Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[trainophile]

Not looking forward to my regular 45 minute journeys to Central from Southport, nor in the other direction the hour long ones from South Parkway. I went on the mock-up at the back of Lime Street all those years ago and thought then that two people sat side by side in thick coats in winter will be a helluva squash.

I've yet to try out a moving one, hope it has some redeeming features. I don't believe the USB sockets are at every set of seats are they? Also from reading some of this thread I take it they are air conditioned without opening windows, which is fine until it goes wrong.

 

[Skie]

Not looking forward to my regular 45 minute journeys to Central from Southport, nor in the other direction the hour long ones from South Parkway. I went on the mock-up at the back of Lime Street all those years ago and thought then that two people sat side by side in thick coats in winter will be a helluva squash.

I've yet to try out a moving one, hope it has some redeeming features. I don't believe the USB sockets are at every set of seats are they? Also from reading some of this thread I take it they are air conditioned without opening windows, which is fine until it goes wrong.

Well once they’re all in it won’t quite be 45 minutes

Each seat has a usb socket, and a shared 3 pin socket. They air conditioned, with an AC module per coach and open gangways, I doubt it’ll go wrong in such a way it gets anywhere near as toasty as the current units with all of their windows open. The depot can also swap AC modules out pretty quickly.

 

[irish_rail]

They’re really not. They’re the worst seats I’ve ever sat on, and I’ve been on an IEP…



Christ. Will wonders never cease. Something we agree on

You shouldn't be surprised. There is a pattern with new trains in this country.
1. New train announced
2. Everyone assumes it will be bees knees
3. Train arrives and is actually less comfortable for passengers
4. Folk complain
5. Time elapses and the previous more comfortable stock is forgotten and the newer less comfortable stock becomes acceptable as it is now the norm. People have short memories. I for one am sorry to see the 50x go.

 

[Skie]

You shouldn't be surprised. There is a pattern with new trains in this country.
1. New train announced
2. Everyone assumes it will be bees knees
3. Train arrives and is actually less comfortable for passengers
4. Folk complain
5. Time elapses and the previous more comfortable stock is forgotten and the newer less comfortable stock becomes acceptable as it is now the norm. People have short memories. I for one am sorry to see the 50x go.

At this rate of seat hyperbole the HS2 stock will use nailbeds for seats

 

[Fastlane256]

At this rate of seat hyperbole the HS2 stock will use nailbeds for seats

if HS2 is completed in the next century.

 

[MattRat]

You shouldn't be surprised. There is a pattern with new trains in this country.
1. New train announced
2. Everyone assumes it will be bees knees
3. Train arrives and is actually less comfortable for passengers
4. Folk complain
5. Time elapses and the previous more comfortable stock is forgotten and the newer less comfortable stock becomes acceptable as it is now the norm. People have short memories. I for one am sorry to see the 50x go.

Some have taken note of the complaints though, like Avanti and WMT (which should also include LNWR when they get their new trains, as they are run by the same company).

If these are indeed trains by the people for the people, or whatever buzz phrase Rotherham is using, then we can expect a change in seats if enough people complain.

 

[Meerkat]

If the seats become generally regarded as uncomfortable that isnt good for the Merseyrail strategy.
Any proposal of extension will get a popular response of 'even further on those seats? No thanks!'

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some have taken note of the complaints though, like Avanti and WMT (which should also include LNWR when they get their new trains, as they are run by the same company).

If these are indeed trains by the people for the people, or whatever buzz phrase Rotherham is using, then we can expect a change in seats if enough people complain.

They did make a minor change due to complaints about the headrests, but sadly it wasn't to actually fix the issue, but rather thicken the upper back cushion so the whole thing pushes you forwards instead of just the headrest. I think these mockups are done far too late in the process when contracts are already signed; my real feedback would be to use an established, non controversial seat such as the Grammer E3000. Or even the Fainsa Sophia, this sort of short distance work being what it is designed for!

It will be very interesting to compare the Newcastle version of the units - the same basic metal tube (slightly different shape) but a totally different interior.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2023 ==

I've posted a detailed review in the trip reports section. Fanbois may not wish to apply

 

[emoaconr]

If the seats become generally regarded as uncomfortable that isnt good for the Merseyrail strategy.
Any proposal of extension will get a popular response of 'even further on those seats? No thanks!'

