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Tyne and Wear Metro

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Dstock7080

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Metro refurbishments too slow!! I said this ages ago. I don't think all the units are going to be refurbished! How long has this been going on? And only six units refurbished up to now!!! The project is going too slow me thinks!!
If it's any consolation, the refurb of the D Stock in London took a while too!
With the prototype going away in March 1999 and the final 75th train re-entering service in March 2008!
 
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Maninblack

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If it's any consolation, the refurb of the D Stock in London took a while too!
With the prototype going away in March 1999 and the final 75th train re-entering service in March 2008!

Thats quick compaired to what is happening on T W metro. Were these refurbishments done on site?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4041 and 4042 out together this evening. Its a long time since I have seen units with only one number apart paired together.
 

60021

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I saw those two out and about today too. Heworth. very smart they looked too!!
 

Kryten2340

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Not sure whether to post this here or in a separate thread but has anyone else noticed this week the visual and audio announcments regarding boarding trains after the warning tones have sounded?

Long overdue if you ask me. Just the other night some d**khead at South Gosforth tried to put his hand in between the doors to prevent them from closing.

It may not be professional but I think the drivers should name/shame them over the PA system. A bit humilation will make them think twice.
 

Tramfan

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Metro 4041 and 4072 at South Gosforth - Can anyone explain what is happening because they aren't connected or anything

Looks like the red metro in the platform (4069) is being taken out of service, and 4072 and 4041 have run into the siding, back out and have drawn right up to the rear of train in the platform. 4072 and 4041 will then take over the service that 4069 was operating. This is the usual practice when a train is taken out of service in South Gosforth platform 2.
 

Paul_10

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New Metros 4042 and 4062 on a evening test run - sorry about it being unclear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsmithb/7146027803/

Metro 4041 and 4072 at South Gosforth - Can anyone explain what is happening because they aren't connected or anything
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsmithb/7146028225/in/photostream/

4062 is an unrefurbished unit, could be 4061, 4046 or 4082 but hard to tell from your photo but it would be nice too see 46/82 back out on the system!

Regarding your 2nd photo, you sort of described the situation in your photo, it would seem that the train developed a fault somewhere down the line, therefore the train is withdrawn at Gosforth and all the passengers have to leave the train and usually another set is waiting in the sidings then pulls in behind to pick up the passengers and continue their journey with as little delay as possible.

As an enthusiast, what a nice change! As a normal passenger, they might of been fearing the worse when they seen their journey was about to get quite a bit noiser! :lol:
 

142094

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Looks as if there is a permissive working at South Gosforth - rare but can be done in emergency. Hard to say what was happening without being there.

More engineering work this weekend, and checking some documents online there'll be a lot more over the summer. St. James is also going to be closed for a time this month, as the emergency services and Metro are planning a mock situation to go through train and platform evacuation plans.
 

Kryten2340

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Looks as if there is a permissive working at South Gosforth - rare but can be done in emergency. Hard to say what was happening without being there.

More engineering work this weekend, and checking some documents online there'll be a lot more over the summer. St. James is also going to be closed for a time this month, as the emergency services and Metro are planning a mock situation to go through train and platform evacuation plans.

I wonder how trains will use Manors/Monument when St James is closed? I know Manors platform 1 is signalled at either end of the platform but is the Monument end only signalled for the Jesmond curve or can trains run wrong road to Monument platform 3?
 

142094

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I wonder how trains will use Manors/Monument when St James is closed? I know Manors platform 1 is signalled at either end of the platform but is the Monument end only signalled for the Jesmond curve or can trains run wrong road to Monument platform 3?

I've asked on the Nexus forum to see what will happen - either one of the lines into St James will be kept open to allow the reversal, but if the exercise involves the whole station they'll probably do what you say. Interestingly I've only seen this happen once, quite recently, where a service was late and was brought from Manors into platform 3 at Monument to save having to go to St James and turn around, so it can be done. However it will mean that one platform will be out of use at both Monument and Manors.
 

Kryten2340

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I've asked on the Nexus forum to see what will happen - either one of the lines into St James will be kept open to allow the reversal, but if the exercise involves the whole station they'll probably do what you say. Interestingly I've only seen this happen once, quite recently, where a service was late and was brought from Manors into platform 3 at Monument to save having to go to St James and turn around, so it can be done. However it will mean that one platform will be out of use at both Monument and Manors.

