Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[childwallblues]

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is taking place at Sefton Park this year on Friday 23 May – Sunday 25 May.

I guess, 8 Car class 777s will be really needed on the Hunts Cross route in time for this event taking place.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 to take place in Liverpool

Sam Fender announced as first headliner with Myles Smith, Wet Leg, Blossoms and Lola Young also set to perform

www.bbc.co.uk

It is quite a walk from St Michaels or Aigburth stations to Sefton Park. More likely that special buses will be used from the City Centre.

 

[karlbbb]

It's still showing as WC 7th April on RTT as the return date for the usual workings (Ormskirk to Central and Hunts Cross to Southport), however that could change nearer the time.

Thank you - I always forget to check RTT!

 

[507016]

I’m slowly noticing more 777s sounding louder than others recently, does this tie into the motor issues and the many found with missing or loose screws? Or just wear

 

[urbophile]

It is quite a walk from St Michaels or Aigburth stations to Sefton Park. More likely that special buses will be used from the City Centre.

Not really. 10minutes or so from St Michael's.

 

[WirralLine]

777047 suffered TCU failure on West Kirbys this morning at James St, tripping the breakers for the juice rail and causing some knock on delays. Now in North depot inside the shed.

 

[MR-507508]

Thank you - I always forget to check RTT!

This has since been updated to the Ormskirk to Hunts Cross route to at least the May timetable change (WC 19th May).

 

[Lloyds siding]

It is quite a walk from St Michaels or Aigburth stations to Sefton Park. More likely that special buses will be used from the City Centre.

Previous music festivals at Sefton Park had Merseyrail running shuttles between St Michaels and Liverpool Central, in between the Hunts Cross-Southport trains. (Special buses too.)
Merseyrail have an impressive record of mass movement for major events such as the Tall Ships, Grand National, Open Golf, etc.

 

[Statto]

Previous music festivals at Sefton Park had Merseyrail running shuttles between St Michaels and Liverpool Central, in between the Hunts Cross-Southport trains. (Special buses too.)
Merseyrail have an impressive record of mass movement for major events such as the Tall Ships, Grand National, Open Golf, etc.

Bonus is those particularly the Golf & Grand National venues, both Royal Liverpool & Birkdale for the Golf & Aintree are quite close to stations, Aintree is over the road, Sefton Park is quite a distance from the nearest station (it's were the 82 bus is more convenient than Merseyrail), the shuttle buses to/from Sefton Park would be better off running to/from Brunswick & Liverpool South Parkway, with extra trains Liverpool Central - Liverpool South Parkway.

 

[Pacef8]

For anyone who has been to a festival you would walk a-lot further than down lark lane and the station .

 

[HJ10001]

Shame that a 777 won't be attending the Railway 200 event in Derby! Imagine 001 being displayed next to 507 001 - contrast between the old and the new.

 

[childwallblues]

Not really. 10minutes or so from St Michaels

At least 15 minutes up Southwood Road across Aigburth Road and up the full length of Lark Lane and that is just to the perimeter of the park. The festival entrance is likely to be at Croxteth Gate which is further round the park.

 

[urban]

At least 15 minutes up Southwood Road across Aigburth Road and up the full length of Lark Lane and that is just to the perimeter of the park. The festival entrance is likely to be at Croxteth Gate which is further round the park.

A shuttle bus from the city centre could make it to the park in the same time as the walk from St Michaels. Or it can be walked from the city centre in about 40-45 minutes.

The Hunts Cross line unfortunately isn't well placed for the majority of South Liverpool. Unless you live right by the river. a bus is nearly always more convenient.

 

[Lloyds siding]

A shuttle bus from the city centre could make it to the park in the same time as the walk from St Michaels. Or it can be walked from the city centre in about 40-45 minutes.

The Hunts Cross line unfortunately isn't well placed for the majority of South Liverpool. Unless you live right by the river. a bus is nearly always more convenient.

Speaking from experience, because I've worked at a number of festivals at Sefton Park. It is complete gridlock round the park and and nearby roads when there is a festival on. Walking to St Michaels and a quick trip to Central is easy and a useful alternative, especially if it's limited stop.

 

[Sam 76]

Unit availability does seem to have improved markedly recently. Not uncommon now to have 4x8 cars on the Southport peaks.

As well as this there seems to be more units appearing on these services. Suggesting they are getting better at talking to each other

 

[MR-507508]

Unit availability does seem to have improved markedly recently. Not uncommon now to have 4x8 cars on the Southport peaks.

As well as this there seems to be more units appearing on these services. Suggesting they are getting better at talking to each other

Are the 8 Cars working all day, working the whole of the diagram, or just for the peaks?

