Merseyrail

[508134]

RE: Merseyrail

(26/07/2022 18:08)507022 Wrote:  At its peak The Merseyrail network had 76 units and Hall Rd and Birkenhead North were responsible for maintenance. As you said, it was reduced to 63 when some 508s were sent to South Eastern ( I think) in the 1990s and became 508/2 or 508/3. We are now down to 56 with another (508143) at Derby.

When is 508143 set to return from Derby?
Any updates the outcome of the 'life assessment' tests?

[507022]

RE: Merseyrail

(27/07/2022 16:48)508134 Wrote:  When is 508143 set to return from Derby?
Any updates the outcome of the 'life assessment' tests?

I think it’s due back second half of August.
I’ve also heard only one car has gone, the other two are at Seaforth CT, although I can’t confirm that

[508134]

RE: Merseyrail
The Wirral line suffering badly today with cancellations due to train crew shortages.
The West Kirby line for most of the morning has had only one out of the three trains running, resulting in a 90 min frequency (the first two West Kirby services this morning were cancelled).
Cancellations also on the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines.

What are the causes for train crew shortages these days on Merseyrail?
Prior to the pandemic, cancellations due to crew shortage was extremely rare.
Is Merseyrail suffering from a similar problem to Avanti - rest day and overtime working has dropped now?

[ls1911]

RE: Merseyrail

(14/08/2022 13:10)508134 Wrote:  The Wirral line suffering badly today with cancellations due to train crew shortages.
The West Kirby line for most of the morning has had only one out of the three trains running, resulting in a 90 min frequency (the first two West Kirby services this morning were cancelled).
Cancellations also on the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines.

What are the causes for train crew shortages these days on Merseyrail?
Prior to the pandemic, cancellations due to crew shortage was extremely rare.
Is Merseyrail suffering from a similar problem to Avanti - rest day and overtime working has dropped now?

Exactly the same as nearly every other toc, a distinct lack of staff due to sickness, a fair few leaving, a bit of a backlog in training etc etc.

[507022]

RE: Merseyrail
Also reliant on crews volunteering to work Sundays, and at this time of year, there are quite a few on leave as well

[508134]

RE: Merseyrail

(14/08/2022 18:38)507022 Wrote:  Also reliant on crews volunteering to work Sundays, and at this time of year, there are quite a few on leave as well

Thought that might be the case as well.

Once a deal is struck with the drivers union regarding the 777 operation, do you think a reduced timetable will have to operate on the network while drivers undergo training on the new units, otherwise there may be lots of cancellations (similar to Northern a few years back)?

[507022]

RE: Merseyrail

(14/08/2022 18:43)508134 Wrote:  Thought that might be the case as well.

Once a deal is struck with the drivers union regarding the 777 operation, do you think a reduced timetable will have to operate on the network while drivers undergo training on the new units, otherwise there may be lots of cancellations (similar to Northern a few years back)?

Providing sickness levels as are within the acceptable limits, then there shouldn’t be any problems - the driver training programme has been pre-planned

[ls1911]

RE: Merseyrail

(14/08/2022 18:43)508134 Wrote:  Thought that might be the case as well.

Once a deal is struck with the drivers union regarding the 777 operation, do you think a reduced timetable will have to operate on the network while drivers undergo training on the new units, otherwise there may be lots of cancellations (similar to Northern a few years back)?

Theres a continuous stream of new drivers being trained to cover just that so that shouldn't cause any problems

[N271CKB]

RE: Merseyrail
https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-jou...-lane.aspx

Alterations to Chester services from next week

[508134]

RE: Merseyrail

(15/08/2022 14:23)N271CKB Wrote:  https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-jou...-lane.aspx

Alterations to Chester services from next week

Presumably this alteration is to help increase the turnaround time at Chester and limit the number of semi-fast trains. Could also be to trial out this for use over the autumn/winter, as oppose the usual autumn/winter timetable on the Chester line which requires an extra unit & more staffing.