Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[Scott M]

Why do people dislike the pop card system? I love it - so easy to renew your ticket and helps to stop fare evasion.

And yeah I have noticed the PA system is never on on the yellow-line morning rush hour trains anymore.

Finally I don't want an announcement every 30 seconds that you're stopped, it would be annoying. I've never heard anybody start to get worried about delays of that length - they only need to make an announcement when it is a 'true' delay e.g. train broken down.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Regarding the on screen announcements, I know the peak services don't have them often, but all 3 MetroCars I went on today (a mix of old and new) did not have the extras so to say, I noticed this a few days ago, I hope they aren't prattling around with the woman's words without making beneficial changes.

I think they've sneaked the bloke out of service, or he is the slowest role out ever (might take the same time as the pop cards :roll: )

The pop cards don't work, under 16 CAT tickets aren't streamlined, many people are uneducated on how to use them, key features such as credit on the card are about 4 years late etc. it's all good for your year saver for the metro only, but if your ticket is cross network ie bus and metro, it fails miserably even thought the card was designed to work on both

 

[tez thorn]

i dont know if its just me being sad,but part of me will miss the rainbow of colours that metro had for

liveries,i also have mixed view on north shields metro station too

 

[ModernRailways]

To be fair I think we all agree the Metro is a fantastic service and does rather well on most occasions, personally I don't like to 'have a go' at the system in fact I like to complement it as it is overall very good however on the flip side we all probably agree that nexus management isn't the best (pop card...)it could be and most of the moans and groans are real concerns, often if I complain it will be about the front line staff who don't know how to work with the public, this isn't a issue for the Metro itself but it doesn't look well on the system if they are being cheeky to those who pay for the service and want to know information.


Also regarding the PA system strange things are happening! The awful man is now gone I believe and now most of the directional aids are gone for example:

Regent:'This train is for all stations to South Hylton via newcastle, the next station is South Gosforth change here for trains to the coast from Platform 2' which is now 'the next station is south Gosforth' however going towards South Gosforth from Ilford road remains unchanged.

Monument in both directions is now just 'the next station is Monument'

'Change here for all local bus services' remains the same

So the big question is, what is Nexus doing? Getting rid of those announcements is crazy! So my theory is they are enhancing the lady's voice over putting the new man into service as I cannot fathom out why they have made this change, after all many people do get confused, especially at Monument.

Finally most platforms now just say 'anding (that's correct not standing) at platform 2 is for Airport' and I noticed at Gateshead it said this instead of 'then next train to arrive upon platform 2 is for...'


Has anyone else noticed this and knows the reason for it?

I was thinking this myself. I could have sworn the announcement for Heworth had changed, as well as a few others but obviously I wasn't recording so couldn't listen to it again to see if it had changed or it was just me thinking it had.

As for it saying 'anding instead of standing is because the first part of the announcement is often missed because it comes into quickly. It varies from station to station though.

Replacement fleet is included in the modernisation programme but not until phase 3 of the programme which is yet to be approved, even if Nexus applied to have new trains, I highly doubt we will be enjoying a new fleet of trains at this moment with all the various complications and usual delays that we seem to get when new stock is ordered and then delivered.

What I am concerned about is the date for a suppose new fleet to arrive is keep getting put back, I'm sure 2023 was originally planned, then 2026, now 2030. Its took long and I'm sure I read in one of the ITA files in the past that yet another refurbishment is not ruled out but stressed this was an option as a very last resort. I wish Nexus is not so obsessed about these ambitious projects such as street tram running and just concentrate with what they got and what they need to get done.

On a positive note, there is some signs the modernisation programme is worth the money spents as failures such as points failures are very very rare and the ride on newly laid track is much improved but sadly reliability on the trains is still poor but one must consider how often do they encounter a delay on a journey, in my case, its very rare and I travel on the Metro quite a lot(admittedly during the peaks and through the core of the system). That said, if you look at the total broader picture, then no doubt the amount of trains being withdrawn from service in say a 5 day period is no doubt too high for Nexus liking.

Not until Phase 3 and it's still not even finalised, plus the fact that that is in 2030 when the current stock will be almost 20 years older than it was made for!

