Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[87015]

Unless there's possessions in place overnight which would make it impossible, surely it's cheaper to pay for a few drivers to come in and book a few paths to keep trains moving over night to prevent such issues, rather than the cost of providing rail replacements and upsetting customers.

I presume in this instance network rail would be liable for the delay/cancellation costs as its their track anyway but still.

Normal midweek overnight possessions will be cancelled for de-icers to run. This is standard practice (away from merseyrail at least going off the above) for 3rd rail operations.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Unless there's possessions in place overnight which would make it impossible, surely it's cheaper to pay for a few drivers to come in and book a few paths to keep trains moving over night to prevent such issues, rather than the cost of providing rail replacements and upsetting customers.

I presume in this instance network rail would be liable for the delay/cancellation costs as its their track anyway but still.

That's been the practice for at least 70 years, latterly with deicers fitted. The 77s are meant to have 'heated' pick-ups, but it looks like those don't help much.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Unless there's possessions in place overnight which would make it impossible, surely it's cheaper to pay for a few drivers to come in and book a few paths to keep trains moving over night to prevent such issues, rather than the cost of providing rail replacements and upsetting customers.

I presume in this instance network rail would be liable for the delay/cancellation costs as its their track anyway but still.

It wouldn't have done much good today. The early morning services all seemed to run OK and the chaos only started between 07:00 and 08:00. No doubt Network Rail, i.e. us, will be picking up the bill but what can they do if it snows after the service has started and the trains can't cope with it?

 

[RichardAsh1981]

It wouldn't have done much good today. The early morning services all seemed to run OK and the chaos only started between 07:00 and 08:00. No doubt Network Rail, i.e. us, will be picking up the bill but what can they do if it snows after the service has started and the trains can't cope with it?

This morning I checked the website and Merseyrail App at about 07:45 (as advised), services were advertised as running with a few delays. Walked to the station in good time for the 0807. By the time I got there, everything was cancelled "due to severe weather", and the booking office queue was reforming itself to get their tickets refunded.

Today was the best day this week, only a small amount of snow fell overnight and that had stopped by 07:00. So on the ground it didn't feel like a lot of weather to bring the entire Wirral lines to an immediate stand, particularly when there had been trains as far as Hooton earlier in the week (when conditions in the outside world were worse).

 

[DJH1971]

What's the latest regarding 777035, as this is said to be the only new unit not yet in service?

 

[Prime586]

What's the latest regarding 777035, as this is said to be the only new unit not yet in service?

I doubt it has moved since the last reported sighting on 14/12, in the siding up against the back wall in Kirkdale (second left in this picture taken last November). After it's delivery mishap on the way from Dollands Moor to Ashford, I expect it won't be doing much until at least all it's brakes are replaced.

 

[DJH1971]

I doubt it has moved since the last reported sighting on 14/12, in the siding up against the back wall in Kirkdale (second left in this picture taken last November). After it's delivery mishap on the way from Dollands Moor to Ashford, I expect it won't be doing much until at least all it's brakes are replaced.

Oh yes, the brakes being locked.

Wonder if Merseyrail could claim compensation for this from Stadler?

 

[Prime586]

Oh yes, the brakes being locked.

Wonder if Merseyrail could claim compensation for this from Stadler?

I imagine part of the reason it's been sat there waiting to get repaired is that there have been solicitors letters circulating between all the parties involved (Merseytravel, Stadler, DB Cargo) over who is going to pay.

 

[MR-507508]

 

[Prime586]

His test regime should have included dwell time (i.e. from doors open to doors open, not starting to stopping), but if he never bothered doing that with his 507/8 timings you can't really compare them.

 

[karlbbb]

His test regime should have included dwell time (i.e. from doors open to doors open, not starting to stopping), but if he never bothered doing that with his 507/8 timings you can't really compare them.

I think the stopping to starting is perhaps better in this case as I'm often still waiting 5-10 seconds from the train stopping to the doors becoming unlocked, which then lets me press the button to start the doors opening.

 

[Skie]

Oh yes, the brakes being locked.

Wonder if Merseyrail could claim compensation for this from Stadler?

The units aren’t handed over until they’ve done their fault free running, so it’ll be Stadler footing the bill for everything (or having to claim it from DB). It’s likely Merseytravel will be getting compo for not having use of the full set of units yet, but depends on the contract.

 

[Northerngirl]

Almost every run seems to be loosing a couple minutes at brunswick heading to Liverpool today., any idea what's causing it

 

[73001]

Almost every run seems to be loosing a couple minutes at brunswick heading to Liverpool today., any idea what's causing it

Theyve had a lot of signalling issues on that section over the last few weeks... could be that?

 

[M28361M]

Theyve had a lot of signalling issues on that section over the last few weeks... could be that?

That seems likely, my train this morning was held at a signal between Brunswick and Liverpool Central and eventually passed it at danger after the driver had a chat with the signaller.

 

[Vinnym]

A lot of delays and cancellations early afternoon today on Hunts Cross to Ormskirk, waited for 15 mins At Old Roan waiting to go to a Ormskirk. Screens showing delayed on all services. Eventually an announcement to say major disruption due to a fault at Brunswick. Next train expected in 30 mins, announcement was hard to understand as the person making it spoke so fast it was hard to comprehend.

