Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[Bletchleyite]

Are there any CoViD considerations in the mix for the delays too? On my daily rail journey past Kirkdale this morning, I noticed the 777s don't have opening windows, something which is being encouraged on the 507/508s in the interests of ventilation (but also being ignored as the cold mornings have drawn in). Or are the frequent door openings on a stopping commuter considered enough circulation?

They have air conditioning.

 

[Skie]

They have air conditioning.

Which in of itself only recycles the air having passed it over a radiator.

But modern HVAC systems allow the amount of fresh air vs recycled air to be varied. Might be a physical baffle or something controlled by the system itself either by air quality sensors or an engineer changing a setting.

Either way, it’s a more reliable way of drawing in fresh air and expelling “old” air than relying on open windows which usually don’t stay open when the weather gets cold or the trains enter tunnels. So no, that aspect of COVID won’t be delaying them entering service.

 

[chiltern trev]

So do the 777 air con units have HEPA or ULVA filters which can trap the very small particles whicg includes trapping the small COVID particles.

Or even include a UV light source within the air con unit to kill off 'bugs'.

 

[ADHDTog]

How often are the 777s doing mileage gathering trips these days? I can see some on RTT, and I'd love to grab some shots in the dark, but I'd prefer not to travel only to find them cancelled.

 

[Skie]

How often are the 777s doing mileage gathering trips these days? I can see some on RTT, and I'd love to grab some shots in the dark, but I'd prefer not to travel only to find them cancelled.

They’ve moved the times earlier so they’re not running in the dark now that the nights have drawn in. They run fairly frequently but it’s entirely dependent on crew availability and can be cancelled at any time.

 

[MR-507508]

Any particular reason why 777007 stored at Crewe seems to have had its front panel removed (surrounding the coupler)?
I noticed an image a few months back showing this unit in the same state and again in this recent image this week

https://twitter.com/Andym13/status/1456366127429324810/photo/1

 

[TheSel]

My first sighting (other than at Kirkdale CS) of an ODD numbered one of these, today.



777001 pictured above at Birkdale working 5U02, 1122 Southport - Sandhills.

 

[507020]

My first sighting (other than at Kirkdale CS) of an ODD numbered one of these, today.

View attachment 105362

777001 pictured above at Birkdale working 5U02, 1122 Southport - Sandhills.

When was this? I knew 777001 was going to be the next one out but I haven’t seen it yet. It won’t be my first sighting of an odd numbered unit because 777003 was the first to be tested at night in May 2020.

 

[TheSel]

When was this? I knew 777001 was going to be the next one out but I haven’t seen it yet. It won’t be my first sighting of an odd numbered unit because 777003 was the first to be tested at night in May 2020.

As in my original post, this was today (9 November 2021), at 11:26. I just happened to be there, awaiting the 11:31 service train.

 

[MattRat]

My first sighting (other than at Kirkdale CS) of an ODD numbered one of these, today.

View attachment 105362

777001 pictured above at Birkdale working 5U02, 1122 Southport - Sandhills.

Aren't they meant to be level boarding? The door looks too high off the platform. Looks like work still needs doing to some platforms. Obviously Southport line was always going to be a later addition, but it might be even longer looking at things like this.

 

[507020]

Aren't they meant to be level boarding? The door looks too high off the platform. Looks like work still needs doing to some platforms. Obviously Southport line was always going to be a later addition, but it might be even longer looking at things like this.

Birkdale was one of the first to be adjusted for level boarding. Are you looking at the bottom of the doors or the toblerones which stop people falling between the train and the platform?

 

[MattRat]

Are you looking at the bottom of the doors or the toblerones which stop people falling between the train and the platform?

Both are high up off the platform, and from footage I've seen, the extension only extends out horizontally, not vertically, so even when extended you'd have to step up from a low platform.

 

[Skie]

Both are high up off the platform, and from footage I've seen, the extension only extends out horizontally, not vertically, so even when extended you'd have to step up from a low platform.

Zoom in on the first passenger door. The bottom is a good few inches below the toblerone and level with the platform.

 

[507020]

Both are high up off the platform, and from footage I've seen, the extension only extends out horizontally, not vertically, so even when extended you'd have to step up from a low platform.

The step extends out horizontally and is level with the platform and train floor, so wheelchairs, bikes, prams, suitcases and other things with wheels can just be pushed straight onto the train. There is no vertical step up or down at any of the stations which have been altered, or even a noticeable one at Southport which hasn’t.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Does anyone have any details of the difference in height between the train floor and rail on a 777 v 507/8?

I ask as the step up to the carriage from Cressington city bound platform used to be enormous and it still is a decent stretch!

 

[Sam 76]

Does anyone have a rough idea of how long it will be until the Southport line gets the new trains in service ?

 

[Skie]

Does anyone have a rough idea of how long it will be until the Southport line gets the new trains in service ?

Nope, but Southport is very likely to be the line that sees them last due to the issues with signalling/operational platform lengths.