I'm all for extensions, especially re-opening the leamside down towards Washington with a new depot / trainshed near Pelaw. Nexus seem to be really wanting to go for Newcastles West End which simply is ridiculous. Trams will only get held up in current traffic or if given own lanes then they will cause more traffic, and the current buses are good enough and run frequent enough. If it was me I would focus on current railway alignments (or former alignments) to be used as extensions.

Slightly off-topic but I have a friend who works as an accountant for a pretty large company in London and he reckons that if Scotland go independent Newcastle and the North will see a huge surge in companies moving. Now if we don't have adequate transportation then why would those companies move here when they could go to Manchester or Leeds (granted, Leeds is probably in just as much of a mess if not worse than we are).

Despite what Nexus have said the will do, the male announcer has not been phased in yet and I don't know if 4038 has still got the male PA's or not. 4047(was 4064 but after refurbishment, its now got the female's voice again) is the other unit with the male announcer but I have not been on this unit for a while now so no idea if the male announcer is still on there or not. Of course make sure 4047 is the lead car because if its the other car leading, you will get the females voice although the boards will still say "Next station is...."

Don't worry he's still there, but the announcements are turned off - he may have been removed from the actual announcements and not yet replaced. He still says 'Doors Closing' though. Maybe if there are any drivers lurking, they could let us know

Why do people dislike the pop card system? I love it - so easy to renew your ticket and helps to stop fare evasion.

And yeah I have noticed the PA system is never on on the yellow-line morning rush hour trains anymore.

Finally I don't want an announcement every 30 seconds that you're stopped, it would be annoying. I've never heard anybody start to get worried about delays of that length - they only need to make an announcement when it is a 'true' delay e.g. train broken down.

*rant time* Okay okay, I'll keep calm. Easy to renew. Pfft, yeah right. Here is my experience. Still waiting for a response mind http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104528

How often are you stopped for more than 30 seconds though. I bet it is very very rare. Even in the peak the only time you may be stopped for a while is outside Pelaw waiting for the platform to become available or waiting for the St James bound train to pass at Pelaw Junction but even then it's not 30 seconds. Next time you're stopped unexpectedly count roughly how long you're stopped and I bet you will be surprised just how long those seconds actually are!

Regarding the on screen announcements, I know the peak services don't have them often, but all 3 MetroCars I went on today (a mix of old and new) did not have the extras so to say, I noticed this a few days ago, I hope they aren't prattling around with the woman's words without making beneficial changes.

I think they've sneaked the bloke out of service, or he is the slowest role out ever (might take the same time as the pop cards :roll: )

The pop cards don't work, under 16 CAT tickets aren't streamlined, many people are uneducated on how to use them, key features such as credit on the card are about 4 years late etc. it's all good for your year saver for the metro only, but if your ticket is cross network ie bus and metro, it fails miserably even thought the card was designed to work on both

The women is fine as is, with the exception of one or two stations where she mis-pronounces them but most locals don't care, and those who are disabled and require the announcements will likely understand what is meant, but then again most who can't hear the announcements tell staff who then alert the driver who in turn makes a special announcement announcing the station etc. themselves.

It took them a good few years to roll the women out didn't it? I certainly hope it's not the same, although I imagine if they were going to use him they would be putting him on the refurbs.

And there's another Nexus failure. They didn't integrate the Pop card system properly. Northern staff will finally be getting phones that are capable of reading them but you still can't pay for a journey with it on the train. Pay As You Go was supposed to be launched by now (and that was at the incredibly set back date) but hasn't been.

i dont know if its just me being sad,but part of me will miss the rainbow of colours that metro had for

liveries,i also have mixed view on north shields metro station too

It was nice, but I quite like the new livery as long as they don't go changing it or adding advert vinyls that stay on and degrade in quality over time because they're left on too long. Better to have a uniform fleet in the same colours etc. in my view.

North Shields could really do with some plants/plant boxes because the platforms are so big it just looks odd there being nothing to break it up. As for the refurb of other stations the paint at Jarrow is already peeling off on one of the railings showing the old red paint through. I do like the refurbished stations though.

Anyway, I'll shut up now :P

 

[Scott M]

*rant time* Okay okay, I'll keep calm. Easy to renew. Pfft, yeah right. Here is my experience. Still waiting for a response mind http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104528

Tbh I'd have probably made the same mistake as you. I didn't even know the cards had expiry dates. That is a bit odd.. I wonder why.

They could have refunded you just out of sheer goodwill/because you've been persistent.

