WirralLine
Member
I made the mistake of attempting to travel from Bromborough to Liverpool today with the kids. A number of events on in Liverpool over the weekend including the festival in Sefton Park and Liverpool FC celebrations so was expecting it to be busy - but this isn't new to me, I've been using the network for 20 odd years throughout various event days.
Got to the station, bought my tickets and having just missed a train waited 15 minutes for the next one. The platform was empty and by the time the next train arrived there were about 25 people waiting. It rolled up on time, busy but still some space for a few people to squeeze in. Driver comes over the external PA speakers that 777s are fitted with saying the train was full do not attempt to board. The guard was walking down the platform telling people not to board too.
With most trains you can run them crush loaded - when its physically full its full. (I know some classes such as 390s have certain restrictions if "overweight").
Apparently the 777s dont like being physically full as it triggers faults with the sliding steps so they refused to let anymore board. On the old stock all those waiting would have easily managed to squeeze in. Unfortunately 8 car 777s arnt authorised on the Wirral yet. This was a service originating from Chester, so not so long ago would have been strengthened to 6 car on an event day. Even if 8 car running was signed off, it wouldn't help as there are less 777s than 50X they replaced, so not enough units to strengthen services anyway. I presume this is why Ormskirk/Hunts Cross services have been reduced in frequency over the weekend to free up units for 8 car running on the Southport line.
More bizzare decisions include trains not stopping at Capenhurst, Bromborough Rake or Green Lane today and tomorrow. Bromborough Rake is a really daft decision as its the only accessible station in the area (stations either side are not - Spital is only accessible by the original footbridge, and Bromborough has ramps but they are stepped also). In the city centre to "manage crowds" James Street and Lime Street (low level) are both closed too. So anybody not going over to Liverpool for events have to make their way from either Moorfields or Central.
Tomorrow (Monday 26th) only Moorfields will be open in the city for Northern Line, and only Liverpool Central for Wirral.
Ive been using Merseyrail for the last 20 years, including throughout the busy 2008 events, various football celebrations etc, and this is the first time I've been refused travel due to overcrowding (on a not full train). The future is here!
Got to the station, bought my tickets and having just missed a train waited 15 minutes for the next one. The platform was empty and by the time the next train arrived there were about 25 people waiting. It rolled up on time, busy but still some space for a few people to squeeze in. Driver comes over the external PA speakers that 777s are fitted with saying the train was full do not attempt to board. The guard was walking down the platform telling people not to board too.
With most trains you can run them crush loaded - when its physically full its full. (I know some classes such as 390s have certain restrictions if "overweight").
Apparently the 777s dont like being physically full as it triggers faults with the sliding steps so they refused to let anymore board. On the old stock all those waiting would have easily managed to squeeze in. Unfortunately 8 car 777s arnt authorised on the Wirral yet. This was a service originating from Chester, so not so long ago would have been strengthened to 6 car on an event day. Even if 8 car running was signed off, it wouldn't help as there are less 777s than 50X they replaced, so not enough units to strengthen services anyway. I presume this is why Ormskirk/Hunts Cross services have been reduced in frequency over the weekend to free up units for 8 car running on the Southport line.
More bizzare decisions include trains not stopping at Capenhurst, Bromborough Rake or Green Lane today and tomorrow. Bromborough Rake is a really daft decision as its the only accessible station in the area (stations either side are not - Spital is only accessible by the original footbridge, and Bromborough has ramps but they are stepped also). In the city centre to "manage crowds" James Street and Lime Street (low level) are both closed too. So anybody not going over to Liverpool for events have to make their way from either Moorfields or Central.
Tomorrow (Monday 26th) only Moorfields will be open in the city for Northern Line, and only Liverpool Central for Wirral.
Ive been using Merseyrail for the last 20 years, including throughout the busy 2008 events, various football celebrations etc, and this is the first time I've been refused travel due to overcrowding (on a not full train). The future is here!
