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When are we going to see these new trains on the Wirral lines?

I did spot one parked at Rock Ferry a wee ago, and a large sign recently appeared at Bebington saying they are coming soon, but they have been allegedly appearing 'soon' for literally years now, and so far nothing has appeared

Has Merseyrail any dated plan for their deployment, or are they sitting rusting in a siding whilst Merseyrail fart hopelessly about?

They have been using them this week on the New Brighton line Ex, a lot quieter, not travelled on one yet.

Thanks Casper. They do exist then! I was beginning to doubt.

What is the delay due to? I thought all the station work has been done for them now.

I for one will appreciate not having a step. I have only one functioning eye now and depth perception like the height of a step requires special care in my case.

Since delivery, the new trains (Class 777's) have been plagued by problems. Despite hours/miles of empty test running, they are going pop in service frequently. Most problems seem to be associated with the software that seems to be needed these days to make anything work (?) The latest problem to rear its head is the sliding step jamming whilst under the carraige. The cause is unbelievable . People standing by the doors ! How dare they ? Floor deforms slightly under the weight and step won't move. If step doesn't move, doors don't open. You couldn't make this stuff up.

Just to add to the mix, the "old" units (Class 507's and 508's) are being dragged off to a scrappies in Newport to rendezvous with the Gas Axe. Some spares are being removed to keep the remaining units rolling.

I caught a New Brighton train from Moorfields to BIrkenhead Hamilton Square yesterday, hoping it would be one of the new trains. Alas, what rolled in was the usual 508!

Whether ALL new Brighton trains have been replaced with new ones that have failed or whether only some of them were upgraded I don't know. I was a bit disappointed but I suppose being on a broken down new one would have not been much fun I suppose.

I am fascinated by the advantages listed by Merseyrail for them though. One of them is 'More standing room'. When the cheering had died down a bit I realised this is a way of saying 'Less seating' and promptly gave a loud boo!

Perhaps sending the New ones to Newport with a change of numbers and keeping the old ones might be a good plan?

Yes, ten less seats per train (182 vs 192), standing capacity is 302.

They reckon 10% shorter travel time because of increased acceleration, I never thought the 507/508's were short of acceleration, over the years it felt like they had limited the acceleration, they used to feel like a 747 taking off.

Keep on meaning to get my travel pass but I never get round to it.

They have been in use for months now over in Liverpool. Don’t know why there is a delay getting them over here.

That's just Merseyrail for you. The have a genius for making life difficult.

Take the 'Merseyrail squat' for instance. This can be observed on all underground Merseyrail stations. Commuters can be observed squatting down as if defecating all along the platform.

The object of this is to be able to see the indicators which Merseyrail has taken pains to place behind sodding great "Way Out" signs rendering them invisible unless you are ten feet tall or two feet tall for the majority of the platform's length. It is the visual equivalent of making announcements as the train comes in so you can't hear a word of it. Clever. You can't fault the cre that went into it.

I also recall when the indicators on the loop line were first switched on, we were promised exciting new destinations like Hamburg and Vienna. I took the Dusseldorf train but got off at Bebington.

I think they're way behind in training staff. When the new trains were out on the Kirkby line it was managers operating them, that's why there was initially only one!

The trains have been sat for years in Crewe sidings.

I just wish they'd be more honest. The claim about having to extend the platforms for example - that was done in 2018/19.

The main factor is that the unions wouldn't agree a deal until January 2023

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/0...tion-to-the-operation-of-new-trains.html

It wasn't the unions trying to get rid of the train guards, it was the management. We have been waiting for management to face up to facts, not the unions.

The idea of having 300 members of the public in four compartments supervised by one person in a dangerous environment is ludicrous. If that was an employer with 300 workers and one supervisor underground that would be rated as grossly understaffed and an obvious breach of health and safety. Even above ground it is highly questionable, there is no backup with only one person in charge, drivers have collapsed in the past.

Maybe those of us on the Chester/Ellesmere port line should be grateful they are getting the faults sorted on other lines so we don't have to suffer them.

Rolled out with "undue haste"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-68006861

For the techies amongst us - is this why they're so unreliable, they're running Windows 3.1?

Windows 3.11 trundles on as job site pleads for 'driver updates' on German trains
https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/30/windows_311_trundles_on/?td=rt-3a