Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[ExRes]

Schedules in for tonights 2229 6Z19 Crewe Down Refuge Sdg to Kirkdale CS and tomorrows 0518 5Q20 to Crewe CS

 

[507 001]

To be honest I don't know why there's all this faff. If they are going to have guards, and they are going to be involved in dispatch, why not just fit guard panels and have them do it the normal way? Having drivers glance at the monitors before taking power in addition to that would make it safer still, and would have prevented a couple of the well-known incidents. I'm really not sure what is gained by coming up with something new.

I would be in support of driver release, that said, as it saves a couple of seconds over guard release, but I'm not sure that is really a big issue? It's used in lots of places. As it's a closed system, fitting some sort of kit to prevent wrong-side wouldn't be hard.

This^

Driver release guard close would be perfect.

 

[Spirit555]

Schedules in for tonights 2229 6Z19 Crewe Down Refuge Sdg to Kirkdale CS and tomorrows 0518 5Q20 to Crewe CS

5Q20 was 777004 & 016

Mark

 

[The_Train]

5Q20 was 777004 & 016

Mark

Is it some sort of mod work they head to Crewe for or just storage?

 

[Ribbleman]

According to Merseytravel’s Programme Director, he who has to sign off each set as it completes fault free running and release payment to Stadler, the notion that work is being carried out on 777s at Crewe is simply not true. Sets are being rotated between Kirkdale Depot and storage at Crewe Carriage Sidings with the aim of ensuring that each of the 14 units in the UK have attained fault free running mileage targets. That should enable training of instructors and then crew to commence as soon as staff negotiations are finalised.
Although I have not had the opportunity to enquire about guard door control fitment, if, as others attest, this has been carried out on some units, it would seem more likely that this has been done at Kirkdale where Stadler’s own staff are based. There is insufficient siding space at Kirkdale to accommodate the 14 x 777s delivered alongside the 507/508 fleet, hence the need for storage space, initially at Warrington and now at Crewe.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Its quite staggering how Merseytravel and Liverpool Combined Authority are operating radio silence over the introduction of these trains having spent 100's millions of pounds of local taxpayer money on the venture. No local politicians seem to be challenging Rotherham about whats happening either.

 

[8A Rail]

So unless I hear to the contrary then this is the latest 'location' of the UK Class 777's after transfer of two units early Tuesday morning (5Q20, Top and tail loco's 20007, 20142, 20189 and 20205)

Current locations:
Kirkdale = 001, 002, 003, 005, 007, 009, 010, and 018.
Crewe C.S. = 004, 006, 008, 012, 014 and 016.

Update information always welcome as per usual.

 

[507020]

According to Merseytravel’s Programme Director, he who has to sign off each set as it completes fault free running and release payment to Stadler, the notion that work is being carried out on 777s at Crewe is simply not true. Sets are being rotated between Kirkdale Depot and storage at Crewe Carriage Sidings with the aim of ensuring that each of the 14 units in the UK have attained fault free running mileage targets. That should enable training of instructors and then crew to commence as soon as staff negotiations are finalised.
Although I have not had the opportunity to enquire about guard door control fitment, if, as others attest, this has been carried out on some units, it would seem more likely that this has been done at Kirkdale where Stadler’s own staff are based. There is insufficient siding space at Kirkdale to accommodate the 14 x 777s delivered alongside the 507/508 fleet, hence the need for storage space, initially at Warrington and now at Crewe.

777003 completed 485 of it’s required 500 fault free miles the last time it was out before developing a fault, so it has had to start from scratch. It has not had door controls fitted.

Its quite staggering how Merseytravel and Liverpool Combined Authority are operating radio silence over the introduction of these trains having spent 100's millions of pounds of local taxpayer money on the venture. No local politicians seem to be challenging Rotherham about whats happening either.

Radio silence isn’t ideal but I think it’s a case of nothing to report and it’s not like the source of information has suddenly dried up because there wasn’t a lot of it to start with. I’m not sure “challenging” their introduction will help things. The 777s are simply not yet ready to enter service, but testing is visible on the network, as is construction work at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby.

 

[Vespa]

Its quite staggering how Merseytravel and Liverpool Combined Authority are operating radio silence over the introduction of these trains having spent 100's millions of pounds of local taxpayer money on the venture. No local politicians seem to be challenging Rotherham about whats happening either.

The pandemic did push back the timetable a great deal otherwise they already been in service by now, as to radio silence there have been no movement on progress so nothing to report other than open days to look around the train itself which I think they should do more of to raise awareness and get the public onside while waiting for its introduction.

I have been to the Southport open day and I have say I'm impressed with the train itself and charged my phone off the power points to see if it works, it does, I like the open air ambience of the carriage itself, before it's introduction, I intend to make the most of the 507/8 before it gets withdrawn, it probably ran two years longer than it was planned and it may have another year before all the fleet gets withdrawn.

 

[Mollman]

Its quite staggering how Merseytravel and Liverpool Combined Authority are operating radio silence over the introduction of these trains having spent 100's millions of pounds of local taxpayer money on the venture. No local politicians seem to be challenging Rotherham about whats happening either.