 

[390112A]

Are the 8 Cars working all day, working the whole of the diagram, or just for the peaks?

Generally the 8 cars only work peak time services.

 

[nigelsporne]

With the demise of PTS how many diagrams do the 777s cover on a weekday?

 

[itsonlyme]

With the demise of PTS how many diagrams do the 777s cover on a

What is PTS?

 

[Chilternblue]

PTS stood for part time spotter, a very useful and sadly missed website that gave diagrams and diagram allocations for a number of train operating companies.

 

[itsonlyme]

PTS stood for part time spotter, a very useful and sadly missed website that gave diagrams and diagram allocations for a number of train operating companies.

Thank you

 

[nigelsporne]

I have noticed that Part Time Spotter does show the revised Ormskirk and Southport services for 16th Jan. but not the others.

 

[Sam 76]

With the demise of PTS how many diagrams do the 777s cover on a weekday?

If all 4x8 cars are running 43 diagrams are required each day.

 

[nigelsporne]

If all 4x8 cars are running 43 diagrams are required each day.

Thank you.

 

[Peter Sarf]

With the demise of PTS how many diagrams do the 777s cover on a weekday?

From my last visit (Monday 07/02/2025).
On the Northern line (at Sandhills) I saw 23 unique 777s before all routes repeated.
On the Wirral Loop (at Lime Street low level) I saw 18 unique 777s before all routes repeated.

There were two workings that were pairs (Sandhills) so maybe the 23 on the Northern line could/should be 25 if all four pairs were happening.

Both Sandhills and Lime Street took 1 hour 40 minutes to repeat and at fifteen minute frequencies that means you could get away with visiting both stations for 1 hour and 25 minutes each.
All routes are fifteen minute frequency except Ellesmere Port which is a thirty minute frequency.

Sandhills is outside so "fresh" but near to Krkdale staion and depot where six more 777s could be seen outside. That leaves six hiding elsewhere - where ?.

So all in all nearly up to full service I guess !.
And no sign of 507s so maybe at Southport ?.

 

[Prime586]

And no sign of 507s so maybe at Southport ?.

All gone. 507001 and 507029 left Birkenhead North for Unimetals Newport on the 23rd of January, with 001 subseqently being roaded to Derby. The only remains of the 507/508s left on Merseyside are cars 64432 and 71369 from 507028 at the MFRS Aintree Training Centre The two driving cars from 508201 and 508209 that were at Seacombe Emergency Services Training Centre and starred in an episode of Inside No.9 have since been disposed of, with 508201 going to the East Kent Railway.

 

[nigelsporne]

Thank you Peter. On my last visit there were 2 or 3 units at Southport and one at Hooton. Sometimes there was a single units at Birkenhead North. I assumed the remainder were hidden in Kirkdale.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Thank you Peter. On my last visit there were 2 or 3 units at Southport and one at Hooton. Sometimes there was a single units at Birkenhead North. I assumed the remainder were hidden in Kirkdale.

I know there are three sidings at New Brighton - the one that evaded me was there apparently. So add that to the "if time" list.

 

[nigelsporne]

What I haven't worked out yet, that is looking at RTT, is how and when the Southport services change to 8 car. This assumes that they don't start as 8. Judging by what you said 2 sets are already 8 car but earlier threads seem to imply 4 sets at peak times. I could not find any movement off Kirkdale or Southport at peak times to allow doubling up. It may not happen every day of course so I may have picked a wrong day!

 

[Peter Sarf]

What I haven't worked out yet, that is looking at RTT, is how and when the Southport services change to 8 car. This assumes that they don't start as 8. Judging by what you said 2 sets are already 8 car but earlier threads seem to imply 4 sets at peak times. I could not find any movement off Kirkdale or Southport at peak times to allow doubling up. It may not happen every day of course so I may have picked a wrong day!

I was at Sandhills 14:09 - 15:47 so possibly too early if the 8cars are only during peak hours. As I saw two 8cars then maybe they got formed up early morning or came out of a depot/siding already formed as 8cars. If RTT alluded to the unit numbers life would be so much easier - but where is the challenge and intrigue in that !.

 

[jamesst]

I was at Sandhills 14:09 - 15:47 so possibly too early if the 8cars are only during peak hours. As I saw two 8cars then maybe they got formed up early morning or came out of a depot/siding already formed as 8cars. If RTT alluded to the unit numbers life would be so much easier - but where is the challenge and intrigue in that !.

The 4 8car diagrams should be out from start of service, in service all day until after the evening peak.