How often are you stopped for more than 30 seconds though. I bet it is very very rare. Even in the peak the only time you may be stopped for a while is outside Pelaw waiting for the platform to become available or waiting for the St James bound train to pass at Pelaw Junction but even then it's not 30 seconds. Next time you're stopped unexpectedly count roughly how long you're stopped and I bet you will be surprised just how long those seconds actually are!

Fair point, but as you say it is usually only outside Pelaw, and I don't think I'd want an announcement there all the time. People would start to say 'They announce this same thing every day, we know we're waiting for the train to leave Pelaw!'

One thing I have noticed, when they terminate at Pelaw, rather than go into the sidings and then check the train, the drivers now walk down the train at Pelaw station. Just seems a bit pointless to me, and holds up the trains behind even longer, but there is probably some reason behind it.

The women is fine as is, with the exception of one or two stations where she mis-pronounces them but most locals don't care

Have you ever been to New-car-sul or South Gos-fourth?

 

[MetroCar4058]

Yeah the drivers do that at regent centre which often holds up the airport train, it's for safety so they don't take some unknowing passenger into the sidings.

I must admit I like the way the lady says Newcastle and South Gosforth

 

[ModernRailways]

Tbh I'd have probably made the same mistake as you. I didn't even know the cards had expiry dates. That is a bit odd.. I wonder why.

They could have refunded you just out of sheer goodwill/because you've been persistent.

As I said in that thread though, what is going to happen in 2018 when all the CT passes expire and people are trying to renew a Gold Card but are unable too. It will cause unnecessary chaos and Nexus haven't made people aware of this. They are also closing travelshops thus making it harder for people to then renew their Gold Card because they can't do it at a ticket machine. The system doesn't work, Nexus know it but keep fobbing it off. They've bought cheap barriers that no-one else wanted, the software for the Validators doesn't work properly, although it is significantly better than it used to be.

Fair point, but as you say it is usually only outside Pelaw, and I don't think I'd want an announcement there all the time. People would start to say 'They announce this same thing every day, we know we're waiting for the train to leave Pelaw!'

One thing I have noticed, when they terminate at Pelaw, rather than go into the sidings and then check the train, the drivers now walk down the train at Pelaw station. Just seems a bit pointless to me, and holds up the trains behind even longer, but there is probably some reason behind it.

Whilst some may choose to ignore it, it's better than being left in the dark. A lot of regular commuters who will most likely know why they've stopped still look around confused and that quick announcement to just say the train is waiting for the platform will put people at ease and improve Metro's customer service levels. The single most common complaint after people complaining about delays is about their communication and would it really hurt for a driver to take 5 seconds to make the announcement?

As for them walking down the train it's because no passengers at all are allowed into Pelaw sidings and as a result drivers have to check the train is empty.

Have you ever been to New-car-sul or South Gos-fourth?

The Newcastle announcement sounds fine to me. In fact when I last did the whole route around The Coast to St James via Pelaw, Newcastle and South Gosforth the announcements all seemed to be relatively fine, there was the odd dodgy one but even then it wasn't too bad. You could argue the pronunciation of South Gosforth is correct, but because of our dialect it is also not how local people would say it.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I agree 99% of the time the lady is accurate, at least she can say Chichester! I really do not understand what Nexus are doing to the PA system as I see no reason to take off the supplementing information for where to change etc especially when it is probably just as crucial as the stations name itself as many people who are not familiar with the system do get confused, especially at Monument as we have a rather unique line configuration which even some locals get confused by!

Also catching a BRRR doors closing is getting less and less frequent. Does anyone know how many of them we have left, must be about 20 now?

 

[tez thorn]

if im right in thinking,'doors closing' is on the unrefurbished metrocars, and if my list is right then it

should be 20 metrocars its left on(if 4014 is confirmed to be at wabtec),which would bring the total to 66

hope this helps

 

[ModernRailways]

Also catching a BRRR doors closing is getting less and less frequent. Does anyone know how many of them we have left, must be about 20 now?

It's really quite odd, lately I've found myself on an unrefurbished train more often than refurbished. 4001 is still probably the strongest out there, it often has a set of doors out and it has terrible ride quality, but on the other hand it seems to be the most reliable! It's been on the South Hylton and Pelaw services this past week.

It would be interesting to see which are the most reliable metrocars - with the exception of door faults where the train continues in service.