I really do no think that will have even the slightest consideration whatsoever.

 

[Pete_uk]

At this rate of seat hyperbole the HS2 stock will use nailbeds for seats

People expect seats?

 

[Sam 76]

777049 and 777009 both running 2 whole diagrams today another step forwards for the programme

 

[childwallblues]

777049 and 777009 both running 2 whole diagrams today another step forwards for the programme

Good to hear that.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

777049 and 777009 both running 2 whole diagrams today another step forwards for the programme

777 018 is also out on Kirkbys today, according to a post on the urgent TOPS thread.

is this the first time three have been in service on one day?

 

[John Luxton]

777 018 is also out on Kirkbys today, according to a post on the urgent TOPS thread.

is this the first time three have been in service on one day?

I was at Central for 12:28 to Hunt's Cross and 777018 was in Platform 1 and appeared to have technical problems.

When I arrived on the platform the indicator showed "not in service" though the 777 was showing Kirkby on its destination display. This was then changed to Not in Service and two members of staff appeared to be walking back and forwards inside

The 12:28 to Hunt's Cross was delayed by a few minutes and put in to Platform 2.

 

[Vespa]

Came back from Chester on the old train than changing at Central for the new train and noticed two 777 running no third train, hopped on 13.20 Kirkby bound 777 just as it arrived on the platform 777009 I believed and sat in the airline seat to get a second opinion and I can say it's marginally more comfortable than the open facing 4 seas.

An interesting contrasts between 507/8 seats and 777 for long journeys as I remained on the Kirby train there and back essentially 40 mins sitting.

 

[Bevan Price]

I was at Central for 12:28 to Hunt's Cross and 777018 was in Platform 1 and appeared to have technical problems.

When I arrived on the platform the indicator showed "not in service" though the 777 was showing Kirkby on its destination display. This was then changed to Not in Service and two members of staff appeared to be walking back and forwards inside

The 12:28 to Hunt's Cross was delayed by a few minutes and put in to Platform 2.

I was also at Liverpool Central at about that time. Apparently 777.018 should have worked the 12:05 to Kirkby; whatever the problem, it had been fixed in time to work the 12:50 to Kirkby. 777.007 was on the crew training duty which arrived & departed on the late 12:20 e.c.s. to Kirkby. Then 777.049 arrived to work the slightly delayed 12:35 to Kirkby, which was very well loaded as there had been no Kirkby services since 11:50.

One service from Ormskirk appears to have been terminated at Sandhills.

As my first ride on a Class 777, I found the seats hard, but tolerable for short journeys. Riding quality was generally good, but a bit rough at Walton Junction - although may possibly be due to track condition rather than the unit.

P.S. Does anyone know the weight of Class 777s ? The usual information about weight, length, capacity, etc. usually found between coaches on most multiple units seems to be absent on 777s.

 

[Liverpool 507]

I was also at Liverpool Central at about that time. Apparently 777.018 should have worked the 12:05 to Kirkby; whatever the problem, it had been fixed in time to work the 12:50 to Kirkby. 777.007 was on the crew training duty which arrived & departed on the late 12:20 e.c.s. to Kirkby. Then 777.049 arrived to work the slightly delayed 12:35 to Kirkby, which was very well loaded as there had been no Kirkby services since 11:50.

One service from Ormskirk appears to have been terminated at Sandhills.

As my first ride on a Class 777, I found the seats hard, but tolerable for short journeys. Riding quality was generally good, but a bit rough at Walton Junction - although may possibly be due to track condition rather than the unit.

P.S. Does anyone know the weight of Class 777s ? The usual information about weight, length, capacity, etc. usually found between coaches on most multiple units seems to be absent on 777s.

I believe they’re 99 tonnes

 

[Bevan Price]

I believe they’re 99 tonnes

Thanks

 

[pokemonsuper9]

P.S. Does anyone know the weight of Class 777s ? The usual information about weight, length, capacity, etc. usually found between coaches on most multiple units seems to be absent on 777s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_777 has more details

 

[Liverpool 507]

Thanks

The battery fitted sets have been quoted as weighing 104 tonnes. Just half a tonne less of what a 507/8 weighs.

