British Rail Class 777

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British Rail Class 777 Metro
Merseyrail Class 777 unit 777010 standing at the platform at Hooton in July 2021
Merseyrail Class 777 unit 777010 at Hooton in July 2021
In serviceExpected in 2022
ManufacturerStadler Rail
Built at
  • Altenrhein, Switzerland
  • Siedlce, Poland[1]
Family nameMetro
Replaced
Constructed2018–2021
Number built53[3]
Formation
  • 4 cars per unit:
  • DTSO-MSO-MSO-DTSO[4]
Fleet numbers777001–777053[4][5]
Capacity182 seats[2]
Operator(s)Merseyrail
Depot(s)
Line(s) served
  • Northern Line
  • Wirral Line
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length64.98 m (213 ft 2 in)
Width2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)
Height3.82 m (12 ft 6 in)[6]
Floor height960 mm (3 ft 2 in)
Doors
  • Dual-leaf sliding plug
  • (1 per side per DTSO,
  • 2 per side per MSO)
Wheel diameter760 mm (30 in)
Wheelbase2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) (bogie)
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight99 t (97 long tons)
Traction systemIGBT–VVVF
Power output
  • Max.: 2,100 kW (2,800 hp)[7]
  • Cont.: 1,500 kW (2,000 hp)
Tractive effort162 kN (36,000 lbf) (starting)
Acceleration1.1 m/s2 (2.5 mph/s) [6]
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collection methodContact shoe
UIC classification2'(Bo)'(Bo)'(Bo)'2'[6]
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 777 Metro[8] is a class of electric multiple-unit passenger trains currently under construction by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail, to be used on the Merseyrail network in the Liverpool City Region and the Wirral Peninsula.[9] Ordered in 2016, construction of the units began in 2018.[10] As of August 2021, trains are due to enter service in 2022. The Class 777 will replace Merseyrail's current Class 507 and Class 508 units, which were built between 1978 and 1980.[11]

History[]

Background[]

The replacement of the Class 507 and Class 508 fleet that has been in use on the Merseyrail commuter rail network since the late 1970s, had been proposed by Merseytravel as early as 2011.[12] While the Class 507 and 508 are not the oldest electric multiple-units in use in Great Britain (which is the Class 313), Merseytravel had the oldest average fleet.[11]

In 2014, Liverpool City Region set out a 30 year rail vision, outlining investments that would and could be made to improve rail transport in the region. This included replacement of both the Class 507 and 508 trains with a new high capacity, dual voltage train fleet.[13] In 2015, Merseytravel gained approval to go out to tender to replace the train fleet.[14] In January 2016, Merseytravel announced that a total of five rolling-stock manufacturers had been shortlisted to build the new fleet – Bombardier, Siemens, CAF, Stadler Rail and a Mitsui/Alstom/East Japan Railway Company consortium.[15]

Contract award[]

On 16 December 2016, Merseytravel announced Stadler Rail would manufacture a new fleet of 52 dual-voltage-capable articulated four-car units as part of a £460 million fleet replacement project.[16][17][18] Merseytravel has an option for a further 60 units.[16] Delivery of the Class 777 fleet was scheduled to start in mid-2019, and its entry into service was set for the following year.[17] The new trains would increase capacity by 60%, as well as cutting journey times due to faster acceleration.

The purchase was financed by Liverpool City Region itself, rather than an external agency such as a bank or rolling stock leasing company.[12] The Class 777 trainsets will therefore be owned by the regional public transport operator Merseytravel and leased to the franchise operator Merseyrail; this made Merseytravel the only public-sector mainline rolling-stock owner in the United Kingdom.[12] This is unlike the preceding fleet, owned by the private leasing agent Angel Trains.[12]

Merseytravel elected to have the new fleet's maintenance requirements addressed via a contract with Stadler; this arrangement included the modernisation of two existing traction maintenance depots (TMDs), at Kirkdale and Birkenhead North. For training purposes, a driver cab simulator has been installed in Kirkdale TMD.[12]

As part of Merseytravel's plan to extend the Kirkby line to Headbolt Lane using battery-powered Class 777 units, the Class 777 order was increased from 52 to 53 units so that there would be sufficient stock for battery testing to take place.[3]

Infrastructure modifications[]