 

[Paul_10]

I agree 99% of the time the lady is accurate, at least she can say Chichester! I really do not understand what Nexus are doing to the PA system as I see no reason to take off the supplementing information for where to change etc especially when it is probably just as crucial as the stations name itself as many people who are not familiar with the system do get confused, especially at Monument as we have a rather unique line configuration which even some locals get confused by!

But do we know this or are we just guessing? As I say, my theory is maybe the driver has not set the route thing stright away at a terminus station thus the PA system effectively does not know where its going hence from my observations and the example I gave that you may of entered a train at a terminus station and you may think the announcements are not switched on only to find out at the next station, the announcements are on.

Could also simply be a fault also. What is dissapointing me that after 5 years after 4038/59 were being trailed for this system, we are still seeing no PA's on some trains and the refurbishment has done nothing to improve the reliability of this equipment.

 

[tez thorn]

I find it a nice treat if its unrefurbished to be honest,its a nice break from 'beeeeeep' and 'beep beep beep',

but doesnt mean i dislike the refurbished ones, but its best to enjoy it while weve got it, in response to

you ModernRailways,i agree,it would be interesting to see which one(s) are most reliable

 

[MetroCar4058]

But do we know this or are we just guessing? As I say, my theory is maybe the driver has not set the route thing stright away at a terminus station thus the PA system effectively does not know where its going hence from my observations and the example I gave that you may of entered a train at a terminus station and you may think the announcements are not switched on only to find out at the next station, the announcements are on.

Could also simply be a fault also. What is dissapointing me that after 5 years after 4038/59 were being trailed for this system, we are still seeing no PA's on some trains and the refurbishment has done nothing to improve the reliability of this equipment.

I highly doubt its a fault as I've had it on 5 or so units over different days, now that I'm aware of it though I will keep a keen eye on it. I agree about the PA usage I think the reliability is poor, or the driver who doesn't turn it on, which is what I believe happens on some Coast trains.

Cheers for the information on the old cars Tez

 

[tez thorn]

i have just updated a previous list i made,so it saves you a job
Tez

your very welcome,ive copied the list to this page since it was on page 5,saves searching for

it
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4001 Prototype(no refurb)
4002 Prototype(no refurb)
4003 Red
4004 Refubished
4005 Red
4006 Refurbished
4007 Red
4008 Refurbished
4009 Refurbished
4010 Refurbished
4011 Refurbished
4012 Red
4013 Refurbished
4014 Refurbished
4015 Refurbished
4016 Blue
4017 Refurbished
4018 Refurbished
4019 Refurbished
4020 Refurbished
4021 Refurbished
4022 Refurbished
4023 Refurbished
4024 Blue
4025 Red
4026 Red
4027 Advertisement
4028 Refurbished
4029 Refurbished
4030 Refurbished
4031 Refurbished
4032 Red
4033 Refurbished
4034 Refurbished
4035 Refurbished
4036 Refurbished
4037 Refurbished
4038 Advertisement
4039 Refurbished
4040 Advertisement
4041 Refurbished
4042 Refurbished
4043 Refurbished
4044 Refurbished
4045 Advertisement
4046 Refurbished
4047 Refurbished
4048 Red
4049 Refurbished
4050 Refurbished
4051 Refurbished
4052 Refurbished
4053 Refurbished
4054 Refurbished
4055 Refurbished
4056 Refurbished
4057 Refurbished
4058 Refurbished
4059 Refurbished
4060 Refurbished
4061 Refurbished
4062 Refurbished
4063 Refurbished
4064 Refurbished
4065 Refurbished
4066 Refurbished
4067 Advertisement
4068 Refurbished
4069 Refurbished
4070 Refurbished
4071 Refurbished
4072 Refurbished
4073 Refurbished
4074 Refurbished
4075 Refurbished
4076 Refurbished
4077 Red
4078 Refurbished
4079 Refurbished
4080 Advertisement
4081 Refurbished
4082 Refurbished
4083 Advertisement
4084 Advertisement
4085 Red
4086 Refurbished
4087 Refurbished
4088 Refurbished
4089 Refurbished
4090 Refurbished
Metrocars Refurbished:68 No Left:18
[/QUOTE]

 

[Scott M]

As I said in that thread though, what is going to happen in 2018 when all the CT passes expire and people are trying to renew a Gold Card but are unable too. It will cause unnecessary chaos and Nexus haven't made people aware of this. They are also closing travelshops thus making it harder for people to then renew their Gold Card because they can't do it at a ticket machine. The system doesn't work, Nexus know it but keep fobbing it off. They've bought cheap barriers that no-one else wanted, the software for the Validators doesn't work properly, although it is significantly better than it used to be.

