Merseyrail 777 introduction

[Vinnym]

I've noticed the timetables on the train screens are also wrong, or at least they differ from the booked times showing on RTT and station PIS.

I'm on 2O40 and screen times are showing 2 minutes ahead of the booked time. This is having the effect of the train thinking it's late and marking the times in red text instead of white.

Noticed that myself on Monday, train I was on was actually running one minute early, but showing one minute late and in red.

 

[baldyman26]

I pointed that out to a guard who was very chatty, he said that it's really hard to update the PIS as it doesn't work properly and never has. Don't know how true it is but given it causes so many faults it probably makes sense. Does anyone know how it gets updated and why they can't get it right?

 

[jamesst]

Noticed that myself on Monday, train I was on was actually running one minute early, but showing one minute late and in red.

Thats because linking the pis to the headcode was a total mess from the start.
The maps and station calling points will remain but the times will disappear with a forthcoming update as the pis will change to a manually inserted code rather than the trains headcode.

 

[Ellis101]

I’ve noticed this for a while now, upon a door being released it will sometimes within the second of being released suddenly start closing again??

I’ve just had it happen to me whilst attempting to board and it wasn’t a nice experience.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Mar 2026 ==



Seems like during the grand national the Southport - Hunts Cross service will be temporarily reinstated however, Cressington once again gets its service cut in half which is better than completely closing the station and running a shuttle bus I guess.

Does it really take what nearly or over 2 years to get SDO working?

It is starting to become an insult to the people of Cressington and everyone else who's had to deal with the short formed services.

 

[jamesst]

I’ve noticed this for a while now, upon a door being released it will sometimes within the second of being released suddenly start closing again??

I’ve just had it happen to me whilst attempting to board and it wasn’t a nice experience.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Mar 2026 ==

View attachment 201150

Seems like during the grand national the Southport - Hunts Cross service will be temporarily reinstated however, Cressington once again gets its service cut in half which is better than completely closing the station and running a shuttle bus I guess.

Does it really take what nearly or over 2 years to get SDO working?

It is starting to become an insult to the people of Cressington and everyone else who's had to deal with the short formed services.

Its not getting its service cut in half, theres 2 circuits out of 10 booked to be 8car. Don't be surprised if they aren't.

But yeah its not a good look.

 

[Polarbear]

I’ve noticed this for a while now, upon a door being released it will sometimes within the second of being released suddenly start closing again??

I’ve just had it happen to me whilst attempting to board and it wasn’t a nice experience.

I’ve noticed this on several occasions too.

From personal observation, it appears to be linked to the ramps that extend to meet the platform edge. On some occasions, the ramp seems to extend out quickly, reaches its limit before the door cycle has completed, which seems to trigger the system to try & close the doors?

Appreciate that’s my own take & far from scientific, but maybe others can shed some light on what the problem could be?

 

[RichardAsh1981]

From personal observation, it appears to be linked to the ramps that extend to meet the platform edge. On some occasions, the ramp seems to extend out quickly, reaches its limit before the door cycle has completed, which seems to trigger the system to try & close the doors?

I have seen the same thing. I think the step overshoots because it fails to detect the platform edge, then has to back off to the correct place. The system freezes the doors and sounds the alarm whilst the step is moving back, which is quite alarming.

 

[Northerngirl]

I have seen the same thing. I think the step overshoots because it fails to detect the platform edge, then has to back off to the correct place. The system freezes the doors and sounds the alarm whilst the step is moving back, which is quite alarming.

Also if you step on it before it's stopped moving, which is definitely not the safest when you step disappears unexpectedly, its only been the last few months so id guess they have made the detecting more sensitive

 

[87031]

These units do not keep good time at all, the stopping at stations seems to have slowed down since the 508s. Slow door opening does not help.

 

[nilvaj395]

I have seen the same thing. I think the step overshoots because it fails to detect the platform edge, then has to back off to the correct place. The system freezes the doors and sounds the alarm whilst the step is moving back, which is quite alarming.

I believe this is the case. It's also more likely when wet or slippy as this obviously means the step can stop less quickly than in dry conditions.

 

[Class450/4DES]

777039 just had to be cancelled due to a technical fault. It has a broken wiper.

 

[childwallblues]

I’ve noticed this for a while now, upon a door being released it will sometimes within the second of being released suddenly start closing again??

I’ve just had it happen to me whilst attempting to board and it wasn’t a nice experience.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Mar 2026 ==

View attachment 201150

Seems like during the grand national the Southport - Hunts Cross service will be temporarily reinstated however, Cressington once again gets its service cut in half which is better than completely closing the station and running a shuttle bus I guess.

Does it really take what nearly or over 2 years to get SDO working?

It is starting to become an insult to the people of Cressington and everyone else who's had to deal with the short formed services.

It is better not to stop at Cressington with an 8 car train. All four car trains can stop so that passengers do not have to go under the overbridge which has limited headroom.

 

[MR-507508]

Anyone know what units are working the ECS test runs today between Kirkdale depot and Liverpool South Parkway please? I assume 8 Car SDO testing?

 

[VT 390]

It is better not to stop at Cressington with an 8 car train. All four car trains can stop so that passengers do not have to go under the overbridge which has limited headroom.

Is there a reason why they can not just release the doors in 1 unit (4 carriages) only if a service is formed of 8 carriages?

 

[Ellis101]

It is better not to stop at Cressington with an 8 car train. All four car trains can stop so that passengers do not have to go under the overbridge which has limited headroom.

I'd agree but peak time services on the Hunts Cross line were 6 cars for a reason.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there a reason why they can not just release the doors in 1 unit (4 carriages) only if a service is formed of 8 carriages?

I thought there was some sort of problem with the ASDO?

 

[Liverpool 507]

I thought there was some sort of problem with the ASDO?

I was under the impression that the ASDO was completed, it was the staff training and unit availability for said training that was being deferred due to staff and unit unavailability.

 

[Vinnym]

I'd agree but peak time services on the Hunts Cross line were 6 cars for a reason.

They were also the norm on the Ormskirk line at peak times.

 

[M28361M]

Anyone know what units are working the ECS test runs today between Kirkdale depot and Liverpool South Parkway please? I assume 8 Car SDO testing?

Do you mean 5T80 1025 Kirkdale CS to Liverpool South Parkway and so on, on Sunday? They didn't run, according to RTT.

 

[MR-507508]

Do you mean 5T80 1025 Kirkdale CS to Liverpool South Parkway and so on, on Sunday? They didn't run, according to RTT.

They did run (well, 5T80 - 5T83). I saw them running on OpenTrainTimes with the same headcodes, but for some reason they don't show as running on RTT.

 

[urbophile]

I was under the impression that the ASDO was completed, it was the staff training and unit availability for said training that was being deferred due to staff and unit unavailability.

Whatever the reason, it reflects badly on Merseyrail's management. Cressington is my local station, and recently there have been days when the service is reduced to every 30 minutes or sometimes cancelled altogether. Some years ago now (maybe nearly 10?) when they were raising the platforms across the network in preparation for level boarding, I was surprised to see that the extended platforms beyond the bridge were left as they were. No explanation (at least that I was aware of) was given at the time. I can see that continuing to use those very narrow platforms would be a problem for health and safety, but why has it taken them so long to get their act together? They knew about the problem since the trains were ordered.

Cressington might be the least used station on the Hunts Cross section, but it is still very busy especially at rush hours. It's not some basket case rural outpost that can be easily abandoned.

 

[baldyman26]

This is a Merseytravel and Metro Mayor mess not Merseyrail. And it will only get worse when the local authority gets their grubby mitts on it.

 

[jamesst]

This is a Merseytravel and Metro Mayor mess not Merseyrail. And it will only get worse when the local authority gets their grubby mitts on it.

To be fair Merseytravel, the beloved Metro Mayor, Merseyrail, Stadler and Network Rail should all be sharing the blame for the current mess, instead its the usual blame/scapegoat game.