To accommodate the new Class 777 trainsets, extensive infrastructure changes were necessitated.[12] These adaptations were performed under a rolling programme between October 2018 and May 2019; changes included adjustments to 97 platforms at 56 stations across the Merseyrail network, along with track realignments and other refinements, primarily for the purpose of improving passenger accessibility. Another cause for the alterations was the increased length of the new trainsets, which was addressed via a mixture of platform lengthening and signal repositioning where required. The programme was structured as to minimise disruption to Merseyrail's scheduled services wherever possible.[12] A new trackside Wi-Fi network, provided by Panasonic, was installed to provide continuous real-time connectivity between all trains and the Sandhills control centre, along with free internet access for passengers. New bulk power supplies were installed, along with eight new substations and miscellaneous cable upgrades, to provide greater quantities of electricity.[12]

Unlike the preceding trains, the Class 777 was designed to be operated without guards; however, the announced proposal to redeploy guards into other customer service roles within Merseyrail was subject to considerable criticism.[19] Accordingly, while the fleet was initially to be launched under driver-only operations, in September 2018 it was announced that there would be a second member of staff on board, ending a two-year dispute between the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Merseyrail.[20]

Testing and delivery[]

Unit 777001 undergoing preliminary testing in St. Margrethen, with a temporarily-fitted windowless front emergency door
Unit 777010 at Hightown, with passenger doors open and sliding gap-fillers deployed
Unit 777010 alongside Class 508 unit 508125 at Hightown

During early October 2018 the bodyshells for the first unit were completed.[10] This unit subsequently underwent pre-delivery dynamic testing in both Switzerland and Germany during late 2019.[21][22] The first trainset, 777003, was delivered to Kirkdale TMD on 16 January 2020.[23][24] On 16 March 2020, the unit commenced test runs on the Kirkby branch of the Northern Line.[25] By October 2020, ten units had been delivered to Kirkdale TMD.[26]

In 2018, it was announced that a train configured as a battery electric multiple unit was to be tested on sections of unelectrified track.[1][27] Following the trial, it was announced in July 2021 that the units tested had been able to travel up to 20 miles without the need for recharging. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority announced that the battery-powered trains will run to the new Headbolt Lane station at Kirkby which is due to open in 2023.[28]

In July 2021, full daytime testing of the units was underway.[29] In August 2021, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) authorised the introduction of these units into passenger operation.[11] As of December 2021, the date for passenger service has not been announced.

Design[]

As part of the Stadler Metro train family, the units are built on the same platform as the BVG Class IK stock used on the Berlin U-Bahn and future units being developed for the Minsk Metro and Glasgow Subway.[8] The trainsets are configured for high-capacity, delivering a 50 per cent increase in per-carriage capacity than the preceding fleets.[12] It has a higher rate of acceleration, yet uses 20 per cent less energy than the old rolling stock, due to increased system efficiency and a reduced weight, being roughly 5.5 tonnes lighter. The introduction of the Class 777 is reportedly set to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in journey time over older stock, attributed to its greater rate of acceleration.[12] There is also an emphasis on shared data; each train will actively monitor the number of passengers on board and relay this to Merseyrail's Sandhills control centre, allowing for more informed and responsive management of the network.[12]

Each Class 777 trainset has two longer driving cars positioned at each end, with one set of twin doors on either side, whilst the two middle trailer carriages have two sets of doors. For accessibility purposes, all doorways have been outfitted with sliding steps that move into position when the train is stopped at a platform, enabling passengers using wheelchairs to board and disembark without relying upon a separately deployed ramp.[6] The carriages will feature an open gangway design, the first class of train on the Merseyrail network to feature this design.[12] The passenger facilities are much improved over legacy stock, each carriage being fitted with modern amenities such as electrical and USB sockets, as well as bike racks. Like the previous Class 507 and 508 fleets, the Class 777s will not be fitted with toilets.[12] As part of the bespoke design, an LED letter 'M' has been sandwiched between the headlight clusters, illuminating yellow on the front of the train, and red on the rear.[30]

Because current ORR policy makes it unlikely that future extensions of Merseyrail's unshielded third-rail traction power supply will be approved,[31] Class 777 units will be delivered with provision for the future installation of 25 kV AC overhead-line traction equipment.[6][1][12] There is also allowance for the new trains to be configured as battery electric multiple units (BEMUs),[28] which would allow them to operate on unelectrified lines without needing infrastructure upgrades. This is in addition to the backup battery set that will be fitted to all Class 777 units from new, as these will only have capacity for short-distance low-speed movements around depots and maintenance facilities.[32]