I imagine they will advertise it sooner to the time that they will be expiring.

Agree the barriers are poor though, seen people hop over them. And the validators are a bit wishy-washy, hate when they decline you when you try to exit despite your pop card being valid. Feel as if people are looking at me thinking 'Haha scum, you've been caught.'

Whilst some may choose to ignore it, it's better than being left in the dark. A lot of regular commuters who will most likely know why they've stopped still look around confused and that quick announcement to just say the train is waiting for the platform will put people at ease and improve Metro's customer service levels. The single most common complaint after people complaining about delays is about their communication and would it really hurt for a driver to take 5 seconds to make the announcement?

Yeah true, maybe an announcement for a delay of over one minute would suffice.

To be fair they have taken the whole being stopped causing passenger anxiety into account, as idk if you have noticed but they don't go up to a red light at full speed and stop at it. They will crawl up to it at a snail's pace so as to minimise the time the train spends at a complete standstill.

As for them walking down the train it's because no passengers at all are allowed into Pelaw sidings and as a result drivers have to check the train is empty.

I had a feeling this would be the reason, although I don't see why it would be such a bad thing if they did get into Pelaw sidings. They'll just end up in Pelaw station again after 2 mins or so.

The Newcastle announcement sounds fine to me. In fact when I last did the whole route around The Coast to St James via Pelaw, Newcastle and South Gosforth the announcements all seemed to be relatively fine, there was the odd dodgy one but even then it wasn't too bad. You could argue the pronunciation of South Gosforth is correct, but because of our dialect it is also not how local people would say it.

Yeah I think she does pronounce South Gosforth correct but we pronounce it wrong, as you say. Still sounds funny though.

My morning rush hour coast metro had the PA system on today.

 

[ModernRailways]

I imagine they will advertise it sooner to the time that they will be expiring.

Agree the barriers are poor though, seen people hop over them. And the validators are a bit wishy-washy, hate when they decline you when you try to exit despite your pop card being valid. Feel as if people are looking at me thinking 'Haha scum, you've been caught.'

Don't expect it. Plus why let people get into the rhythm of renewing at a machine only only for them to be told to go to a travelshop?

Yeah true, maybe an announcement for a delay of over one minute would suffice.

To be fair they have taken the whole being stopped causing passenger anxiety into account, as idk if you have noticed but they don't go up to a red light at full speed and stop at it. They will crawl up to it at a snail's pace so as to minimise the time the train spends at a complete standstill.

We were stuck at Pelaw Junction for 6 minutes today and then trundled along from Pelaw to Hebburn without a peep from the driver. We ended up being 9 late into Jarrow, 10 late into Hebburn.

 

[142094]

I had a feeling this would be the reason, although I don't see why it would be such a bad thing if they did get into Pelaw sidings. They'll just end up in Pelaw station again after 2 mins or so.

Unfortunately quite a lot of the travelling public are oblivious to either the announcements made by the auto PA or the driver, the fact that the front of the train says 'Pelaw', platform boards say 'Pelaw' and 99% of the rest of the passengers get off the train at 'Pelaw', so I'd expect the same passengers to also be oblivious to the dangers of getting off in an area where they are not supposed to be.

This happened a few years ago on the Tube. Granted there are no live rails on the Metro but there are still dangers which are not apparent to the public.

 

[Paul_10]

Wonder to save from trains backing up to have someone on duty during the peaks to check the rear carriage and then sticking their arm up in the air which obviously signals the all clear and it means the driver can stay in his cab after checking the first car and it means the train is in the sidings quicker thus not holding up any trains.

Of course, if everything is running smoothly and the train is on time, there is a 3 min window and most of the time, that is enough time without holding the next train up much to check if every passenger has left the train.

4090 is now back in service paired with newly refurbished 4021.

 

[142094]

Wonder to save from trains backing up to have someone on duty during the peaks to check the rear carriage and then sticking their arm up in the air which obviously signals the all clear and it means the driver can stay in his cab after checking the first car and it means the train is in the sidings quicker thus not holding up any trains.

