of the problem here (as well as poor design).

When they rolled out 1 unit on Kirkby services at the start and it was suffering fault after fault they should have pulled it from service, found solutions and tried again, before rolling out a full fleet.

 

[Liverpool 507]

Four 8 car 777 sets on the Southport line seem to be more reliable. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

From the May timetable change, Southport services revert back to Southport - Hunts Cross with x4 AM and PM peak time 8 car diagrams. Originally this line had x6 6 car diagrams, presumably cut down with 777s having more standing room. However, no sign of any peak time 8 car diagrams on the Ormskirk line.

 

[WirralLine]

Four 8 car 777 sets on the Southport line seem to be more reliable. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

From the May timetable change, Southport services revert back to Southport - Hunts Cross with x4 AM and PM peak time 8 car diagrams. Originally this line had x6 6 car diagrams, presumably cut down with 777s having more standing room. However, no sign of any peak time 8 car diagrams on the Ormskirk line.

There just arnt enough units - not enough ordered as they were planning to cut the number of diagrams down with the faster units (but the bodged half DOO half guard dispatch slows things down) so that's not happened. Also too many units off with faults.

 

[FrontSideBus]

The other day I saw loads with "no multiple working" stickers on the cabs.
It's a wonder why they didn't just order something like the LU S7 or or something else that they use down south which has a proven record of reliable operation!

 

[baldyman26]

What happens when politicians egos take over the railways. The buses are next .

 

[Harpo]

A train was cancelled because of graffiti?

The standard advice going back decades is that these people want their daubing seen and that removing or obliterating them is a deterrent.

Providing a mobile or long-lived canvas is advertising that you’re a worthwhile target.

 

[MR-507508]

Four 8 car 777 sets on the Southport line seem to be more reliable. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

From the May timetable change, Southport services revert back to Southport - Hunts Cross with x4 AM and PM peak time 8 car diagrams. Originally this line had x6 6 car diagrams, presumably cut down with 777s having more standing room. However, no sign of any peak time 8 car diagrams on the Ormskirk line.

Interesting to see the plan for the operation of the 8 cars on the Southport line, with only the peaks strengthened to 8 cars (unlike the present situation). 2 x 8 cars being stabled after morning peak at Southport, with the other 2 x 8 cars splitting. Then in the afternoon 2 x 8 cars are formed by 2 x 4 cars coupling at Southport and the 2 x 8 cars stabled during the day at Southport re-entering into service. Followed by early evening, 2 x 8 cars heading on ECS moves to Kirkdale depot, with the other 2 x 8 cars splitting early evening to continue until end of service.

Also interesting to note, under the May timetable change, the Chester line gains an extra service early evening with 2C45 forming a return working (2B30 1848 Chester to Liverpool Central, terminating at 1937) with the unit continuing to head ECS to Birkenhead North depot. Currently, and as far as I am aware has been the case for many years (unless Chester races is on), the unit forming 2C45 terminates upon arrival at Chester and then (currently) heads ECS from Chester to Birkenhead North depot.

 

[M28361M]

Four 8 car 777 sets on the Southport line seem to be more reliable. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

From the May timetable change, Southport services revert back to Southport - Hunts Cross with x4 AM and PM peak time 8 car diagrams. Originally this line had x6 6 car diagrams, presumably cut down with 777s having more standing room. However, no sign of any peak time 8 car diagrams on the Ormskirk line.

Is it definitely confirmed that Southport-Hunts Cross is back from May? That's what Realtime Trains site shows, but it originally showed it reverting back in April, then this got changed again. I heard some rumblings that Merseyrail may try to make Ormskirk-Hunts Cross permanent as from an operation point of view it works quite well.

Does this mean the selective door operation at Cressington (which I believe is the sticking point for 8 cars on the Hunts Cross line) now resolved?