I no

I took a look today and noticed there is no signal at the wrong end of platform 4 so maybe they will use Manors platform 1 and terminate into Monument platform 3. I've only ever travelled the wrong way from Manors platform 1 once and that was almost 20 years ago when I did my work experience at the control room and even then we travelled onto the curve and not to Monument.

Saying that there is a double crossover at the Eastern end of Manors isn't there? So any way could be possible.
 

Tramfan

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Thinking about it, I suppose Monument platform 3 is probably the more logical platform to terminate the trains given that more people use it than platform 4, therefore there would be less confusion.
 

142094

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Huw has said that it does look as if only one line will be used into Monument. Indeed there isn't a signal at the eastern end of Monument platform 4, although IIRC there is a Stop sign with 'Contact Control', similar to some other locations where a reversal could be made with permission from South Gosforth. There are signals at each end of the platforms at Manors, so again that wouldn't be a problem.

As far as I'm aware the only time Manors platform 1 has the wrong-direction movement is when the empty stock is going back to the depot. I've never heard of anything else being terminated at Manors plt 1 and going back out towards Byker, as it could be terminated at platform 2 and sent back over the diamond crossovers.

I've done a bit more thinking and now I can remember two occasions where a wrong-line movement has been done into platform 3 at Monument. One morning last year I was waiting for a train to Monument and there'd been disruption due to a train being withdrawn from service. An announcement was done on the PA telling us to go from platform 2 to 1 at Manors, as the next train was coming in the wrong way. Of course when we'd went over to platform 1, it changed and reverted back to platform 2. So, although rare, it does happen. I'm sure there will be a few of the more well-known faces out to get a video of it happening.

Next weekend should also see the return of the wrong-line movement from Manors to Byker, as the line is shut between Byker and North Shields. I've also had word that Gosforth South Junction is being replaced later on in the year over a period of 5 days, which should mean that the depot avoiding line is brought into use.
 

Kryten2340

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I've also had word that Gosforth South Junction is being replaced later on in the year over a period of 5 days, which should mean that the depot avoiding line is brought into use.

Does this mean I'm bussing it if my daily commute is Gateshead to Regent Centre and back?

Plenty of buses from Haymarket I suppose but could be worthwhile taking the week off work.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Huw has said that it does look as if only one line will be used into Monument. Indeed there isn't a signal at the eastern end of Monument platform 4, although IIRC there is a Stop sign with 'Contact Control', similar to some other locations where a reversal could be made with permission from South Gosforth. There are signals at each end of the platforms at Manors, so again that wouldn't be a problem.

It's now on the main Nexus website that platform 1 at Manors will be used and platform 2 will be closed. This of course means the trains will run wrong road into platform 3 at Monument.
 

142094

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Does this mean I'm bussing it if my daily commute is Gateshead to Regent Centre and back?

Plenty of buses from Haymarket I suppose but could be worthwhile taking the week off work.

Trains will probably terminate at South Gosforth, so you'd have to go from there. AFAIK a date for the work hasn't been planned, but I know it is happening sometime at the back end of this year.
 

Kryten2340

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Trains will probably terminate at South Gosforth, so you'd have to go from there. AFAIK a date for the work hasn't been planned, but I know it is happening sometime at the back end of this year.

Aye that will probably be the case as they can just use the siding to reverse.

When this happens will the avoiding line be used purely for ECS movements or will they put coast to airport services on?
 

Maninblack

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Can any of you lovely people update me on how many Metros are down in Doncaster, back from Doncaster, waiting to go to Doncaster, waiting to come back to Gosforth ETC!!!
Me and my mate were talking about this project again a couple of days ago.
Your help will be appreciated. Thanks everyone.
 

142094

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Aye that will probably be the case as they can just use the siding to reverse.

When this happens will the avoiding line be used purely for ECS movements or will they put coast to airport services on?

Last time work was done on the junction, services used the avoiding line in service. The main problems are that it requires special signalling, as control for the line goes from South Gosforth, to the Depot panel, then back to South Gosforth. There is also a low speed limit and someone has to be stationed at the front of the depot to man the barrier.
 

Tramfan

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Can any of you lovely people update me on how many Metros are down in Doncaster, back from Doncaster, waiting to go to Doncaster, waiting to come back to Gosforth ETC!!!
Me and my mate were talking about this project again a couple of days ago.
Your help will be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

As far as I am aware, we have 4041, 4042, 4061 and 4072 back from Doncaster and in passenger service, 4046 and 4082 back from Doncaster being commissioned at Gosforth Depot and 4057 and 4058 down at Doncaster. 4057 went in March, 4058 in February. There have been rumours that 4022 is next to go to Doncaster/may have already gone but I've seen no picture evidence yet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Last time work was done on the junction, services used the avoiding line in service. The main problems are that it requires special signalling, as control for the line goes from South Gosforth, to the Depot panel, then back to South Gosforth. There is also a low speed limit and someone has to be stationed at the front of the depot to man the barrier.

