Tyne and Wear Metro

[Kryten2340]

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.

Just posted a few questions on the nexus forum to see if we can can get any additional info. I'm particually interested in the answer to the second question. Although it would be no surprise for them to rely on people checking the website. Having said that they did a good job with the Wallsend to Tynemouth closure last year. In fact I'm surprised they didn't take advantage of the jubilee bank holiday. Questions below:

Huw

I've heard talk that the junction at South Gosforth is due to be replaced later on this year meaning this section of track will be out of use for 5 days and no services running from South Gosforth to Regent Centre/Longbenton. *I have a few questions regarding this.*

First can you advise when this is currently planned for? *I assume this will be before mid November in order to avoid disruption in the run up to Christmas. *In fact it's a shame this wasn't planned for the 2 day bank holiday next month.*
[
Second will Nexus be communicating with the business parks close to the affected area to give plenty of notice. By this I am mainly referring to those around Regent Centre and Four Lane Ends

Third I understand that during the disruption some services will use the depot avoiding line. Can you advise what kind of service this would be? I.e would it be a full service from coast to Airport or would it be a shuttle service between Regent Centre and somewhere like Four Lane Ends?

Finally how will trains get from the depot to the south part of the system (I.e south of the Tyne). Will trains run around the coast through the Manors curve reversing at Jesmond or will trains be stabled at either Pelaw or South Shields sidings. *This of course could leave the trains a target for vandalism, unless security was drafted in.
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According to http://www.twita.gov.uk/sites/default/files/agenda_document/Metro%2001-03-2012_0.pdf

it's planned for 25th October to 5th November meaning 11 days out of action. This is from the most recent meeting in March. Details are on page 14 and a map of the system is given on page 15 showing what is off where. Looking at it the dates are planned but not confirmed. Interestingly it also reveals two 54 hour possessions between Gateshead and Jarrow and one 54 hour possession between Central and Gateshead Stadium. Again these aren't confirmed. Does this mean only one platform will be used at Gateshead and 1 at Monument and Central?

 

[Nexus_Comms]

Just posted a few questions on the nexus forum to see if we can can get any additional info. I'm particually interested in the answer to the second question. Although it would be no surprise for them to rely on people checking the website. Having said that they did a good job with the Wallsend to Tynemouth closure last year. In fact I'm surprised they didn't take advantage of the jubilee bank holiday. Questions below:

Huw

I've heard talk that the junction at South Gosforth is due to be replaced later on this year meaning this section of track will be out of use for 5 days and no services running from South Gosforth to Regent Centre/Longbenton. *I have a few questions regarding this.*

First can you advise when this is currently planned for? *I assume this will be before mid November in order to avoid disruption in the run up to Christmas. *In fact it's a shame this wasn't planned for the 2 day bank holiday next month.*
[
Second will Nexus be communicating with the business parks close to the affected area to give plenty of notice. By this I am mainly referring to those around Regent Centre and Four Lane Ends

Third I understand that during the disruption some services will use the depot avoiding line. Can you advise what kind of service this would be? I.e would it be a full service from coast to Airport or would it be a shuttle service between Regent Centre and somewhere like Four Lane Ends?

Finally how will trains get from the depot to the south part of the system (I.e south of the Tyne). Will trains run around the coast through the Manors curve reversing at Jesmond or will trains be stabled at either Pelaw or South Shields sidings. *This of course could leave the trains a target for vandalism, unless security was drafted in.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
According to http://www.twita.gov.uk/sites/default/files/agenda_document/Metro%2001-03-2012_0.pdf

it's planned for 25th October to 5th November meaning 11 days out of action. This is from the most recent meeting in March. Details are on page 14 and a map of the system is given on page 15 showing what is off where. Looking at it the dates are planned but not confirmed. Interestingly it also reveals two 54 hour possessions between Gateshead and Jarrow and one 54 hour possession between Central and Gateshead Stadium. Again these aren't confirmed. Does this mean only one platform will be used at Gateshead and 1 at Monument and Central?

A Nexus Spokesperson replies:

"The main South Gosforth junction is in line for replacement later this year. Plans are still being finalised and we'll be talking to passengers and local businesses well ahead of time. We do aim to use the autumn school holiday and avoid the Christmas season.

The June bank holiday has been kept clear of work on purpose, due to traffic expected round the Evolution music festival, Tynemouth station and other events. As such Metro will be fully open."

