Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[Skie]

002 was the unit fitted with batteries as part of the trial. 049 was one of the first into revenue service.

 

[8A Rail]

002 was the unit fitted with batteries as part of the trial. 049 was one of the first into revenue service.

Yes that is true but there seems to be some information at the time of its arrival at Kirkdale, it did have batteries fitted and was on test later too. However, again I'm not 100% certain and I am not sure anyone else is also unless they were part of the '777 team'? A mystery to be solved? (As stated in my previous message No 777049 was the first unit in passenger / revenue service).

 

[Peter Sarf]

Yes that is true but there seems to be some information at the time of its arrival at Kirkdale, it did have batteries fitted and was on test later too. However, again I'm not 100% certain and I am not sure anyone else is also unless they were part of the '777 team'? A mystery to be solved? (As stated in my previous message No 777049 was the first unit in passenger / revenue service).

I wonder if the record of batteries being fitted to 777049 were just the small battery pack allowing short moves that all the 777s have. Maybe delivered separately. Also note 777049 would be from the factory that does not produce the traction battery fitted 777/1s whereas 777002 is, as below.

002 was the unit fitted with batteries as part of the trial. 049 was one of the first into revenue service.

Interesting that such a high numbered 777 was the first in service !. Almost the last in the number range.

 

[8A Rail]

I wonder if the record of batteries being fitted to 777049 were just the small battery pack allowing short moves that all the 777s have. Maybe delivered separately. Also note 777049 would be from the factory that does not produce the traction battery fitted 777/1s whereas 777002 is, as below.

Interesting that such a high numbered 777 was the first in service !. Almost the last in the number range.

Regarding the 'batteries', it is a bit of mystery but certainly that was the information coming out around the time of its arrival. I am aware of production line, odd numbers from Poland, even numbers from Switzerland.

 

[Liverpool 507]

Looking like tomorrow is the debut of 777s on the Southport line, starting with 1S00.

 

[karlbbb]

Interesting to see they’ll be given class 1 headcode (1Sxx/1Uxx) but at least they’ll be easy to spot on the various maps.

 

[Bertie the bus]

It will be even easier to spot when the 1 turns to a 5 as it heads back to Kirkdale in disgrace.

 

[Sam 76]

777020 has the honours of being the first Southport to Hunts Cross 777. Started with 1S00 for those interested.

 

[Liverpool 507]

Running 12 mins late from Freshfield currently, 1U17 has had issues there.

EDIT: Delay was down to a disruptive passenger

 

[Sam 76]

Running 12 mins late from Freshfield currently, 1U17 has had issues there.

They seem to be stopping it at Formby to count passenger numbers. Stopped for about 5 mins this morning to do so

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Merseyrail were limiting the numbers of passengers allowed on the platform at Kirkdale after the Everton game yesterday. Long queues of southbound passengers developed on the higher level, making it difficult for northbound supporters to get to their platform. It was also difficult for people needing to access the ticket office.

This didn't happen in previous seasons, so might it be connected with the 777s? When I went to the Open at Hoylake last summer a 777 failed and the passengers were made to disembark. I suspect this was because it was overloaded.

There we also issues with the Soccerbus service from Sandhills before the game with buses not appearing until 75 mins before the game instead of the usual 120.

 

[Vinnym]

Merseyrail were limiting the numbers of passengers allowed on the platform at Kirkdale after the Everton game yesterday. Long queues of southbound passengers developed on the higher level, making it difficult for northbound supporters to get to their platform. It was also difficult for people needing to access the ticket office.

This didn't happen in previous seasons, so might it be connected with the 777s? When I went to the Open at Hoylake last summer a 777 failed and the passengers were made to disembark. I suspect this was because it was overloaded.

There we also issues with the Soccerbus service from Sandhills before the game with buses not appearing until 75 mins before the game instead of the usual 120.

Sunday service, obviously causing this. Contacted Merseyrail many years ago about poor service regarding evening games at Anfield and large crowds trying to board services northbound after games at Kirkdale never get a reply, things haven’t changed much.

 

[Kite159]

Sunday service, obviously causing this. Contacted Merseyrail many years ago about poor service regarding evening games at Anfield and large crowds trying to board services northbound after games at Kirkdale never get a reply, things haven’t changed much.

