Merseyrail Class 777 review

[Willie Bee]

I think I saw somewhere that the new Tyne & Wear metro trains, hopefully coming into service very soon and almost identical to the new Merseyside trains ... is that true ?

thanks !

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think I saw somewhere that the new Tyne & Wear metro trains, hopefully coming into service very soon and almost identical to the new Merseyside trains ... is that true ?

They are from the same Stadler Metro stable, but are very different in design. The Merseyrail unit looks more FLIRT like, the Newcastle units look more like the German ones (Berlin U-Bahn) and have longitudinal seating.

 

[Techniquest]

I had a go on a 777 yesterday (trip report due later!) in a bid to give them a fair trial again.

I don't think I made too much reference to the experience in the trip report, but those seats are still really uncomfortable. OK it didn't help that I'd been in dire need of a sitdown, but I'll say that I'm glad I was sat down for less than 25 minutes!

The announcements were barely functional if on at all, I wasn't impressed. I had a better look at the cycle space, and I will give them their dues, it looks a good space. I'm not convinced it'll fit 3 mountain bikes in there, even 3 road bikes would struggle I think, but I didn't have a cycle with me to find out.

I didn't think much of the 777, as much as I was glad to get on board after the busy afternoon I'd had. The 777 is very different to the 507 and 508, but I am absolutely in no rush to try a 777 again any time soon. A shame, as they were one of the big new fleets I'd been looking forward to, but at least they're in service unlike a fleet in the south which we're still waiting to sample! That much I'll give the 777 credit for, finally working enough to be seen on the rails regularly.

If only they were better!

 

[Bletchleyite]

If only they were better!

It may of course be that the mid-life refurb gives them a bit of an improvement, just as it did for the 50x which as built were best described as "basic". We've got 20 years until that though!

 

[Techniquest]

It may of course be that the mid-life refurb gives them a bit of an improvement, just as it did for the 50x which as built were best described as "basic". We've got 20 years until that though!

Here's hoping! It's a long time to wait, and I fully expect most of my 777 activity will be short leaps around the city. I won't be rushing to do one to West Kirby or New Brighton, and I don't want to think about doing one from Chester to Liverpool!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Here's hoping! It's a long time to wait, and I fully expect most of my 777 activity will be short leaps around the city. I won't be rushing to do one to West Kirby or New Brighton, and I don't want to think about doing one from Chester to Liverpool!

I did do one from Chester to Liverpool on Friday (then another one to Aughton Park) and did have a sore backside and iffy back by the end! And sore eyes - they're just too bright - but it does seem that may be fixable in software (i.e. the lighting is dimmable), so hopefully they will.

 

[Techniquest]

Oof you have my sympathy. I was sore as it was when I joined the 777, overworked the muscles with insufficient nutrition and the two journeys I did won't have helped. Liverpool Central to Headbolt Lane and Headbolt Lane to Moorfields are not long journeys, but they felt like it!

 

[Willie Bee]

They are from the same Stadler Metro stable, but are very different in design. The Merseyrail unit looks more FLIRT like, the Newcastle units look more like the German ones (Berlin U-Bahn) and have longitudinal seating.

Many thanks.

 

[childwallblues]

Of course we all have our own opinions of the 777. I rode on six different ones between Chester-Moorfields and Liverpool -Headbolt Lane (009 002 049 019 142 148) and don't do seat complaining! Local people like me dare I say it actually like the new trains. They are bright, big windows and low floor boarding.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Of course we all have our own opinions of the 777. I rode on six different ones between Chester-Moorfields and Liverpool -Headbolt Lane (009 002 049 019 142 148) and don't do seat complaining! Local people like me dare I say it actually like the new trains. They are bright, big windows and low floor boarding.
We won't miss you Techniquest if you don't come north of Chester again.

They do have upsides, I think in my case it's just disappointment that despite the hype they're only OK, not amazing. Still definitely think the Class 345 is, level boarding aside, a far better package, and the S8 has all that *and* level boarding. I suppose it helps their cause that the PEP, while a reliable product, is pretty awful for the passenger, with no seat having a good window view and the general atmosphere being a bit dingy. If there's one thing that can be said for the 777s it's that the windows are absolutely huge, which unlocks some interesting Merseyside views that couldn't previously be enjoyed properly, e.g. of the Wirral as the Northern Line approaches the tunnel section.