This certainly would be useful as there is often a queue of trains towards Felling if something is late and there is a terminating service at Pelaw going into the sidings. More often than not, if you are crawling after Felling there is already something waiting ahead at Heworth and something held between Heworth and Pelaw for a terminating train. However, I do believe that there is a certain amount of time between the train entering the sidings and the last signal before Pelaw platform 1 clears which also adds to the delay.

 

[ModernRailways]

Wonder to save from trains backing up to have someone on duty during the peaks to check the rear carriage and then sticking their arm up in the air which obviously signals the all clear and it means the driver can stay in his cab after checking the first car and it means the train is in the sidings quicker thus not holding up any trains.

Of course, if everything is running smoothly and the train is on time, there is a 3 min window and most of the time, that is enough time without holding the next train up much to check if every passenger has left the train.

Metro don't have enough staff to warrant that. The staff that have done it in the past are just the normal CSAs who would usually be doing ticket checks etc.

I don't understand why they haven't got someone mind, especially since it's 5 days a week and would only be required between 7:30 (possibly a little earlier) and 10:00 and then 15:30 and 18:00. That staff member could then work as event staff for when there are events on maybe helping on the gateline.

Even 3 minutes can push it and often that 3 minutes - if the driver checked the train fully/properly - the train following will see it head into the sidings. Then as 142091 says the signal isn't exactly quick at clearing and probably takes around 10 seconds from the train into the sidings clearing the points to the signal clearing. Then if the train to Pelaw is slightly late it could mean a train back towards Newcastle leaving Pelaw sidings will block it's path meaning it gets held further whilst it waits for that train to clear the sidings.

Also, trains are every 2 minutes during the peak with it being South Shields - Pelaw - Pelaw - South Hylton - Pelaw - Pelaw - South Shields. Although you'd be lucky to see the info board state that.

On another note, todays 'technical fault' was a points failure at St James. Oddly, my driver seemed to like his voice as he made the announcements at every stop (the auto-announcements weren't working) and then informed everyone about the problem at St James upon arrival at Central Station, upon departure of Central Station and then again on arrival at Monument! To say I was shocked is an understatement!

 

[MetroCar4058]

I agree about having an extra staff member, it would speed the process up dramatically but would also be an extra cost. Regent Centre probably could also do with a staff member as the time split between a Pelaw train and Airport is about 2 minutes, and due to signalling constraints the train is held basically just after the points at South Gosforth this alongside the low speed limit can waste some time.

Did that mean they had to use one platform at St James? Is that similar to Airport where one pulls in just as the other leaves?

 

[ModernRailways]

Did that mean they had to use one platform at St James? Is that similar to Airport where one pulls in just as the other leaves?

No, trains terminated at Monument.

 

[142094]

Did that mean they had to use one platform at St James? Is that similar to Airport where one pulls in just as the other leaves?

You could only use one platform at St James by running facing road from Manors to Monument platform 3, over ride the signal and into St James. Or by going normal route from Manors to St James, running facing road to Monument platform 4, overriding the stop board, facing road to Manors platform 2 and then using the points at the east of Manors to get back onto the In line.

In short, both sets of points at St James need to be in use for normal running, so if one needs repairs, they are both out of use.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Oh of course, that was me being daft, if they cant swap sides it won't work, silly me

 

[142094]

It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future when Monument station is being refurbished. Closing platforms 3 and 4 would be a right pain in the backside, so something like what I posted above would have to be used to keep at least one platform open whilst the other platform is in use for journeys both towards St James and Manors. This would then mean there is some sort of connection from the Coast to the Airport/S. Shields/Hylton platforms at Monument.

 

[Scott M]

Don't expect it. Plus why let people get into the rhythm of renewing at a machine only only for them to be told to go to a travelshop?



We were stuck at Pelaw Junction for 6 minutes today and then trundled along from Pelaw to Hebburn without a peep from the driver. We ended up being 9 late into Jarrow, 10 late into Hebburn.

True, it would be better if they didn't expire.

And I think that might have been due to a train failure, if it was around 4pm. As I was stuck at Central for about 10 mins, then later saw an out of service train (presumably the culprit) leave pelaw towards newcastle.

I believe a train was taken out of service on the green line tonight too, heading towards the Airport (heard it announced at Monument "The next train towards the Airport is currently at Felling. Metro apologize for any inconvenience caused" - usually that type of announcement = a train has failed).