Compare with London Overground whom on days Spurs are at home on Sundays will try and run all their services from Liverpool Street as 8 coaches (rather than the usual 4 coaches), even with a handful of limited stop "football extras" to help shift crowds from White Hart Lane.

Is there any news when 777s will work in passenger service as pairs to help with some overcrowding?

 

[Old Yard Dog]

The first and only two really useful southbound trains from Kirkdale after the Everton game were a 4-car 777 followed by a 6-car 507/8 11 mins later. The latter cleared the queue. It's a 19 min wait after that.

I would have thought Sandhills was nearer to Anfield for Liverpool fans than Kirkdale. Sandhills has up to twice as many southbound trains than Kirkdale and also has the advantage of being a largely downhill walk.

Anybody know when Stagecoach took over the Sandhills Soccerbus from the People's Bus? The service seems to have got worse.

 

[507021]

The first and only two really useful southbound trains from Kirkdale after the Everton game were a 4-car 777 followed by a 6-car 507/8 11 mins later. The latter cleared the queue. It's a 19 min wait after that.

I would have thought Sandhills was nearer to Anfield for Liverpool fans than Kirkdale. Sandhills has up to twice as many southbound trains than Kirkdale and also has the advantage of being a largely downhill walk.

Anybody know when Stagecoach took over the Sandhills Soccerbus from the People's Bus? The service seems to have got worse.

July, from memory.

 

[TheSel]

The first and only two really useful southbound trains from Kirkdale after the Everton game were a 4-car 777 followed by a 6-car 507/8 11 mins later. The latter cleared the queue. It's a 19 min wait after that.

I would have thought Sandhills was nearer to Anfield for Liverpool fans than Kirkdale. Sandhills has up to twice as many southbound trains than Kirkdale and also has the advantage of being a largely downhill walk.

Anybody know when Stagecoach took over the Sandhills Soccerbus from the People's Bus? The service seems to have got worse.

July, from memory.

Just to clarify, and at the risk of straying off the subject which is supposed to be about introducing Class 777s!

Stagecoach did not simply take over the Soccerbus from Peoplesbus, they bought all their sevices and a substantial part of the fleet.

This link to an article from 'Route One', published 21 June 2023 . Relevant section reads:

Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire is to purchase the bus services and 23 vehicles of Merseyside independent operator Peoplesbus.​

​

The deal will see those, along with 21 employees, transfer to Stagecoach on Sunday 9 July. All will move from the Peoplesbus site in Aintree to the group’s nearby depot at Gillmoss in the north of Liverpool.​

​

Included are all tendered local and home-to-school services along with commercial school routes and football shuttles. That work will operate under the Stagecoach brand and acquired buses will gradually be repainted into Stagecoach livery.​

​

Meanwhile, back on topic ... I am at Liverpool Central, where 777019 has failed with a door sensor, about to work the 1122 to Ellesmere Port. Wirral Line round Liverpool loop at a standstill.

Further update. 777019 finally left at 1138. Following West Kirby service (nominally the 1125) was terminated at Liverpool Central due to the late running (it was blue & grey 507001). Following 1130 to Chester then left at 1145 and is running semi-fast to make up time. Announced as calling James St, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead Central, Hooton, Bache and Chester only.

 

[lrailadventure]

It would seem Merseyrail are having a brilliant time with train faults at the moment...


[A screenshot from the Merseyrail website showing major disruption on the Northern lines due to a faulty train at Sandhills, and minor disruption on the Wirral Lines due to a faulty train at Liverpool Central]

Don't know whether it's 777 related or 507/8 related as Sandhills is currently a mess on traksy..

 

[karlbbb]

It would seem Merseyrail are having a brilliant time with train faults at the moment...

View attachment 148375
[A screenshot from the Merseyrail website showing major disruption on the Northern lines due to a faulty train at Sandhills, and minor disruption on the Wirral Lines due to a faulty train at Liverpool Central]

Don't know whether it's 777 related or 507/8 related as Sandhills is currently a mess on traksy..

The Sandhills part is certainly 777 related. Looks like one 777 stuck and one sent to connect up as an attempted rescue, according to a photo in a Facebook group.

Southports currently wrong-line running from Moorfields (Leeds St. Jnc.) to Bootle Jnc.

 

[Northerngirl]

Glad I'm only on the wirral line today, although I would be interested in seeing two together

 

[M28361M]

Looks like 2O22, the 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk was the one that failed. From the photo I saw it was on the viaduct between Moorfields and Sandhills.

