Merseyrail Class 777 mock-up pictures revealed.

[Domh245]

I wonder if the LED strip on the front will be used to indicate route? I don't know if merseyraip currently have coloured routes, but if they don't this could be developed

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The seats don't look a lot different to the current ones.
There doesn't seem to be any PIS, probably not fitted yet.
I hope it will be something like the 700s (or Stadler's Flirts in Bavaria).

 

[jon0844]

What's with the internal glass with zig zags and the purple LED strips? May as well make them neon and it would look like something from Miami Vice (1980s version).

 

[rebmcr]

Not a fan of different coloured lights.
Go full bright white LED or warm white, but don't mix and match!

I hadn't noticed yet, but that is bloody awful!

What's with the internal glass with zig zags and the purple LED strips?

The coloured LED strips are to indicate door closing status.

 

[jon0844]

LED strips are to indicate door closing status.

What does purple signify?

 

[rebmcr]

What does purple signify?

Poor white balance in those photos!

 

[507 001]

The seats don't look a lot different to the current ones.
There doesn't seem to be any PIS, probably not fitted yet.
I hope it will be something like the 700s (or Stadler's Flirts in Bavaria).

They look completely different to the current ones. The current seats are the same as those fitted to the Southern 455s etc, so high backed, not low back with weird headrest thing....

 

[hooverboy]

Yes indeed

is that terrahawks?????

 

[hooverboy]

That's a really smart looking train. Like the use of LED's on front and around doors.
Interior a bit too spartan looking. A bit more yellow tastefully used wouldn't go amiss.

sparing with the yellow.....it'll end up looking like ryanair!

 

[Wivenswold]

Nice train, German/Swiss built stuff always looks sturdy and a bit minimalist. I like it.

 

[tommy_train]

Lol, if it wasn't for the screens you would think that berlin photo was taken in the 80's, even with the screens it looks 90's.

Yes, I know what you mean! They're quite nice trains to be honest, so I guess that is just their style.

 

[notlob.divad]

I wonder if the LED strip on the front will be used to indicate route? I don't know if merseyraip currently have coloured routes, but if they don't this could be developed

They do, to an extent. Currently on the Merseytravel map, Red is City Line, Green is Wirral Line and Blue? Is Northern Line.

 

[J-2739]

Looks like Christmas Tree lights.

 

[Rick1984]

sparing with the yellow.....it'll end up looking like ryanair!

That's why I said tastefully!

 

[507 001]

sparing with the yellow.....it'll end up looking like ryanair!

The use of yellow on the current interiors is quite nice. Brightens it up and looks quite smart.

 

[birchesgreen]

is that terrahawks?????

Yeah Zelda is taking over Merseyrail

 

[Camden]

To keep within the UK loading gauge, there aren't many options for high-density commuter stock. So either there is 2+2 seating of 3+2 sized seats with a decent gangway (ala classes 700/707/717), or longitudonal seats (ala classes 345/710). Some of those have combinations of those seat configurations but the bottom line is that high-density requirements mean narrower seats and fewer of them.

The current trains manage to have a sensible 2+2 arrangement just fine, so there appears to be an option already in existence.

I stand by my point. While it doesn't need the current space between the seats, it does need some. All the discomfort of 3+2 seating in a 2+2 setting.

I have to say I think they've fundamentally fouled up on this seating layout on top of the comfort issue. It's not an end to end journey system, so there is a lot of getting in and out of seats. Add this layout to peak hour and the resultant delays getting people on and off the train every two minutes I think will prove to hit reliability hard. There's a reason why LT uses the various seating styles it does on the overground and underground.

 

[gordonthemoron]

won't the central pole between the facing doors make getting wheelchairs on/off difficult?

 

[AM9]

The current trains manage to have a sensible 2+2 arrangement just fine, so there appears to be an option already in existence.

I stand by my point. While it doesn't need the current space between the seats, it does need some. All the discomfort of 3+2 seating in a 2+2 setting.

I have to say I think they've fundamentally fouled up on this seating layout on top of the comfort issue. It's not an end to end journey system, so there is a lot of getting in and out of seats. Add this layout to peak hour and the resultant delays getting people on and off the train every two minutes I think will prove to hit reliability hard. There's a reason why LT uses the various seating styles it does on the overground and underground.

