Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[DBS92042]

Apparently 777 007 has been seen on the continent on the way here.

Is it known whether 777007 has made it here ready for tomorrows journey to Kirkdale?

 

[Ladder23]

Realtime Trains - 6X29 0244 Dollands Moor Sdgs to Kirkdale C.S.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[childwallblues]

Realtime Trains - 6X29 0244 Dollands Moor Sdgs to Kirkdale C.S.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The loco should have been 66715.

 

[Ladder23]

The loco should have been 66715.

Yes and unit 777007!

 

[DBS92042]

Only 4 barrier wagons today compared to last weeks 7.
I have them as:
87 80 2797 022-6
87 80 2797 021-8
33 80 4737 025-3
33 80 4737 043-6

I'm open for correction on those as its what I read as it passed me, so I could be wrong.

 

[SeaKing]

Nuneaton in 10 mins

 

[jamesst]

Has driver training started yet of the new trains?

No and unlikely to anytime soon.

 

[DJH1971]

It appears to have gone past Stafford

 

[Jamesrob637]

Not due through Acton Bridge until 21:40.
Sunset today is 21:12, though clear skies and a warm evening are forecast.
Last Wednesday the move couldn't run more than a minute early due to being timed to wait for a Pendo at Winsford where 4 tracks merge into 2. Mind you, this was earlier in the evening.
Hmm, I'll see around 9pm if it's not left Crewe early and how much other freight I may see from the comfort of my vehicle in the car park!

 

[Chris217]

Yeh,noticed its 2hrs later through Huyton tonight.
So I won't see it to film it this time round unfortunately.
Wonder why it has to spend so much time parked up at Crewe and why it doesnt get routed via Runcorn?

 

[shakey1961]

I think this might be your answer to why it's could be very late...

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/248703.aspx

A fire next to the track at Earlestown is causing major disruption through this station. All lines are closed between Newton-le-Willows and Huyton. As a consequence, trains may be cancelled or revised.

Some trains may be diverted onto alternative lines where possible; however, customers can expect delays of up to 60 minutes on these services.

Trains between Earlestown and Chester are now able to run as normal.

We anticipate that major disruption will continue until the end of the day.

 

[M28361M]

My understanding is that they need to wait until Merseyrail closes for the night, because the two reversals needed at Bootle Oriel Road and Sandhills would risk getting in the way of service trains. Last week Merseyrail were still running their emergency timetable with last trains at around 2200; this week they are still running a reduced service but back to finishing at around midnight, so the delivery of 777007 will have to wait until then.

I think this might be your answer to why it's could be very late...

Indeed, the photos of the fire look very serious. If it isn't cleared up by tonight, who knows what will happen to 007? Is it able to go via Runcorn?

 

[shakey1961]

I always wondered why they can't take it in via Runcorn too. Surely there's some jiggery-pokerry with reversing at Liverpool South Parkway and Allerton depot to get it onto the Merseyrail track. However, are the buffer wagons too long to fit through the tunnels and curves of the Liverpool Underground? Mind you, they could stay on the mainline to Edge Hill then work their magic to get back to Olive Mount cutting. Various ways.

 

[Liverpool 507]

My understanding is that they need to wait until Merseyrail closes for the night, because the two reversals needed at Bootle Oriel Road and Sandhills would risk getting in the way of service trains. Last week Merseyrail were still running their emergency timetable with last trains at around 2200; this week they are still running a reduced service but back to finishing at around midnight, so the delivery of 777007 will have to wait until then.



Indeed, the photos of the fire look very serious. If it isn't cleared up by tonight, who knows what will happen to 007? Is it able to go via Runcorn?

From a video on Facebook, the fire appears to have spread to the track under the road bridge before Earlestown. I would expect this to be diverted via Runcorn & Liverpool South Parkway tonight. Major Disruption until the end of the day on the ’booked route’.

 

[Mollman]

Wouldn't common sense dictate that as much of the current third rail network as possible should be converted to overhead to be compatible with the national system?

The issue there is the central Liverpool and Wirral Loop line tunnels. If they don't have enough clearance for OHLE then it makes little sense converting 3rd rail to overhead elsewhere. The most likely use of overhead will be if the CLC route is electrified (as it should be) and some of the Hunts Cross services extended through the Warrington.

 

[Chris217]

Thanks chaps

 

[Murray J]

just been cancelled.

 

[DJH1971]

just been cancelled.

So it will stay at Crewe for the time being I take it?

 

[M28361M]

The light engine movement (0K29) from Tuebrook sidings to attach to the train at Crewe appears to be going ahead. It has gone via Prescot and Ince Moss Junction to reach the WCML.

Presumably only the route via Earlestown is cleared for the 777?

 

[Harryn9000]

The light engine movement (0K29) from Tuebrook sidings to attach to the train at Crewe appears to be going ahead. It has gone via Prescot and Ince Moss Junction to reach the WCML.

Presumably only the route via Earlestown is cleared for the 777?

Ye a lad has posted it has not alternate route due to gauge

 

[M60lad]

Any idea of when it will run, if the line is open could it run tomorrow sometime maybe similar time tomorrow night?

 

[Murray J]

It's just been reactivated, apparently the fire has been put out at earlestown.

 

[DJH1971]

So leaving Crewe at the designated time then?

Just that I can be sure if I see it going past St Helens Junction.

 

[M28361M]

It departed Crewe Refuge Siding at 2143 and was just seen on Railcam passing through the station.

Rumour is that it might go via Runcorn after all. EDIT: OpenTrainTimes shows it leaving the main WCML and onto the Runcorn/Liverpool branch.

 

[Harryn9000]

currently in edge hill area atm in one of the sidings

 

[Liverpool 507]

It's just been reactivated, apparently the fire has been put out at earlestown.
View attachment 78224

Still wouldn’t have gone through Earlestown, line closed until further notice and fire damage is likely.

 

[Statto]

Still wouldn’t have gone through Earlestown, line closed until further notice and fire damage is likely.

Looked like a big fire too, seen the smoke over Liverpool around 12 noon some 15 miles away & i live about 8 miles further on.

 

[Murray J]

Fixating on USB ports and WiFi, which frankly would be a relatively minor part of the refurb, is in my view losing sight of the main issue here.

Getting a reliable unit.

The USB ports and WiFi are minimal parts of the project which have little or no impact on delivering a reliable unit.

Still wouldn’t have gone through Earlestown, line closed until further notice and fire damage is likely.

Yeah, it went via Runcorn and Liverpool south parkway instead.

 

[DJH1971]

Yeah, it went via Runcorn and Liverpool south parkway instead.

Must have been granted special permission.

 

[Harryn9000]

Yeah, it went via Runcorn and Liverpool south parkway instead.

It didn’t go via south parkway it went via edge hill