The last couple of times the avoiding line has been used, the frequency was cut to every 15 minutes rather than every 12 minutes as well, and I remember trains would usually meet one going the other way at both Longbenton and Regent Centre.
 
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142094

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The last couple of times the avoiding line has been used, the frequency was cut to every 15 minutes rather than every 12 minutes as well, and I remember trains would usually meet one going the other way at both Longbenton and Regent Centre.

Was this done on a Sunday? I think I was out of the area at that time, so can't remember the exact details, but the frequency would have to be severely reduced due to the nature of the signalling.

If the future work is indeed over 5 days, then it could mean some services stopping at Longbenton and Regent Centre, with only a few running between the two.
 

Tramfan

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Was this done on a Sunday? I think I was out of the area at that time, so can't remember the exact details, but the frequency would have to be severely reduced due to the nature of the signalling.

If the future work is indeed over 5 days, then it could mean some services stopping at Longbenton and Regent Centre, with only a few running between the two.

There was at least one occasion in the last few years where the line was used on a Saturday and Sunday, with a 15 minute service on both occasions. I suspect this is perhaps the most intensive frequency that can be operated over the line, given the speed restrictions and signalling as you say.

I knew I had read somewhere that the Gosforth Junction replacement was planned to take 5 days (think it was in one of the TWITA docs, as it was pencilled in for December last year?)

I had also therefore wondered whether some trains would terminate short, with a limited service round the avoiding line as I can't see a 15 minute frequency being popular!
 

142094

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There was at least one occasion in the last few years where the line was used on a Saturday and Sunday, with a 15 minute service on both occasions. I suspect this is perhaps the most intensive frequency that can be operated over the line, given the speed restrictions and signalling as you say.

I knew I had read somewhere that the Gosforth Junction replacement was planned to take 5 days (think it was in one of the TWITA docs, as it was pencilled in for December last year?)

I had also therefore wondered whether some trains would terminate short, with a limited service round the avoiding line as I can't see a 15 minute frequency being popular!

Think it is in one of the recent ITA documents but no confirmed date as yet.

If it does happen during a weekday, and it sounds like it will have to if it takes 5 days, then either both the Regent Centre - Airport and Longbenton - St James sections are going to have to run at reduced frequencies, or they'll keep the same frequency but only send a certain amount of trains on the avoiding line per hour.
 

Kryten2340

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Think it is in one of the recent ITA documents but no confirmed date as yet.

If it does happen during a weekday, and it sounds like it will have to if it takes 5 days, then either both the Regent Centre - Airport and Longbenton - St James sections are going to have to run at reduced frequencies, or they'll keep the same frequency but only send a certain amount of trains on the avoiding line per hour.

I meant to ask Huw on the Nexus forum to see if they can give any indication when this is planned for but lately he never seems to reply to anything a I put up. I post on there as craigp81 by the way.

When this does happen will this see trains stabled at Pelaw/South Shields sidings overnight or will they just take the long trip of around the coast via tha Manors curve?
 

142094

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I meant to ask Huw on the Nexus forum to see if they can give any indication when this is planned for but lately he never seems to reply to anything a I put up. I post on there as craigp81 by the way.

When this does happen will this see trains stabled at Pelaw/South Shields sidings overnight or will they just take the long trip of around the coast via tha Manors curve?

That'll be interesting to see, as trying to send everything out via the Coast and Manors curve, then reversing north of Jesmond, would take ages each morning. I'd expect that Pelaw would be used, as there is a staff building there and plenty of space in the sidings. The only problem is that they'll be sitting ducks for vandals, both at Pelaw and South Shields, so some sort of security will have to be in place.
 

Tramfan

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That'll be interesting to see, as trying to send everything out via the Coast and Manors curve, then reversing north of Jesmond, would take ages each morning. I'd expect that Pelaw would be used, as there is a staff building there and plenty of space in the sidings. The only problem is that they'll be sitting ducks for vandals, both at Pelaw and South Shields, so some sort of security will have to be in place.

Hopefully if this were to happen, security would be seen as a necessity. I can imagine a lot of peeved passengers at a weekday closure of a core section of the system anyway, so having to run at a reduced frequency due to train vandalism wouldn't help.
 
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