I stand by what I said and have emphasised the important words: "there aren't many options for high-density commuter stock". Even if all longitudonal seats are fitted, they will be shallow to reduce the intrusion on standing space, and of minimum width to mitigate the reduced number of seats possible in that configuration. Both of these measures are proven on LU, LO and metro systems the world over. The complaints will then come those who commute from Southport, Chester and the other extremities. Remember, not everybody goes three stops either .

 

[507 001]

Regarding seating, I think they’ll find the airline seating to be a mistake, especially with the limited space between seats.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They look completely different to the current ones. The current seats are the same as those fitted to the Southern 455s etc, so high backed, not low back with weird headrest thing....

They’re Stadler seats, a higher backed version of the ones on the Swiss FLIRTs.

 

[Jona26]

I wonder if the LED strip on the front will be used to indicate route? I don't know if merseyraip currently have coloured routes, but if they don't this could be developed

Surely red lights (or any other colour apart from white for that matter) on a leading cab would not be allowed as it would compromise head/side/marker light indications?

 

[James James]

They’re Stadler seats, a higher backed version of the ones on the Swiss FLIRTs.

These seats look nothing like Swiss FLIRT seats, the only similarity is that they have a narrow headrest that covers part of the seatback.
http://www.bahnonline.ch/bo/wp-cont...ug-neues-Innenlayout-1_SBB-CFF-FFS_7-6-16.jpg

 

[Camden]

Regarding seating, I think they’ll find the airline seating to be a mistake, especially with the limited space between seats.

Yes, I agree completely. Even replicating the current set up but with slightly less lateral spacing between the seats would have been better. It's a metro system in all but name, and neither the tube not the overground has its priorities dictated to it by the network extremities. It has to cope to the common denominator, which is mass movement of people on a frequent stop network.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’d have gone for a layout near identical to the LU S8s.

 

[bramling]

Interesting that those Berlin trains have a similar layout to the London S8s, with transverse seats on one side and longitudinal on the other.

The S8s are the only train (AFAIK) in the UK which uses this layout, which is a bit of shame as to me it gives the best of both worlds, some transverse seats (with better width spacing than the 700s etc) plus decent standing room.

There is a slight issue with the S stock in that people in the longitudinal seats have a habit of stretching their legs out, which encroaches into the aisle. Personally I’m not-at-all convinced of the benefits of longitudinal seating - 2+2 seems to me the best compromise, and squashing the seats together can be counter productive if people just spill over into the aisle - especially if you botch up like Siemens did with the 700s and have a massive encroachment into the foot space of the window seats.

 

[transmanche]

won't the central pole between the facing doors make getting wheelchairs on/off difficult?

It will depend on the exact positioning and the width of the doors, but in comparison, the existing T&W Metro stock has a similar centre pole which doesn't seem to encumber wheelchairs or buggies.

 

[notlob.divad]

won't the central pole between the facing doors make getting wheelchairs on/off difficult?

It will depend on the exact positioning and the width of the doors, but in comparison, the existing T&W Metro stock has a similar centre pole which doesn't seem to encumber wheelchairs or buggies.

I would be more worried about the unintended uses some of the more energetic evening revellers could find for a pole in such a prominent position. I have full confidence of the manufacturers to design a vehicle that accommodates the needs of users. I have less confidence they will anticipate the levels of decorum to which British revellers will stoop.

 

[transmanche]

I would be more worried about the unintended uses some of the more energetic evening revellers could find for a pole in such a prominent position. I have full confidence of the manufacturers to design a vehicle that accommodates the needs of users. I have less confidence they will anticipate the levels of decorum to which British revellers will stoop.

I guess you've never travelled on a late-night Friday Metro then...

 

[507 001]

Yes, I agree completely. Even replicating the current set up but with slightly less lateral spacing between the seats would have been better. It's a metro system in all but name, and neither the tube not the overground has its priorities dictated to it by the network extremities. It has to cope to the common denominator, which is mass movement of people on a frequent stop network.

Personally I find the current layout to be perfect for the average Merseyrail user. There is plenty of standing space as the seating is only 2+2. Other users have the comfort of bay seating, with plenty of leg room. The bays are perfect for families etc.