 

[40029 Saxonia]

What's the latest regarding 777035, as this is said to be the only new unit not yet in service?

Does anyone know if 777004 has returned to service yet? Thanks

 

[jamesst]

Does anyone know if 777004 has returned to service yet? Thanks

Nope, no chance of it retuning soon

 

[Northerngirl]

Nope, no chance of it retuning soon

What's wrong with it

 

[MR-507508]

Anybody know what the box-type structures (highlighted in the image below) are which feature on only a few of the chair backs/headrests on the 777s?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Anybody know what the box-type structures (highlighted in the image below) are which feature on only a few of the chair backs/headrests on the 777s?

View attachment 173010

Curious. My first thought is those light grey boxes are a mistake. They were perhaps supposed to be bay of four seat headrests and would have had another dark grey soft pad (like you can see elsewhere in the picture) for the seat backing onto what is there.

 

[WirralLine]

Curious. My first thought is those light grey boxes are a mistake. They were perhaps supposed to be bay of four seat headrests and would have had another dark grey soft pad (like you can see elsewhere in the picture) for the seat backing onto what is there.

I've noticed this, they only seem to be on the seats which are higher up than the seats behind. Maybe something to grab onto to pull yourself up?

 

[MR-507508]

I noticed this evening there have been a series of ECS moves on the Ormskirk/Hunts Cross line, as shown below. Does anyone know what the purpose of these moves are - are they 8 Car testing/training or driver training on 4 Car 777s? I was under the impression all driver training was complete, at least for 4 Car operation?
I seem to recall there was a series of similar runs between Headbolt Lane and Hunts Cross the other week, and on the Hunts Cross stretch earlier this week, again of an evening.
5G80 2020 Kirkdale C.S. to Ormskirk
5D81 2050 Ormskirk to Kirkdale C.S.
5T90 2137 Kirkdale C.S. to Hunts Cross
5T91 2200 Hunts Cross to Sandhills
5T91 2216 Sandhills to Ormskirk
5T92 2235 Ormskirk to Kirkdale C.S.

 

[jamesst]

I noticed this evening there have been a series of ECS moves on the Ormskirk/Hunts Cross line, as shown below. Does anyone know what the purpose of these moves are - are they 8 Car testing/training or driver training on 4 Car 777s? I was under the impression all driver training was complete, at least for 4 Car operation?
I seem to recall there was a series of similar runs between Headbolt Lane and Hunts Cross the other week, and on the Hunts Cross stretch earlier this week, again of an evening.
5G80 2020 Kirkdale C.S. to Ormskirk
5D81 2050 Ormskirk to Kirkdale C.S.
5T90 2137 Kirkdale C.S. to Hunts Cross
5T91 2200 Hunts Cross to Sandhills
5T91 2216 Sandhills to Ormskirk
5T92 2235 Ormskirk to Kirkdale C.S.

Paths for normal testing and 8 car Asdo testing

 

[Prime586]

I've noticed this, they only seem to be on the seats which are higher up than the seats behind. Maybe something to grab onto to pull yourself up?

The only appear on the back of the first pairs of seats mounted 'up the ramp' when there is a pair of seats facing the same direction behind them. I think they may be head impact safety pads - in the event of an accident, the top edge of the metal seat frame of the raised seats is in line with where the grey rectangular pad nornmally is for seats on the same level. I think the extended pad is to prevent the head of passengers sat behind the raised seats hitting the top edge of the seat frame in a collision.

 

[karlbbb]

So almost two years since public service started and there are still unit(s) that can't be paired. I just passed 777142 with a big "X no multi X" sign in its front window.

 

[MR-507508]

So almost two years since public service started and there are still unit(s) that can't be paired. I just passed 777142 with a big "X no multi X" sign in its front window.

While out on the network on Saturday, most units I saw had the X sign at the front and/or back. It was easier to state which units didn't have the sign. Any particular reason why a large number seem to be unable to pair?

 

[Sam 76]

There has been some progress on this today it seems. For the first time in a long time there are 3x8 car sets on the Southport peaks

While out on the network on Saturday, most units I saw had the X sign at the front and/or back. It was easier to state which units didn't have the sign. Any particular reason why a large number seem to be unable to pair?

 

[WirralLine]

The only appear on the back of the first pairs of seats mounted 'up the ramp' when there is a pair of seats facing the same direction behind them. I think they may be head impact safety pads - in the event of an accident, the top edge of the metal seat frame of the raised seats is in line with where the grey rectangular pad nornmally is for seats on the same level. I think the extended pad is to prevent the head of passengers sat behind the raised seats hitting the top edge of the seat frame in a collision.

I thought that initially when I first sat on the seats behind, until I touched them and realised they're solid and would probably break your skull if you hit it in a collision!

 

[karlbbb]

While out on the network on Saturday, most units I saw had the X sign at the front and/or back. It was easier to state which units didn't have the sign. Any particular reason why a large number seem to be unable to pair?

Given I hadn't seen any for months and suddenly saw one today (and now you reporting seeing a number on Saturday) makes me think perhaps a new wave of software updates are rolling out and the incompatible trains are not yet updated?