Fleet details[]

Class Operator No. Built Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos.
Class 777 Merseyrail 53 2018–2021 4 777001–777053
Illustration of a Merseyrail Class 777 unit (based on concept art)

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Battery trial planned for new EMU fleet". railwaygazette.com. 25 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b "ORR authorises Merseyrail and SWR fleets". Rail. No. 938. 25 August 2021. p. 12.
  3. ^ a b Clinnick, Richard (17 June 2021). "Initial tests of battery-powered Stadler IPEMU for Merseyrail complete". International Rail Journal. Simmons-Boardman Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b Prosser, Ian (15 July 2021). "THE RAILWAYS (INTEROPERABILITY) REGULATIONS 2011, AS AMENDED - FIRST AUTHORISATION OF CLASS 777 MERSEY ELECTRIC MULTIPLE UNITS NUMBERED 777001 – 7770052" (PDF). Letter to Pedro Martinez (Stadler Rail Valencia SAU). Office of Rail and Road. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  5. ^ Fletcher, Steve (27 July 2021). "THE RAILWAYS (INTEROPERABILITY) REGULATIONS 2011, AS AMENDED - FIRST AUTHORISATION OF CLASS 777 MERSEY ELECTRIC MULTIPLE UNIT 777053" (PDF). Letter to Pedro Martinez (Stadler Rail Valencia SAU). Office of Rail and Road. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Metro Merseyrail EMU - Merseytravel, Liverpool (UK) (PDF). Bussnang: Stadler Rail Group. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Class 777 Vehicle". MerseyRail. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Products". Stadler Rail. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  9. ^ Barrow, Keith (16 December 2016). "Stadler to supply new Merseyrail trains". International Railway Journal.
  10. ^ a b Clinnick, Richard (1 October 2018). "First Merseyrail Class 777 bodyshells complete". Rail. Peterborough.
  11. ^ a b c "Two new British EMUs receive authorisation for passenger use". International Railway Journal. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Darlington, Paul (29 June 2020). "New MerseyRail 'connected' trains". Rail Engineer.
  13. ^ "Liverpool sets out 30-year rail vision". International Railway Journal. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Merseytravel seeks £400m investment". International Railway Journal. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Merseytravel names five international bidders in new fleet and depot shortlist". Rail Technology Magazine. Manchester. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Stadler signs contract to build and maintain 52 metro trains for Liverpool City Region" (PDF) (Press release). Stadler Rail. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  17. ^ a b "New Merseyrail trains by 2020 after City Region leaders give green light" (Press release). Merseytravel. 16 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  18. ^ "Stadler to supply 52 EMUs for Liverpool". International Railway Journal. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  19. ^ Houghton, Alistair (16 December 2016). "Merseytravel reveals new £460m train plans - with no train guards". Liverpool Echo.
  20. ^ "Liverpool City Region, Merseyrail, RMT end long-running guard dispute". www.railtechnologymagazine.com. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  21. ^ Devereux, Nigel (4 November 2019). "Factory commissioning of Merseyrail Class 777 begins". therailwayhub.co.uk.
  22. ^ Clinnick, Richard (27 August 2019). "Progress on new train fleets continues". Rail. Peterborough.
  23. ^ "The first new train is in the UK and on the way to the city region!" (Press release). Merseytravel. 15 January 2020.
  24. ^ Holden, Alan (28 January 2020). "Metro Mayor Welcomes New Class 777 Train to Merseyrail". railadvent.co.uk.
  25. ^ Tyrrell, Nick (16 March 2020). "New Merseyrail trains testing in Liverpool with key new feature". Liverpool Echo.
  26. ^ "Merseyrail Class 777 Deliveries". Rail Record. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Long Term Rail Strategy – update" (PDF). Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Battery breakthrough will see Merseyrail network extended". Liverpool Business News. 21 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Daytime testing begins for new Merseyrail trains". Liverpool Business News. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  30. ^ Houghton, Alistair (15 August 2018). "First look inside futuristic new Merseyrail trains". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  31. ^ "ORR's Policy on Third Rail DC Electrification Systems" (PDF). Office of Rail Regulation. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Stadler signs contract to build and maintain 52 metro trains for Liverpool City Region". Stadler. Retrieved 14 January 2019.

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