 

[142094]

Will be interesting to see what actually happens with the stock movements and likely service pattern when the work is done.

If the proposed South Shields depot had been up and running, that would have been an ideal place to store the stock on the south side.

 

[Kryten2340]

Will be interesting to see what actually happens with the stock movements and likely service pattern when the work is done.

If the proposed South Shields depot had been up and running, that would have been an ideal place to store the stock on the south side.

I put a follow up post on the nexus forum and they have basically said That DBTW will be working on a train plan but they won't publish stabling info for security reasons. Perfectly understandable of course. This suggests to me they will be using a temporary location during the works.

Technically speaking is there anything stopping them storing trains in the underground sections in town and use the walkways to the nearest station for entry/exit? It would be a pain I know but the trains would be safe.

At least we know it's the autumn school holiday it's planned for. Hopefully it's not the full 11 days.

 

[goldsmithb]

good news that metro is being modernised as they have announced another major line closure
http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2012/n...ramme-metro-modernisation-work-north-tyneside

 

[142094]

Should be very similar to the one last year, so will be replacing the other half of the line that they didn't do. Have to say that when the line was relaid last year, the journey quality was a lot better than in had been previously.
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Quite a bit of disruption today due to someone collapsing at Heworth.
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Not sure if anyone is interested, but a special train will be running from Regent Centre to Byker in June for the Diamond Jubilee - from what I can tell it might be running non-stop via Manors curve.

 

[Kryten2340]

Should be very similar to the one last year, so will be replacing the other half of the line that they didn't do. Have to say that when the line was relaid last year, the journey quality was a lot better than in had been previously.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Quite a bit of disruption today due to someone collapsing at Heworth.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Not sure if anyone is interested, but a special train will be running from Regent Centre to Byker in June for the Diamond Jubilee - from what I can tell it might be running non-stop via Manors curve.

Will this be open to passengers?

 

[142094]

Will this be open to passengers?

Only those who have applied for one of the free tickets. I'm assuming that it'll go via Manors, as I can't see it going non-stop around the Coast.

 

[Paul_10]

I wonder like the golden jubilee, will this train carry a livery for the occasion or will it be one of the refurbished cars being used? I suspect the lattar.

Speaking of refurbishments, talk that metrocar 4022 has now gone? It was apparently meant to leave earlier but for whatever reason, this was not the case. Have not seen it since it was last paired with 4040 a couple of weeks ago.

 

[142094]

Looks as if some operation staff and cleaners will be going on strike soon.

 

[Maninblack]

I travelled on two refurbished BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP Metros yesterday and BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP I was trying to talk to my mate BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP and every time it stopped at a BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP station we were getting inter BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP rupted!! Is there a need for such a loud BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP??

 

[142094]

I travelled on two refurbished BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP Metros yesterday and BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP I was trying to talk to my mate BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP and every time it stopped at a BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP station we were getting inter BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP rupted!! Is there a need for such a loud BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP??

Lol, the person who updates the Facebook page said a couple of months back it was going to be changed soon. On the Nexus Discussion forum, it is supposedly being changed this weekend. So we'll wait and see what happens on Monday!

 

[Maninblack]

Lets hope!! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPP
Now I'm sure that was just tinitus!!!

 

[Paul_10]

Its not even an "beep" though, its a high pitched noise which does goes right through you. That said, if you can ignore it then its not that bad.

It will be interesting if it is indeed changed during the weekend.

 

[142094]

Huw has said this weekend, so let's see if it is actually done. Reminder that St James is shut tomorrow, so bit of wrong-direction working, no doubt a few of the Youtube lot will be out.

 

[Maninblack]

Instead of hearing that horrible noise I would rather hear "Please keep you feet off the seats". Putting my feet on seats is something I could never do!! I don't understand why we need that noise when the doors open though.

 

[142094]

A noise is a legal requirement, to let those who are blind or partially sighted know that the doors can be opened - but it doesn't have to be that particular noise of course!
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Happened to travel into town today and got one of the services that terminated at Monument and not St. James - initially quite surprised that the train ran quite fast into platform 3, although I suupose if there aren't any other trains in that section then they can go at linespeed.

 

[danielnez1]

Many years ago I seen an out of service set ran to St James via platform 3 at Monument. I was quite surprised at the speed it came through as well. It did have to reduce speed for the signal at the west end of the platform though (I think it's a fixed red aspect).

