Merseyrail Class 777 introduction updates

[Murray J]

6X29 Dollands Moor - Kirkdale
66768
8047370477
8047370394
8027970135
777004
8027970143
8047370238
8047370028
8047370279

66765 has attached at the rear at crewe, or more it will in a few minutes.

 

[Chris217]

Just got it passing Huyton bus station

 

[DJH1971]

Just got it passing Huyton bus station

Good to see.

Don't understand why 777001 and 777002 have not yet arrived here.

 

[shakey1961]

Is anyone going to Oriel Road to see it arrive? I'm hoping to be there. Don't want to go if there's some sort of ban with social distancing etc.

 

[Skie]

Don't understand why 777001 and 777002 have not yet arrived here.

Has been mentioned a few times.

001 went to the test track without the tunnel egress door fitted, as they were awaiting the parts but having it fitted wasnt required for the early testing.
002 was the first to be given the tunnel egress door, and was sent to the test track to replace 001 (not sure if they did multiple running or just straight swapped)
001 headed back to the factory to be given the door.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I saw it through Acton Bridge. Nice looking but boy they'd better double up on peak services in 2021! Either that or a 2-minute frequency

 

[urbophile]

Why do they have those long flat trucks between the locomotive and the new train? Social distancing?

 

[Murray J]

Why do they have those long flat trucks between the locomotive and the new train? Social distancing?

no idea, but not social distancing as they were on the first move back in January, my guess is either to act as barrier wagons (I don't recognise the wagons so I would suggest they probably have new couplings installed) or to protect the train from damage.

 

[TheSel]

Why do they have those long flat trucks between the locomotive and the new train? Social distancing?

Those are for use on peak hour extras!

 

[Domh245]

Barrier wagons and Brake force. The units are dragged completely dead with brakes isolated, so those wagons are needed to give the train enough brake force to stop safely. You can even see how they get the brake pipe to run through the 777 without using it's own pipes - lots of tape and a slightly opened cabside window!

 

[Chris217]

Barrier wagons and Brake force. The units are dragged completely dead with brakes isolated, so those wagons are needed to give the train enough brake force to stop safely. You can even see how they get the brake pipe to run through the 777 without using it's own pipes - lots of tape and a slightly opened cabside window!

Yeh,I noticed all the tapework lol.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Those are for use on peak hour extras!

Air-conditioned travel at its finest plus there are plenty of grab rails

 

[Mikey C]

Air-conditioned travel at its finest plus there are plenty of grab rails

Merseyrail reintroducing smoking carriages

 

[M28361M]

A 777 on test tonight. Spotted on Twitter at Aigburth station around 9.40pm

At the time of this post, it is heading up the Southport line running as 5T01 according to the OpenTrainTimes signalling map. Doesn't appear to be showing on any real time websites.

(EDIT: confirmed on "Mersey Railways" Facebook group that it is 777003 again)

 

[DJH1971]

They are noted on Wikipedia as being dual voltage, but do they have a pantograph fitted?

Not quite made anything out in the pictures.

 

[Energy]

They are noted on Wikipedia as being dual voltage, but do they have a pantograph fitted?

Not quite made anything out in the pictures.

I believe it is currently 750v 3rd rail + option for batteries. However there will have to be an area for a pantograph to be fitted as all new build UK EMUs are required to be able to be easily converted to use a pantograph.

 

[shakey1961]

Thank you to M28361M for the post which I had notified by email. I'd just gone to bed, so it's lucky I checked. Only live half a mile from Birkdale station so I was there in good time.

777 003 I caught it passing through Birkdale Station about 22:20. Very quiet! First one I've seen out in anger!

 

[MR-507508]

777003 has also been tested on the Ormskirk line recently as shown by these videos online, taken at Maghull station.

 

[shakey1961]

According to the route that's been set on Traksy - it's on its way back to Southport. Are they going to be running this up and down all night?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I believe it is currently 750v 3rd rail + option for batteries. However there will have to be an area for a pantograph to be fitted as all new build UK EMUs are required to be able to be easily converted to use a pantograph.

It doesn't appear to have a pantograph well. Maybe an exception because they are very unlikely to be used elsewhere?

 

[Energy]

It doesn't appear to have a pantograph well. Maybe an exception because they are very unlikely to be used elsewhere?

This image from wikipedia shows a pantograph at the end of the left driving vehicle, not sure if the image is totally accurate but from the looks of it the pantograph isn't easy to see when it isn't up, (it will have probably been fitted to a couple vehicles to test)

 

[Bletchleyite]

This image from wikipedia shows a pantograph at the end of the left driving vehicle, not sure if the image is totally accurate but from the looks of it the pantograph isn't easy to see when it isn't up, (it will have probably been fitted to a couple vehicles to test)

Interesting. I wonder if the roof is lower than normal stock, thus removing the need for a well (as 50x are lower than the Mk3 based EMUs)? If so, I'd imagine it couldn't run through the tunnels with one attached without whacking it?

 

[Energy]

Interesting. I wonder if the roof is lower than normal stock, thus removing the need for a well (as 50x are lower than the Mk3 based EMUs)? If so, I'd imagine it couldn't run through the tunnels with one attached without whacking it?

Maybe, Stadler will put more equipment on the roof than others due to their low floor design giving less space underneath, the extra equipment may make it harder to see the pantograph.

 

[Liverpool 507]

This image from wikipedia shows a pantograph at the end of the left driving vehicle, not sure if the image is totally accurate but from the looks of it the pantograph isn't easy to see when it isn't up, (it will have probably been fitted to a couple vehicles to test)

Those ’Pantograph’ areas on the roof of the unit are currently covered with panelling which I’m sure can easily be removed if there are any future developments on the Merseyrail network.

 

[Energy]

Those ’Pantograph’ areas on the roof of the unit are currently covered with panelling which I’m sure can easily be removed if there are any future developments on the Merseyrail network.

Makes sense, makes it easier to clean the units I guess.

 

[Skie]

Plenty of room for gubbins on the roof

 

[Vespa]

Tri mode would expand the flexibility of this class.
3rd rail, battery and pantograph.

 

[Steelwheels]

Tri mode would expand the flexibility of this class.
3rd rail, battery and pantograph.

I agree with you entirely but this project hasn't got a bottomless pit for its budget sadly....

 

[Energy]

Umm it can do all of these? Batteries being able to be fitted was a requirement.

 

[Skie]

It can’t do all 3 at the same time. All units have some batteries for depot moves, but for mainline running the extra batteries go in the same space that the rectifiers for 25kv would go.

So they can do:

• 3rd rail (as delivered)
• 3rd rail + mainline batteries
• 3rd rail + 25kv overhead