Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[MetroCar4058]

During engineering works it's always set to the terminus station, therefore it cannot think it's going to the Airport. What I meant by the the comment is the system from my experience never picks it up for Haymarket and the PA just doesn't work at all. I know how the sound pack works; just saying it didn't work from my experience of trains running South Hylton - Haymarket due to the engineering works.

 

[Paul_10]

During engineering works it's always set to the terminus station, therefore it cannot think it's going to the Airport. What I meant by the the comment is the system from my experience never picks it up for Haymarket and the PA just doesn't work at all. I know how the sound pack works; just saying it didn't work from my experience of trains running South Hylton - Haymarket due to the engineering works.

Well I most certainly seen it work before for Haymarket but it will only work if the destination is set to Haymarket right away, therefore the platform indicators would say the train is terminating at Haymarket and so will the PA's. If its set up as normal then the PA's would be as normal.

As I was not on the system during the weekend then I'm unsure if the destinations were set up showing trains terminating at Heworth/Monument but if they were then the PA's would show this which of course would be a very rare event.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Quite interesting that we were talking about setting up the units and the train Im currently on was still set up for 'Airport' on the return to South Hylton. The driver only realised at Kingston Park after a few confused looks from passengers lol.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4021 has been tagged, just saw her at South Gosforth Depot

 

[142094]

During engineering works it's always set to the terminus station, therefore it cannot think it's going to the Airport. What I meant by the the comment is the system from my experience never picks it up for Haymarket and the PA just doesn't work at all. I know how the sound pack works; just saying it didn't work from my experience of trains running South Hylton - Haymarket due to the engineering works.

The vast majority of trains over the weekend were in fact displaying either South Shields/South Hylton or St James/Airport, as this is what the drivers were told to display. This is despite the fact that both the front destination displays and the platform monitors can show trains as terminating at Heworth and Monument platform 1. The automatic PA on board can also announce trains as terminating at Monument and Heworth.

Note that you can set the destination display on the front of the train to whatever you like but the platform displays go off a different system - which is why sometimes if a driver forgets to change the destination at Airport to South Hylton, the platform boards will still say "This train is for South Hylton" but the front of the train can still read "Airport".

 

[MetroCar4058]

The vast majority of trains over the weekend were in fact displaying either South Shields/South Hylton or St James/Airport, as this is what the drivers were told to display. This is despite the fact that both the front destination displays and the platform monitors can show trains as terminating at Heworth and Monument platform 1. The automatic PA on board can also announce trains as terminating at Monument and Heworth.

Note that you can set the destination display on the front of the train to whatever you like but the platform displays go off a different system - which is why sometimes if a driver forgets to change the destination at Airport to South Hylton, the platform boards will still say "This train is for South Hylton" but the front of the train can still read "Airport".

I'm not referring to this weekend works. I'm referring to the last works at Jesmond :P

 

[Paul_10]

The vast majority of trains over the weekend were in fact displaying either South Shields/South Hylton or St James/Airport, as this is what the drivers were told to display. .

It makes you wonder what is the actual point of adding additional destinations into the displays if they are never going to be used... I'm sure it was a trial to change them when trains were terminating at Haymarket(and possibly South Gosforth also) and they used that for the last few times when trains were terminating at Haymarket so why revert back to the silly way of showing trains heading to places where they are not even going anywhere near... You do wonder how many tourists/rare users of the Metro would get confused by this and why Nexus feels its a good idea to continue this does somewhat baffle me.

If a bus is timetabled to terminate short(e.g Gateshead instead of Newcastle) then they will say that on the front of the bus so why can't Metro be the same.

 

[142094]

Exactly - there were quite a few people waiting on the platforms at stations between South Gosforth and Haymarket who e.g. when a South Shields train arrived, did not board and were obviously waiting for a Hylton train, even though both were terminating at Haymarket. I didn't use the service on the over side of the bridge at the weekend but bet there would have been people at Pelaw doing the same with Airport/Coast trains unless there was staff there to tell them otherwise.

 

[Scott M]

Is the mainline track between Bede and Pelaw no longer in use?

Haven't seen a train on there in ages and they are starting to go rusty! (orange)

If this is the case surely metro could just add in a few points to connect it to the metro rails and voila no more single tracks.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

When I was up there last week, a temporary speed restriction warning sign had been placed at the Pelaw end warning of the restriction on the main Sunderland line, so unless they have to place a sign even on a disused line then it might well still have occasional use.

Just a thought... search RTT for any activity...??


Edited to add:

Yes, it's in use:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...15/08/03/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[Paul_10]

Is the mainline track between Bede and Pelaw no longer in use?

Haven't seen a train on there in ages and they are starting to go rusty! (orange)

If this is the case surely metro could just add in a few points to connect it to the metro rails and voila no more single tracks.

Got too add more than just a few points though, the whole line got to be re-signaled, electrification of the line has to be installed, no doubt the track replaced also and for me personally, is it really worth the money? If after 2030(or whenever the proposed new fleet will hopefully arrive) the frequency of trains is going to be increased from the current 12 mins then perhaps there is the case but apart from a few mins at the most of being delayed then the single line does not really cause too much of a problem.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Nexus have always had their eyes on a dual running in the Bede area; but as you said it would be very costly.

The major benefits of dual runnings is the timetable freedom and it makes it easier for trains to adhere in the event of delays. One could argue it would reduce running costs for the long term as it would remove many points and the need for complex signalling. But thats probably still not a major difference.

I hope Nexus do take the chance if it ever comes to the table as it could open up the possibility of having short works terminating at a station further along the branch as well as providing the much needed line capacity for the GNR. (if the power supply can cope)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
With the increasing likelihood of a Conservative majority, we may need to prepare for another refurbishment in 2023 lol

 

[ModernRailways]

Is the mainline track between Bede and Pelaw no longer in use?

Haven't seen a train on there in ages and they are starting to go rusty! (orange)

If this is the case surely metro could just add in a few points to connect it to the metro rails and voila no more single tracks.

When I was up there last week, a temporary speed restriction warning sign had been placed at the Pelaw end warning of the restriction on the main Sunderland line, so unless they have to place a sign even on a disused line then it might well still have occasional use.

Just a thought... search RTT for any activity...??


Edited to add:

Yes, it's in use:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...15/08/03/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

No, the service no longer runs. It keeps it's booked path, but it last ran in February.

It could well be dual tracked for Metro, but we'd have to wait and see what Network Rail and Shell have to say about that.

 

[Tramfan]

4082 has now also received Emirates advert livery

 

[Scott M]

Got too add more than just a few points though, the whole line got to be re-signaled, electrification of the line has to be installed, no doubt the track replaced also and for me personally, is it really worth the money? If after 2030(or whenever the proposed new fleet will hopefully arrive) the frequency of trains is going to be increased from the current 12 mins then perhaps there is the case but apart from a few mins at the most of being delayed then the single line does not really cause too much of a problem.

Ahh yes I completely forgot about the need to electrify the line haha!

No, the service no longer runs. It keeps it's booked path, but it last ran in February.

The plot thickens.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Got a rare front seat today, and spotted what I think looks like the start of some points on the QE bridge. Might have been mistaken as I wasn't really looking out for it so only caught it at a glance, but it looked like they had laid the initial parts (where it branches off each line) but not the part in the middle which connects those two branch offs together. