Merseyrail 777 introduction

[Pacef8]

One for Rotherham or meet the managers at one of the manager meetings.

 

[JR100Series]

The switch to linking the Hunts Cross line with Southport on Mondays to Saturdays took place in September 1985, part of a major timetable change across the network. Sunday services had already been Southport to Hunts Cross for some years prior, however.

Th - it's Michael! Just joined this site as I thought I might find you on here Do you still use your old number or your outlook mail? Anyway - direct message me and we can be back in touch - been too long!
Hope the new 777s aren't too much of a disaster -

All best, Michael

 

[Djgr]

One for Rotherham or meet the managers at one of the manager meetings.

The Mayor does not have the name of a town on Yorkshire.

 

[BigB]

I passed Kirkdale on Monday, and 777004 was being shunted by 020 into the shed, I assume for more parts to be removed, rather than being put back on. From the comments above, if the latter was to have happened then bunting would have been all over the depot!

 

[FrontSideBus]

Quite frankly, a brand new unit out of service for so long and being used as a supply of spare parts is a downright disgrace!

 

[Liverpool 507]

They seem to have been struggling to operate 8 car 777s lately. On average two or three diagrams available.

 

[MR-507508]

They seem to have been struggling to operate 8 car 777s lately. On average two or three diagrams available.

Quite a few of the units which were out of action for some time such as 777007 and 777041 have returned to service in recent weeks.
The only two units I have noticed which continue to remain out of use are 777004 and 777047.

 

[Pacef8]

Their must be a well planned procedure now for reporting faulty trains in the morning (every morning). Notices appear really quick Online.

 

[Alan508]

Quite a few of the units which were out of action for some time such as 777007 and 777041 have returned to service in recent weeks.
The only two units I have noticed which continue to remain out of use are 777004 and 777047.

777004 is in the process of being rebuilt ready to return to service. It was switched in yesterday in the maintenance shed.

 

[baldyman26]

Their must be a well planned procedure now for reporting faulty trains in the morning (every morning). Notices appear really quick Online.

They had plenty of practice

 

[Pacef8]

Is this the one that was dragged north with the brakes on ?

 

[Sam 76]

Is this the one that was dragged north with the brakes on ?

That was 035 entered service for the first time in summer 25 after the damage was repaired

 

[MR-507508]

777004 is in the process of being rebuilt ready to return to service. It was switched in yesterday in the maintenance shed.

Good to hear regarding 004. Any update on 047?

 

[stuart100100]

I've been using the Headbolt Lane line this week and the automated announcements have changed again compared to a week or two ago. A new voice doing the announcements about smoking/vaping and speaking to the TM if you need assistance

 

[Alan508]

Good to hear regarding 004. Any update on 047?

No, can't see 047 being back anytime soon to be honest.

 

[Northerngirl]

I've been using the Headbolt Lane line this week and the automated announcements have changed again compared to a week or two ago. A new voice doing the announcements about smoking/vaping and speaking to the TM if you need assistance

It seems in general to just be a bit smother operating (although i have been on 2 fail recently), and a few more words added to make things more clear when terminating.

 

[WirralLine]

I've been using the Headbolt Lane line this week and the automated announcements have changed again compared to a week or two ago. A new voice doing the announcements about smoking/vaping and speaking to the TM if you need assistance

Is that the newish awful male voice which sounds AI generated? I find those ones to be awful, especially as a lot of the stuff he says was already recorded with Julie.

 

[stuart100100]

Is that the newish awful male voice which sounds AI generated? I find those ones to be awful, especially as a lot of the stuff he says was already recorded with Julie.

Yeah they're the ones. I guess its easier to change the announcements when there's no one needed to record them but can't say I'm a fan

 

[M28361M]

Interestingly the 0851 Hunts Cross to Ormskirk this morning was shown on the station departure boards as 8 coaches. RTT concurs, saying it is formed of 777017+777030, and the stop at Cressington was not cancelled.

Realtime Trains | 2O13 0851 Hunts Cross to Ormskirk | 20/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 2O13 0851 departure from Hunts Cross to Ormskirk on 20/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Does anyone know if this actually ran as an 8-car train and called at Cressington? Or is it just an error on the data feed?

 

[Liverpool 507]

Interestingly the 0851 Hunts Cross to Ormskirk this morning was shown on the station departure boards as 8 coaches. RTT concurs, saying it is formed of 777017+777030, and the stop at Cressington was not cancelled.

Realtime Trains | 2O13 0851 Hunts Cross to Ormskirk | 20/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 2O13 0851 departure from Hunts Cross to Ormskirk on 20/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Does anyone know if this actually ran as an 8-car train and called at Cressington? Or is it just an error on the data feed?

An error, unfortunately.

The current ‘temporary’ timetable has been extended yet again to December 2026. At this point it is becoming farcical with no end in sight implemented by either Merseyrail or Stadler.

 

[Ellis101]

An error, unfortunately.

The current ‘temporary’ timetable has been extended yet again to December 2026. At this point it is becoming farcical with no end in sight implemented by either Merseyrail or Stadler.

Incredible how there has been zero communication from Merseyrail this whole entire time.

 

[prod_pep]

An error, unfortunately.

The current ‘temporary’ timetable has been extended yet again to December 2026. At this point it is becoming farcical with no end in sight implemented by either Merseyrail or Stadler.

What an utter disgrace.

 

[jamesst]

What an utter disgrace.

To be fair they could sort asdo tomorrow, throw a couple of 8cars on Ormskirk to Hunts Cross (which is the plan) then decide to keep the timetable as it is.
Theres no law that says it has to revert back and frankly it works better as it is.

 

[JR100Series]

What an utter disgrace.

Hey! It's Michael - do give me an email when you get a moment. Been a long time!

I rode on 051 yesterday.

 

[baldyman26]

Why is Hunts Cross to Ormskirk an utter disgrace?

For me the only gripe is it goes 30 min of an evening but it's hardly the end of the world.
I've said it before, Merseyrail have been lumbered with trains that just weren't suitable for the network. Regardless of what is right or wrong Merseyrail are a money making entity and have served us very well during the current franchise They would much rather have everything working, enough trains, 8 cars on every line than trains that have never worked, don't fit, and beholding to an authority that does everything it can to push blame elsewhere.
Let's not be too quick to criticise the current set up, the alternative of the local authority running the network fills me with utter dread if the trains are any sort of reference as to how they operate. And again, before anyone says profits should be invested back instead of going to shareholders, Merseytravel bought these trains that don't work, a load of buses that never worked and fluffed up a great opportunity for a tram network.. oh, and we are getting bendy buses instead.. (that aren't buses apparently).

 

[Ellis101]

Why is Hunts Cross to Ormskirk an utter disgrace?

For me the only gripe is it goes 30 min of an evening but it's hardly the end of the world.
I've said it before, Merseyrail have been lumbered with trains that just weren't suitable for the network. Regardless of what is right or wrong Merseyrail are a money making entity and have served us very well during the current franchise They would much rather have everything working, enough trains, 8 cars on every line than trains that have never worked, don't fit, and beholding to an authority that does everything it can to push blame elsewhere.
Let's not be too quick to criticise the current set up, the alternative of the local authority running the network fills me with utter dread if the trains are any sort of reference as to how they operate. And again, before anyone says profits should be invested back instead of going to shareholders, Merseytravel bought these trains that don't work, a load of buses that never worked and fluffed up a great opportunity for a tram network.. oh, and we are getting bendy buses instead.. (that aren't buses apparently).

The Hunts Cross - Ormskirk timetable constantly has trains arriving 3/4 minutes early into stations for a start and it's made central much more confusing for passengers i.e. hunts cross services always switching platforms because the southport one is still in the platform.

Additionally passenger numbers on the hunts cross branch show high demand for Southport and Southport Branch stations despite the Southport service being split at Central.

 

[FrontSideBus]

Merseyrail have been lumbered with trains that just weren't suitable for the network.

Considering these were made for Merseyrail and nobody else just makes it even more comical!

 

[jamesst]

The Hunts Cross - Ormskirk timetable constantly has trains arriving 3/4 minutes early into stations for a start and it's made central much more confusing for passengers i.e. hunts cross services always switching platforms because the southport one is still in the platform.

View attachment 198702View attachment 198703View attachment 198704View attachment 198705

Additionally passenger numbers on the hunts cross branch show high demand for Southport and Southport Branch stations despite the Southport service being split at Central.

Hunts Cross trains are not always switching platforms at Central and if they do theres screens on the platforms and announcements, theres not much to be confused about on a narrow island platform.

 

[Sam 76]

On a related note. 8 car testing is happening today. 011 and 012 have just left Central with the testing banners up, headed for hunts cross

 

[Pacef8]

Have we not waited 5 years for this!