Edit: nvm, the cause of your delay probably couldn't have been that failed train if you were stuck at Pelaw, as said failed train would have probably been taken into Pelaw sidings.

Still though, that is potentially two failed trains in two days - hope the little purple patch isn't coming to an end!

Unfortunately quite a lot of the travelling public are oblivious to either the announcements made by the auto PA or the driver, the fact that the front of the train says 'Pelaw', platform boards say 'Pelaw' and 99% of the rest of the passengers get off the train at 'Pelaw', so I'd expect the same passengers to also be oblivious to the dangers of getting off in an area where they are not supposed to be.

This happened a few years ago on the Tube. Granted there are no live rails on the Metro but there are still dangers which are not apparent to the public.

Yeah good point, in a safety-critical business you have to assume people are incompetent.

 

[ModernRailways]

It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future when Monument station is being refurbished. Closing platforms 3 and 4 would be a right pain in the backside, so something like what I posted above would have to be used to keep at least one platform open whilst the other platform is in use for journeys both towards St James and Manors. This would then mean there is some sort of connection from the Coast to the Airport/S. Shields/Hylton platforms at Monument.

Could they not just make everyone use the escalators? Although I guess the problem then would be the lift access may be blocked or would only be reachable via a small walled passage blocking access to the stairs/other platforms.

Any news on when Monument will be getting refurbished? I noticed they've repainted Pelaw into the new black, will other stations receive similar instead of a full refurb like Hebburn, Jarrow, Bede etc have received? One point about the refurb is just how bad it is, they are still using the old dirty white (cream) panels instead of bright clean white ones.

True, it would be better if they didn't expire.

And I think that might have been due to a train failure, if it was around 4pm. As I was stuck at Central for about 10 mins, then later saw an out of service train (presumably the culprit) leave pelaw towards newcastle.

I believe a train was taken out of service on the green line tonight too, heading towards the Airport (heard it announced at Monument "The next train towards the Airport is currently at Felling. Metro apologize for any inconvenience caused" - usually that type of announcement = a train has failed).

Edit: nvm, the cause of your delay probably couldn't have been that failed train if you were stuck at Pelaw, as said failed train would have probably been taken into Pelaw sidings.

Still though, that is potentially two failed trains in two days - hope the little purple patch isn't coming to an end!

It was around 15:35, so would have likely been the same train, possibly de-trained at Pelaw before running empty to Gosforth. Although if it was a failed train I wonder why the train I was on stopped on the single track section then proceeded at a ridiculously slow speed to Hebburn before bombing through to Jarrow.

More delays soon because we haven't had any investment in anything for the rail adhesion in the Autumn so trains will be sliding everywhere and theirs nothing Metro can do other than pressure Nexus.

 

[MetroCar4058]

More delays soon because we haven't had any investment in anything for the rail adhesion in the Autumn so trains will be sliding everywhere and theirs nothing Metro can do other than pressure Nexus.

Well that's a bit harsh considering they have actually spent allot of money on that, take a look up near Fawdon, all of the trees are gone and they have chopped allot of them along the network down throughout.

 

[142094]

Well that's a bit harsh considering they have actually spent allot of money on that, take a look up near Fawdon, all of the trees are gone and they have chopped allot of them along the network down throughout.

Problem being that this investment should really have been forthcoming about 5 years ago. In some areas the trees and vegetation had grown so much that it completely covers the lines, forming a sort of tunnel of vegetation.

By contrast when you go down to Network Rail there is very little wheelslip.

 

[ModernRailways]

Well that's a bit harsh considering they have actually spent allot of money on that, take a look up near Fawdon, all of the trees are gone and they have chopped allot of them along the network down throughout.

There were trees cut last year, it didn't stop the leaves. Nor will it this year. My street gets loads of leaves and we don't have any trees nearby. Leaves get picked up and then dropped by the wind.

Cutting them back is useless, what needs to happen is for a proper Railhead train to run around the system. Right now we have a Road-Rail Vehicle which does a crap job and runs around the system in the morning, once twenty trains have passed over it, it starts to lose it's effect and consider that has to be there for a full day and you can see the problem.

Obviously something like this wouldn't come cheap, but in the long run it would result in less delays and so in turn less money lost which could mean it would end up paying for itself by the end of it's life if not earlier!