 

[bahnause]

To be fair Merseytravel, the beloved Metro Mayor, Merseyrail, Stadler and Network Rail should all be sharing the blame for the current mess, instead its the usual blame/scapegoat game.

The blame game has even gone so far as to point the finger at the mayor, who wasn't even in office at the time the concept was developed, the technical design approved and order was placed.

 

[bramling]

The blame game has even gone so far as to point the finger at the mayor, who wasn't even in office at the time the concept was developed, the technical design approved and order was placed.

Does anyone even officially acknowledge that there are issues with the 777 fleet? Normally the way these things go is everything’s all good even if it isn’t. Same with the IEP fleets.

 

[baldyman26]

I think it's got to the point were ignorance is bliss

 

[Liverpool 507]

Does anyone even officially acknowledge that there are issues with the 777 fleet? Normally the way these things go is everything’s all good even if it isn’t. Same with the IEP fleets.

The discounted Southport tickets on selected days this year for events in the town are stated as discounted by funds recovered from Stadler.

 

[Ellis101]

Whatever the reason, it reflects badly on Merseyrail's management. Cressington is my local station, and recently there have been days when the service is reduced to every 30 minutes or sometimes cancelled altogether. Some years ago now (maybe nearly 10?) when they were raising the platforms across the network in preparation for level boarding, I was surprised to see that the extended platforms beyond the bridge were left as they were. No explanation (at least that I was aware of) was given at the time. I can see that continuing to use those very narrow platforms would be a problem for health and safety, but why has it taken them so long to get their act together? They knew about the problem since the trains were ordered.

Cressington might be the least used station on the Hunts Cross section, but it is still very busy especially at rush hours. It's not some basket case rural outpost that can be easily abandoned.

It’s incredibly frustrating that Merseyrail hasn’t provided any official communication about how and why the current situation persists in 2026. While occasional spokesperson appearances in news articles are welcome, they’re insufficient.

Service quality has been severely compromised for many commuters, particularly those travelling during peak times. This includes shorter trains and service reductions and part closures at Cressington.

For many people, Merseyrail and rail travel in general are lifesavers during peak times. For example, someone like me in the south of the city can travel to school or work in 15 minutes by Merseyrail or 50 minutes by bus.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised if people start to avoid using Merseyrail. While peak commutes shouldn’t be a luxury or guaranteed comfortable experience, it’s disappointing that longer trains with better frequency are no longer available when they once were after spending £500m on new trains replacing 45-year-old ones. Questions need to be asked, not just assumed.

 

[bramling]

It’s incredibly frustrating that Merseyrail hasn’t provided any official communication about how and why the current situation persists in 2026. While occasional spokesperson appearances in news articles are welcome, they’re insufficient.

Service quality has been severely compromised for many commuters, particularly those travelling during peak times. This includes shorter trains and service reductions and part closures at Cressington.

For many people, Merseyrail and rail travel in general are lifesavers during peak times. For example, someone like me in the south of the city can travel to school or work in 15 minutes by Merseyrail or 50 minutes by bus.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised if people start to avoid using Merseyrail. While peak commutes shouldn’t be a luxury or guaranteed comfortable experience, it’s disappointing that longer trains with better frequency are no longer available when they once were after spending £500m on new trains replacing 45-year-old ones. Questions need to be asked, not just assumed.

It’s another one of those situations where “we’ve spent a lot of money and gone through a lot of upheaval to make things almost as good as they were before”.

I’d like to think the 777s will settle down to give good service and we’ll all be left wondering what the fuss was about. However there’s a number of fundamental issues which suggest this might not happen, not least that there simply aren’t enough 777s to deliver what the 507/8 fleet used to be able to do. It also seems to be the case that over the years more and more resource has been stripped out of the operation, leaving it to function on a shoestring.

 

[MR-507508]

Has 777047 suffered another fault ?
It returned to service in recent weeks but seems to have disappeared again this week.