Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[8A Rail]

The current unit diagrams (including the remaining six 507 diagrams) have been written in to the June - December 24 timetable. The proposed diagrams from June have been removed. Will be interesting to find out when the remaining nine units do leave the network.

If I read that correctly, what you mean to write that the "proposed 'Class 777 only diagrams' from June have been removed"?

 

[Liverpool 507]

If I read that correctly, what you mean to write that the "proposed 'Class 777 only diagrams' from June have been removed"?

Yes, that’s correct

 

[nigelsporne]

It appears from RTT that the Headbolt Lane service is going up to 4 tph from the June Timetable. Will this require 5 diagrams?

 

[prod_pep]

It appears from RTT that the Headbolt Lane service is going up to 4 tph from the June Timetable. Will this require 5 diagrams?

Four diagrams.

 

[nigelsporne]

Thanks

 

[Liverpool 507]

777051 entered service last Thursday (2nd May) working 2O05 on the Ormskirk line.

 

[ExRes]

A schedule has appeared for 1529 5Q77 Long Marston to Kirkdale CS next Wednesday, nothing to Long Marston or from Kirkdale as yet though so a maybe for now

 

[nigelsporne]

Now that 51 is in service how many of the units currently on Merseyside have yet to enter passenger service? Are these units normally to be found at Kirkdale or can they be at Birkenhead North or elsewhere?

 

[Liverpool 507]

Now that 51 is in service how many of the units currently on Merseyside have yet to enter passenger service? Are these units normally to be found at Kirkdale or can they be at Birkenhead North or elsewhere?

777029 and 777038 are currently completing fault free running. 777037 is yet to carry out fault free running and 777144 is yet to operate in passenger service. All the 777s not yet in public use are kept at Kirkdale Depot or Southport CHS. There are times where a spare 777 is in the sidings at Southport and at Birkenhead North.

On another note, 777 reliability seems to have taken a nose dive over the past few days. 777003 and 777012 failed yesterday in service on the Southport line.

 

[nigelsporne]

Thank you.

 

[8A Rail]

For info. No 777001 was noted on 2S20 and No 777015 on 2S21 earlier, heading to Southport.

 

[mcnw35282]

001 went pop just after leaving Brunswick on the 13:21 Hunts Cross to Southport journey.

The shoes seemed to lift off the conductor rail and the train crawled for about 100 yards before coming to a halt just inside the 1st tunnel in the Liverpool Central direction.

They did a full reset, and managed to get the train moving...but it went pop again just inside the 2nd tunnel.

This time the shoes didn't lift though.

They did another full reset and managed to get the train into Liverpool Central, where they cancelled it and ran it empty to Sandhills sidings

 

[nigelsporne]

Joe Public would say, 'Well if the unit can get to Sandhills under its own steam why cancel it?'
I know it's not as simple as this but what do Merseyrail tend to do for failures following a reset?
If the fault is minor do they send a fitter out?
If the fault is more serious do they send another unit out to rescue it?
Do Merseyrail outpost spare units to cover for a failure at suitable locations with this unit picking up the lost diagram?
In the old days there used to be the odd spare siding knocking about where failed units could be placed and moved at a convenient time. I assume most of these have now disappeared with rationalisation.
The 777 reliability though does appear to be improving which is pleasing to see.

 

[mcnw35282]

The train manager said they couldn't risk it going pop again with passengers on board after it happening twice in quick succession, so they had been advised by stadler to take the unit out of service. I wonder if this is standard procedure now?

 

[Bikeman78]

They need to find a way to reduce station dwell times.

2Y34 this evening is a case in point. Departed five minutes late and hasn't made up any time on a lightly loaded run. I think it would help if all the doors opened at every station like the 507s. That would save several seconds at each stop.

 

[Skie]

2Y34 this evening is a case in point. Departed five minutes late and hasn't made up any time on a lightly loaded run. I think it help if all the doors opened at every station like the 507s. That would save several seconds at each stop.

When more people figure out they can "pre-arm" the doors by hitting the button before the train stops it might help. They could add a sticker near the door, or poster, to let people know.

 

[Bertie the bus]

When more people figure out they can "pre-arm" the doors by hitting the button before the train stops it might help. They could add a sticker near the door, or poster, to let people know.

Maybe you need (yet another) announcement. Possibly following the recently introduced announcement telling passengers to go nowhere near the doors!

 

[stuart100100]

When more people figure out they can "pre-arm" the doors by hitting the button before the train stops it might help. They could add a sticker near the door, or poster, to let people know.