 

[Techniquest]

Of course we all have our own opinions of the 777. I rode on six different ones between Chester-Moorfields and Liverpool -Headbolt Lane (009 002 049 019 142 148) and don't do seat complaining! Local people like me dare I say it actually like the new trains. They are bright, big windows and low floor boarding.
We won't miss you Techniquest if you don't come north of Chester again.

What an over-reaction!

That is one thing I do like, the level boarding. The windows thing, I'm not too sure I've ever noticed but I will be having a look today. I'm due to have some moves in Merseyside today on an impulsive day out, so I will see what the difference is between the 507/508 and 777.

I'm not expecting much with the 777s, which I think is the best way to do it today. Who knows, maybe this attempt to enjoy the new trains will be the one that's good!

 

[prod_pep]

Local people like me dare I say it actually like the new trains. They are bright, big windows and low floor boarding.
We won't miss you Techniquest if you don't come north of Chester again.

Strewth. What a ridiculous thing to say.

You keep saying local people like them: do they really? I'm still yet to hear one person - one - aboard a 777 actually praise them against several comments on different journeys comparing them unfavourably with the 'old trains'. I'm also a lifelong local and I cannot stand them, but please, tell us again how any dissenting view is just 'anti-Liverpool'.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Strewth. What a ridiculous thing to say.

You keep saying local people like them: do they really? I'm still yet to hear one person - one - aboard a 777 actually praise them against several comments on different journeys comparing them unfavourably with the 'old trains'. I'm also a lifelong local and I cannot stand them, but please, tell us again how any dissenting view is just 'anti-Liverpool'.

The most common comment I've heard is about the seats being bad, to be honest.

 

[Vespa]

Travelled today Liverpool to Chester on a 777, first time on that route I'm quite impressed by how quick it accelerated from Hooton and going fairly fast toward Chester, seemed strange to see it in Chester railway platform when it's usually the old train that's sat there.

 

[Techniquest]

Strewth. What a ridiculous thing to say.

You keep saying local people like them: do they really? I'm still yet to hear one person - one - aboard a 777 actually praise them against several comments on different journeys comparing them unfavourably with the 'old trains'. I'm also a lifelong local and I cannot stand them, but please, tell us again how any dissenting view is just 'anti-Liverpool'.

I was hoping you'd post on this thread today I've now had a few decent length 777 journeys today, and I've discussed them at length in my trip report.

For those unwilling to read the thread, the very short version of my view is that I'm not quite as harsh as I was about the 777s now. They still have issues, but I've now seen what @Bletchleyite I think has been saying and that the windows and seat alignment is much better than the 507 and 508. I hadn't noticed that until today, and wow the difference is shocking.

 

[irish_rail]

Strewth. What a ridiculous thing to say.

You keep saying local people like them: do they really? I'm still yet to hear one person - one - aboard a 777 actually praise them against several comments on different journeys comparing them unfavourably with the 'old trains'. I'm also a lifelong local and I cannot stand them, but please, tell us again how any dissenting view is just 'anti-Liverpool'.

Indeed. The impression I get from "locals" Is the seating is appalling. Far more important to travellers than a good view out of the window of Bootle....

 

[trainophile]

Regarding the seating, I'm thinking ahead to when the dear old 507s and 508s finally disappear, and thinking I should prepare myself for the much commented on poor seating experience. So is it a lack of lumbar support, or is it the ironing board effect, or both? It may be worth bringing an inflatable back supportive cushion if the former, not sure what would help with ironing boards though except maybe a thick coat. I'm likely to be travelling from Southport to Chester via Liverpool on occasions, and am dreading it already.

 

[Techniquest]

I find the entire seat to be way too firm, I mean there's firm like on GWR's IETs and 387s but then there's firm like on 777s. It comes to something when the solid plastic seats on the Metro in Brussels are more comfortable!

 

[trainophile]

On my first one. Don’t like it at all. Seats way too close together for sitting beside a stranger, and luggage storage abysmal, overheads only on one side and less than half the length of that.

Seats very hard, no lumbar support although there are fancy upholstered headrests, which I hope get properly cleaned daily. Okay legroom for me but could be tight for a tall person.

Sorry, not impressed.