Realtime Trains | 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk | 12/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 1131 departure from Liverpool Central to Ormskirk on 12/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[karlbbb]

Looks like 2O22, the 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk was the one that failed. From the photo I saw it was on the viaduct between Moorfields and Sandhills.

Realtime Trains | 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk | 12/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 1131 departure from Liverpool Central to Ormskirk on 12/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Watching on OTT it seems the breakdown was at least partially fixed, as the two trains ran separately as 5O22 and 1Z99 back into Kirkdale.

 

[507020]

Re: 777049. It was brought up from Dollands Moor to Arpley Sidings on 16 March 2022 (with 013 & 015), then it was taken to Crewe CS the following day (and that is confirmed, as I do have an image of the movement). On 30 March 2022, it was then along with 777010 transported to Kirkdale Depot. From information received, No 777049 did have batteries fitted initially for testing purposes on the MR system but however, this is not 100% though. Certainly No 777049 had the honour of being the first Class 777 into public service on 23 January 2023.

I recall that 777049 was delivered having been fitted with a traction battery borrowed from a TfW unit for testing purposes, which was smaller than the batteries that were ordered specifically for the 777s when these tests proved to be successful, but larger than the depot battery fitted to all 777s. It was also higher numbered than any other 777 delivered at that point.

It then worked the first passenger service to Kirkby, conveying Steve Rotheram and several news teams among other passengers including myself.

777020 has the honours of being the first Southport to Hunts Cross 777. Started with 1S00 for those interested.

Not a lot has been said about yesterday’s service. I noticed “They’re coming” banners appearing along the Southport line last week, but knew nothing about how soon they would start.

As it happened, I wandered down to Birkdale station for 2S79 because I couldn’t sleep, then missed it and a few minutes later I was astounded to see 777020 turn up!

I may therefore be the only passenger who was aboard the first public runs to all of Kirkby, Ormskirk and Southport!

 

[urbophile]

Looks like 2O22, the 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk was the one that failed. From the photo I saw it was on the viaduct between Moorfields and Sandhills.

Realtime Trains | 1131 Liverpool Central to Ormskirk | 12/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 1131 departure from Liverpool Central to Ormskirk on 12/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Having been held up at St Michaels on one of the trains stuck behind it, I'm sorry but not surprised that it was one of the 777s. I was looking forward to more of them on the Hunts Cross line but it seems at the very least a mixed blessing.

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Can anyone tell me if the 777 will be on the Hunts Cross - Southport line tomorrow and which service will be 777 operated any way of finding out I get on at South Parkway

 

[Liverpool 507]

777001 was the unit that failed at Sandhills

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Can anyone tell me if the 777 will be on the Hunts Cross - Southport line tomorrow and which service will be 777 operated any way of finding out I get on at South Parkway

From Liverpool South Parkway, planned to be:

0811 to Hunts Cross
0824 to Southport
1040 to Hunts Cross
1054 to Southport
1311 to Hunts Cross
1324 to Southport
1542 to Hunts Cross
1554 to Southport
1811 to Hunts Cross
1824 to Southport

Obviously they’re not the most reliable things at the moment and this is their newest route making things even more difficult, so it may be substituted for a 507 at short notice.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There were two 777s at Wembley all day Tuesday 12th; unfortunately a container train bowled me on both passes so I can't confirm which two...

 

[Sam 76]

From Liverpool South Parkway, planned to be:

0811 to Hunts Cross
0824 to Southport
1040 to Hunts Cross
1054 to Southport
1311 to Hunts Cross
1324 to Southport
1542 to Hunts Cross
1554 to Southport
1811 to Hunts Cross
1824 to Southport

Obviously they’re not the most reliable things at the moment and this is their newest route making things even more difficult, so it may be substituted for a 507 at short notice.

All is well so far. 777001 has the honours today

 

[gka472l]

There were two 777s at Wembley all day Tuesday 12th; unfortunately a container train bowled me on both passes so I can't confirm which two...

777032 & 777034 are the two still at Wembley

HTH

 

[Jamesrob637]

There were two 777s at Wembley all day Tuesday 12th; unfortunately a container train bowled me on both passes so I can't confirm which two...

They were there on the 17th of November and we're not far off the 17th of December! I guess the need to move them isn't too pressing.