 

[142094]

There is at least one train per day that is booked to run empty from St James to Manors and reverse to go to the depot - although it usually slows down when going non-stop through Monument platform 3, it does look a bit strange.

 

[Kryten2340]

Anyone been on the refurbs today? If so has the door tone been changed?

 

[Paul_10]

Of course not, still the same old annoying noise. Was on 4061 today going towards South Shields and it was one of the worse journeys I will ever have, we had problems with the audio so the driver had to say the "doors closing" and when we got into Heworth we had the "dong" going off repeatedly lots of times. The problem got solved after waiting at Heworth for 5 or so mins. Of course with the problems at Jarrow today we were held up a little bit and with all this going on we had a class from a school and in all honestly, you thought it was a school full of children, they were so loud and the teachers did very little to tell them to keep the noise down! It clearly seemed to annoyed other passengers aswell so a trip from Central to Shields felt like it took hours and in the end, I had quite a bit of a headache! Oh and it does not help when 4061's door tone lasts a good 2-3 seconds longer than it does on 4042(or any of the others) which was coupled with it today.

 

[142094]

No suprise there then! Who wants to get onto Huw?

 

[Kryten2340]

Well I think I will boycott the refurbs until its done. I fail to see how this benefits the blind. I mean if someone gets on with a guide dog it's hardly going to be doing the dogs ears a favour is it?

 

[Ze Random One]

Just to add -- the "doors unlocked" noise is, I believe a requirement of the accessibility regulations (or at the very least a strong recommendation).
What you may or may not have noticed is - the noise emanates from the door that has just unlocked, not from the other side - and this is very deliberate. It also needs to be audible externally, as its function is more than just to say "the door is unlocked". It says "THIS door is unlocked, and it is over here".
I do agree that it is a little piercing, and the volume needs to be looked at, but there is a very similar noise on modern national rail stock (usually ping - ping - ping), for the very same reason.
Guide dogs are of little help in this environment, because, I am led to believe, they won't tell a blind person where to go - they will only tell them where NOT to go - a small, but crucial distinction.

I am not an expert on accessibility - I believe there are other people on the forum who have more experience - but I suspect the principle is sound even if the implementation is slightly off.

Finally, to those that just find it too annoying -- maybe it disturbs your morning nap a little -- for some people this may just be one of the dealbreakers that gives them sufficient confidence to use the system on their own? Can you imagine having to ask a friend to accompany you whenever you want to go to the shops? to work? to school? And if they can't come you can't go out? For you, this is a slight annoyance that might bug you for, maybe 20, 30 minutes of your day. For them, difference between independence and dependence. The beep alone won't solve it, but all of these things add up.

 

[142094]

I've been doing some work on accessibility recently, although that means I've forgotten some stuff that I'd read earlier. As far as I'm aware, the only thing that is specified is that a noise should be made - doesn't say what sort of noise. It could be that this one is a factory default one, and it really shouldn't be that hard to change.

 

[Paul_10]

To be fair, Huw has said that one set has been modified so it was obviously not on the set I was on. I did see a refurb set as I was walking to Felling this morning but sadly I have no idea of the numbers or if the door tone has changed or not.

Be interesting what this new noise will be, hopefully something a bit more friendly than the current noise.

 

[alan1962]

These up coming strikes does anyone know what there about? surely it can't just be money? As for the cleaners they work for churchill so why should nexus or DB give them free travel when not at work? and as for the door buzzers on the refurbished trains sorry folks I quite like them

 

[142094]

These up coming strikes does anyone know what there about? surely it can't just be money? As for the cleaners they work for churchill so why should nexus or DB give them free travel when not at work? and as for the door buzzers on the refurbished trains sorry folks I quite like them

Pay will be the most important reason, and the Churchill cleaners are going on strike over pay and the sacking of a colleague. I don't think the cleaners are asking for passes when not at work, but mainly for travelling to and from work.

 

[Kryten2340]

If the strikes are going ahead are Northern permitted to use the intermediate stations? A couple of special trains calling at the SOS or St Peters for the Coldplay and Springsteen gigs could be quite useful.

 

[alan1962]

Pay will be the most important reason, and the Churchill cleaners are going on strike over pay and the sacking of a colleague. I don't think the cleaners are asking for passes when not at work, but mainly for travelling to and from work.

Spoke to a cleaner yesterday, they get free travel to and from work. However they want the same pass that nexus and DB staff get, why should nexus\DB fund there travel when not at work? they should be asking Churchill their employers to pay for it.