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Hi just asking if all the Liverpool Central Kirkby services are now operated by 777s as they were planned too fron 20th February?

Luke

 

[Jamesrob637]

Hi just asking if all the Liverpool Central Kirkby services are now operated by 777s as they were planned too fron 20th February?

Luke

All bar the very last service I believe.

 

[LPJOHN]

I have not seen any 777 running today. The 10:13 this morning from Kirkby was a 507/508. I missed a Kirkby train at Liverpool Central by seconds this afternoon and again it was old stock, and the next train was also old stock.

 

[TheSel]

Hi just asking if all the Liverpool Central Kirkby services are now operated by 777s as they were planned too fron 20th February?

Luke

All bar the very last service I believe.

That's the plan. But not everything works to plan 100% of the time!

The reason the last journey (2355 ex Liverpool Central) is worked by a 507/508 is that it's done by a set that's spent its day trundling up and down between Southport and Hunts Cross, up to and including 2U68 - the 2227 Southport - Hunts Cross (arrive 2332). It then works ECS as 5K61 2337 Hunts Cross - Liverpool Central (2353) to form the 2355 Liverpool Central to Kirkby. As such, it is likely to remain 507/508 worked for some time.

 

[Ribbleman]

I have not seen any 777 running today. The 10:13 this morning from Kirkby was a 507/508. I missed a Kirkby train at Liverpool Central by seconds this afternoon and again it was old stock, and the next train was also old stock.

Clearly something has gone amiss. Greatest Hits Radio has been carrying adverts for the 777s on the Kirkby line, informing listeners of their introduction and that they will be coming to the rest of the Merseyrail network. A bit awkward after all the delays if just three sets cannot be turned out. Perhaps it’s down to insufficient numbers of crew trained on them?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Clearly something has gone amiss. Greatest Hits Radio has been carrying adverts for the 777s on the Kirkby line, informing listeners of their introduction and that they will be coming to the rest of the Merseyrail network. A bit awkward after all the delays if just three sets cannot be turned out. Perhaps it’s down to insufficient numbers of crew trained on them?

Has there EVER been a piece of rolling stock that suffered no teething issues?

 

[315801]

Not that I know of.

The 507s had teething problems when they entered service during the withdrawal of the 502s and as far as I any 602s that were left worked alongside several class 503s which were sent over to the Northern Lineto help maintain the service.

 

[TheSel]

Not that I know of.

The 507s had teething problems when they entered service during the withdrawal of the 502s and as far as I any 602s that were left worked alongside several class 503s which were sent over to the Northern Lineto help maintain the service.

The first 503s came to what we now regard as the Northern Lines in 1977, primarily to work the (then new) Kirkby - Garston serices that started in January 1978. As this was some time prior to entry into service of the first 507s on 1 November 1978, it's not strictly true to say that this was due to teething troubles with the then new units.

 

[BlythPower]

Had a spin on a couple of Lucky 7's yesterday. First up was 777018 on the 11:20 Central to Kirby followed by its return as far as Sandhills. There were a few other folk on board along for the experience with some photographing family members in front of it at Kirby! The ride seemed good apart from the return from Kirby on the single track section where, for goodness sake, it had a bad case of the hippy hippy shakes and was lurching around quite violently. The seat shape was comfy enough for me but the base is very solid even for a relatively short journey. Later in the day I was on 777049 from Central to Sandhills. I don't know if it's due to being built at different locations or if 049 (just realised it's 7 x 7!) has been used a lot more but the ride was noticeably bumpier in the tunnels and there was a very loud almost buzzing bump repeatedly at one stretch. Design-wise the vents in the top of the faux-wood side panels don't seem like the best of ideas as I can see all sorts being stuffed into them.

 

[Sam 76]

Clearly something has gone amiss. Greatest Hits Radio has been carrying adverts for the 777s on the Kirkby line, informing listeners of their introduction and that they will be coming to the rest of the Merseyrail network. A bit awkward after all the delays if just three sets cannot be turned out. Perhaps it’s down to insufficient numbers of crew trained on them?

Can confirm that the diagram including the 17:20 LVC- Kirkby was formed of a 507 today. So I guess they are not out as you say. Probably nothing to worry about and they will probably be back in the next couple of days