 

[ExRes]

I'm not sure if it's for a 777 move but 20118 & 20901 are due to arrive at Kirkdale CS around midnight tonight with the RailAdventure barrier set, a schedule is currently showing for 0518 5Z25 to Crewe CS tomorrow morning

 

[507 001]

Deleted. Forum decided it didn’t want to show me all of the posts…

 

[TheSel]

777001 out again today. Below, photographed at Formby, just over an hour ago.

 

[Gareth]

Does anyone have a rough idea of how long it will be until the Southport line gets the new trains in service ?

Some time this century, if things go well.

 

[507020]

Does anyone have any details of the difference in height between the train floor and rail on a 777 v 507/8?

I ask as the step up to the carriage from Cressington city bound platform used to be enormous and it still is a decent stretch!

The floor height of a 777 (at the doorways - it is higher over the bogies) is 960mm, the Network Rail standard platform height. I don’t know what it is on a 507/508 but it is obviously a bit higher.

The platforms at most above ground stations (including those with no step free access but notably not Southport) were modified to be as close to this height as possible during several weekend closures in 2018, so there are none with particularly bad steps up now.

Does anyone have a rough idea of how long it will be until the Southport line gets the new trains in service ?

Very

777001 out again today. Below, photographed at Formby, just over an hour ago.

View attachment 105427

I have to say your 2 photos of 777001 are excellent. You’ve really outdone yourself.

 

[karlbbb]

Seen 777001 one out a few times now, can't wait to get on them! I keep going past it in the Sandhills reverse siding, which means I've been going slow enough to get a good look inside; they look great.

 

[ExRes]

Two 777s transferred from Kirkdale CS to Crewe CS this morning on 0518 5Q25, reported as 008 & 012

 

[8A Rail]

Update as of this month - posted in good faith.

Kirkdale = 001, 003, 004, 006, 008, 010, 012, and 014.
Crewe C.S. = 002, 005, 007, 009, 016 and 018.

None at WOJn MSC Sidings.

Not arrived so far (excluding 019 onwards) = 011, 013, 015 & 017?

Further update, 777008 and 777012 now moved to Crewe C.S.

 

[urbophile]

Does anyone have any details of the difference in height between the train floor and rail on a 777 v 507/8?

I ask as the step up to the carriage from Cressington city bound platform used to be enormous and it still is a decent stretch!

the main part of the platforms at Cressington has been raised but the narrow sections under and beyond the bridge haven't. Anyone know why, or what people arriving there and expecting a level exit from the train can expect? (having said that, it's just occurred to me that those sections are probably too narrow for people in wheelchairs or with buggies, so maybe announcements will direct such passengers to the other end of the train. Not that wheelchair users will be able to use the station anyway until lifts are installed, which look to be well down the priority list)

 

[Skie]

the main part of the platforms at Cressington has been raised but the narrow sections under and beyond the bridge haven't. Anyone know why, or what people arriving there and expecting a level exit from the train can expect? (having said that, it's just occurred to me that those sections are probably too narrow for people in wheelchairs or with buggies, so maybe announcements will direct such passengers to the other end of the train. Not that wheelchair users will be able to use the station anyway until lifts are installed, which look to be well down the priority list)

Most likely the doors won’t open on those sections.

 

[Grumpy Git]

I should have clarified as;

" it still is a decent stretch, (up to the train when boarding city bound) even after the platform raising works of a couple of years ago".

 

[jamesst]

the main part of the platforms at Cressington has been raised but the narrow sections under and beyond the bridge haven't. Anyone know why, or what people arriving there and expecting a level exit from the train can expect? (having said that, it's just occurred to me that those sections are probably too narrow for people in wheelchairs or with buggies, so maybe announcements will direct such passengers to the other end of the train. Not that wheelchair users will be able to use the station anyway until lifts are installed, which look to be well down the priority list)

Only the wider platform sections of Cressington will be used with the 777s

 

[507020]

Further update, 777008 and 777012 now moved to Crewe C.S.

These units have both completed fault free mileage accumulation runs in daytime over the last few weeks. Have they now been accepted by Merseytravel and paid for?

the main part of the platforms at Cressington has been raised but the narrow sections under and beyond the bridge haven't. Anyone know why, or what people arriving there and expecting a level exit from the train can expect? (having said that, it's just occurred to me that those sections are probably too narrow for people in wheelchairs or with buggies, so maybe announcements will direct such passengers to the other end of the train. Not that wheelchair users will be able to use the station anyway until lifts are installed, which look to be well down the priority list)

I was going to say that due to the width of the platforms, it was probably too dangerous for contractors to raise them with trains still running, but then I remembered the alterations were made during weekend possessions in 2018 so there were no trains running.

Of course having step free access from platform to train is completely pointless when there is no step free access from street to platform! I once saw a wheelchair user on a train complaining to the guard that she lives across the road from Cressington station but has to go all the way to Liverpool South Parkway and get a taxi back because there is no step free access!

Most likely the doors won’t open on those sections.

The section between the bridges was barely long enough for a 5 car 502 when the line was first reopened in 1978. Will the 777s definitely use SDO there when running in 8 car formations?