There have been a few press releases about starting testing etc., the issue is that they are waiting for crew training to start. Once that has started then I am sure we will see a date announced. It is better to stay silent than to be like TfW and the 230s!

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

There have been a few press releases about starting testing etc., the issue is that they are waiting for crew training to start. Once that has started then I am sure we will see a date announced. It is better to stay silent than to be like TfW and the 230s!

Disagree they've spent best part of £200m of local taxpayers cash and they say nothing about what the issues are or when taxpayers can expect their new trains. It shows even an inhouse Labour run organisation is no better that a central govt controlled one.

 

[MattRat]

Its quite staggering how Merseytravel and Liverpool Combined Authority are operating radio silence over the introduction of these trains having spent 100's millions of pounds of local taxpayer money on the venture. No local politicians seem to be challenging Rotherham about whats happening either.

I'm not surprised myself. Rotherham seems to do most of the leg work, so no wonder things end up taking longer for him.

 

[ADHDTog]

Are there any plans for scrapping of more 507/508s, or is that not going to be done until 777 introduction?

 

[8A Rail]

Are there any plans for scrapping of more 507/508s, or is that not going to be done until 777 introduction?

I cannot imagine any Class 507 and 50's been withdrawn (let alone scrapping) until some Class 77's are introduced. They need to current fleet to operate the timetable.

 

[507020]

Are there any plans for scrapping of more 507/508s, or is that not going to be done until 777 introduction?

There weren’t even any plans for 507006 to be scrapped when it was so they are 1 down already.

 

[D821]

I thought one unit had been scrapped before the unit involved in the crash was, or am I wrong?

Edit
I am wrong, 1991 was the last time a 507 was scrapped

 

[Sam 76]

I thought one unit had been scrapped before the unit involved in the crash was, or am I wrong?

Edit
I am wrong, 1991 was the last time a 507 was scrapped

They did scrap two 508s in 2020 I believe

 

[8A Rail]

There were originally 27 Class 508's, now down to 25. Two were scrapped in recent years which were No 508110 and 508134.

 

[Bevan Price]

To be pedantic, there were originally 43 Class 508s, of which 12 were returned south in 1996 to Connex South Eastern, after Merseytravel reduced the number of trains running as 6 car formations.

 

[D821]

Thanks both, that's probably what I was thinking about.

 

[Djgr]

To be pedantic, there were originally 43 Class 508s, of which 12 were returned south in 1996 to Connex South Eastern, after Merseytravel reduced the number of trains running as 6 car formations.

To also be pedantic, wasn't this the decision of MTL (the best forgotten disastrous private operator) rather than Merseytravel (the public body)?

 

[Ribbleman]

To be pedantic, there were originally 43 Class 508s, of which 12 were returned south in 1996 to Connex South Eastern, after Merseytravel reduced the number of trains running as 6 car formations.

In addition, 3 x 508 sets were transferred to Silverlink in 2003, never to return.

 

[gka472l]

Not forgetting 508118 which was severely damaged by fire at Birkenhead North and was scrapped afterwards, although one car (64709) strangely languished at Immingham for some time afterwards, Flickr link here https://www.flickr.com/photos/37260/11737808815/in/photolist-oMfCPr-iTekC4-2n1cgpY-2n1b1Nz-abgwMD

HTH

 

[8A Rail]

To be pedantic, there were originally 43 Class 508s, of which 12 were returned south in 1996 to Connex South Eastern, after Merseytravel reduced the number of trains running as 6 car formations.

I was actually reference to the number of Class 508's Merseyrail had in their fleet. Was well aware there were 43 in total.

 

[ExRes]

20142/007/189/205 and the RA barriers on 1342 645G Kings Norton OTPD to Crewe Down Refuge Siding today for onward move to Kirkdale CS tomorrow

 

[Pacef8]

Its really easy to see the other two stored when you pass through crew.

 

[A0]

I cannot imagine any Class 507 and 50's been withdrawn (let alone scrapping) until some Class 77's are introduced. They need to current fleet to operate the timetable.

It will probably depend on if one fails what the nature of the failure is. There's one of the Southern 313s which suffered a severe flashover and is unlikely to return to service due to the cost of repairs. A similar failure on one of Merseyrail's units given their replacement is imminent could easily lead to the same decision.

 

[DJH1971]

It will probably depend on if one fails what the nature of the failure is. There's one of the Southern 313s which suffered a severe flashover and is unlikely to return to service due to the cost of repairs. A similar failure on one of Merseyrail's units given their replacement is imminent could easily lead to the same decision.

Looks like they will need to get some rail replacement buses ready if the 777's don't enter service soon in that case.

 

[A0]

Looks like they will need to get some rail replacement buses ready if the 777's don't enter service soon in that case.

Or run some short-forms.

With some RRBs probably aren't necessary and ticket acceptance with the local buses would suffice.

 

[meld3]

Given how long these are taking to deliver - is there a yard in Europe storing them, or did they just stop / slow down production ?