E8 signs on Merseyrail

[Bletchleyite]

Having used it a few times this week I noticed some new signs at Aughton Park that seem to be absent from other Merseyrail stations. They were just before the 8 car stop sign and were large (probably about 70cm square), grey background with E8 in yellow.

I assume this is something to do with the 8 car platform extensions? But why are they seemingly only present at Aughton Park? What exactly do they mean?

 

[WirralLine]

Having used it a few times this week I noticed some new signs at Aughton Park that seem to be absent from other Merseyrail stations. They were just before the 8 car stop sign and were large (probably about 70cm square), grey background with E8 in yellow.

I assume this is something to do with the 8 car platform extensions? But why are they seemingly only present at Aughton Park? What exactly do they mean?

Could be completely wrong but I'm sure i was told these are something to do with power supply restrictions for 8 cars and the drivers can't apply more than x% of power. Due to power supply limitations/low spots in the supply at the location.

Happy to be corrected!

 

[Northerngirl]

I've always wondered about them, to me they don't look very 'official' compared to any other driver originated signage, more like a platform number

 

[jamesst]

E8 means units in 8 car formation must be used in half power limitation between Town Geeen and Ormskirk and also a couple of locations on the Southport line, this being due to the closest sub stations unable to cope with the increased power that 8cars draw.

Chester to Bache has standard E boards due to longstanding signalling/power issues in the area meaning 777 units of any length must be in half power limitation between these locations.

 

[185]

You would make the assumption that modern units would be far more energy efficient than their predecessors, drawing on less current.

 

[NSEWonderer]

You would make the assumption that modern units would be far more energy efficient than their predecessors, drawing on less current.

Execpt when you add air conditioning systems in and other addons. Same thing occurred with the Desiros on the South Western network, they were much more efficient energy wise if just looking at traction but they brought in AC etc that required power upgrades.

Pretty sure they also output more power(KW) than the 507 and 508s.

 

[WirralLine]

The current involved is quite heavy - a mate of mine who is a TM sent me a video of the rear cab of a 777 under the Mersey. The display in the cab shows current amp draw on a certain menu. He recorded the screen as the driver opened up the power for the uphill gradient into Hamilton Square. It was drawing close to 4000amps under full load up the riverbed!

If I'm remembering correctly don't the 777s put some juice back into the system under regenerative braking too?

 

[NSEWonderer]

The current involved is quite heavy - a mate of mine who is a TM sent me a video of the rear cab of a 777 under the Mersey. The display in the cab shows current amp draw on a certain menu. He recorded the screen as the driver opened up the power for the uphill gradient into Hamilton Square. It was drawing close to 4000amps under full load up the riverbed!

If I'm remembering correctly don't the 777s put some juice back into the system under regenerative braking too?

They should do if tge system isn't using resistors to dissipate the returned energy.

 

[cool110]

I've always wondered about them, to me they don't look very 'official' compared to any other driver originated signage, more like a platform number

They've always been like that as shown by [18.18] here, although the description only refers to the old 507/508 procedure.

 

[Railsigns]

They've always been like that as shown by [18.18] here, although the description only refers to the old 507/508 procedure.

See also [18.63] on page 4.