There's a sign next to the buttons saying 'press when illuminated' which doesn't help

 

[Prime586]

Maybe you need (yet another) announcement. Possibly following the recently introduced announcement telling passengers to go nowhere near the doors!

I finally had my first ride on them on Bank Holiday Monday to New Brighton and heard that new annoucement. While waiting at Moorfields I saw a 4-5 777s arrive and leave and on some of them you could notice when the doors opened the floor plates above the step mechanisms had deformed.

The seats are really hard, like sitting on an upholstered plank, and combined with being up against the window and the lower bodyside taper leaivng no space for your foot on that side it was one of the most uncomfortable rides I've had on a train (thankfully there was nobody sat in the seat next to me on both journeys, or we would have been rubbing thighs and elbows as well).

On the way out I was sat in the trailing driving car just before the bogie ramp at the gangway and there was what I presume to be an aircon unit in the roof there which brings the ceiling height down to the top of the gangway. Combined with the raised floor in that location it made it look very 'pokey', like being in a low-roof LU vehicle.

The driver was giving announcements alongside the PIS, and was almost unintelligble - there was a very heavy digital distortion (similar to ring modulation, the 'dalek' effect) that to my ears sounded like the PA channel codec had been allocated too low a bitrate (the PIS announcements were perfectly clear). On my return journey, the PA channel in that train had a different issue, where it sounded like it was going through a digital lowpass filter, so all sibilance from the speech was being cut off.

On my return I got a 507 from Moorfields and despite obviously being run down for withdrawal (it was absolutely filthy inside) it was still far more comfortable and the driver's PA announcements were clearly audible.

 

[Bikeman78]

The driver was giving announcements alongside the PIS, and was almost unintelligble - there was a very heavy digital distortion (similar to ring modulation, the 'dalek' effect) that to my ears sounded like the PA channel codec had been allocated too low a bitrate (the PIS announcements were perfectly clear). On my return journey, the PA channel in that train had a different issue, where it sounded like it was going through a digital lowpass filter, so all sibilance from the speech was being cut off.

I see what you mean about the PA. It sounds like the person talking is under water.

In other news, first day out for 777038.

When more people figure out they can "pre-arm" the doors by hitting the button before the train stops it might help. They could add a sticker near the door, or poster, to let people know.

How long before the train stops can you push the button?

 

[Skie]

How long before the train stops can you push the button?

Not sure on the timing exactly. It's decently long enough that it will never be a problem if you're actually getting up to get off, even for the oddballs who get up the second you enter the Leeds street tunnels before Moorfields.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

How long before the train stops can you push the button?

Not sure on the timing exactly. It's decently long enough that it will never be a problem if you're actually getting up to get off, even for the oddballs who get up the second you enter the Leeds street tunnels before Moorfields.

Is it not just activatable whenever the train doors are locked like on the trams in Manchester?
Using GPS or other location data wouldn't really make sense when a low-tech solution is easily avaliable.

 

[Northerngirl]

I've pressed it right after leaving a station and it worked, so I'm guessing it whenever it's closed

 

[Sam 76]

I've pressed it right after leaving a station and it worked, so I'm guessing it whenever it's closed

From my experience sometimes guards arm the doors straight after departure from the previous stop so it does seem no or a long time limit is in place

 

[ExRes]

A schedule has appeared for 1529 5Q77 Long Marston to Kirkdale CS next Wednesday, nothing to Long Marston or from Kirkdale as yet though so a maybe for now

1031 5Z76 Kings Norton to Long Marston and 1529 5Q77 to Kirkdale both showing for tomorrow, presumably 2 of the 3 units there

 

[nigelsporne]

Did the transfer take place?

 

[SeaKing]

Did the transfer take place?

Yes according to RTT.

 

[nigelsporne]

The four 43s and barrier vehicles passed through Coleshill this morning returning to Kings Norton. Which units were transferred please?

 

[ExRes]

The four 43s and barrier vehicles passed through Coleshill this morning returning to Kings Norton. Which units were transferred please?

043 & 045 according to one of the gen sites

 

[8A Rail]

Early this morning, No 777043 and 045 were delivered to Kirkdale from Long Marston, which leaves the last of the Class, No 053 on its own at the latter location.

Kirkdale C.S. = 001 to 032 inclusive, 034, 036 to 039, 041, 043, 045, 049, 051, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152.
Long Marston = 053.
Europe = 033, 035 and 047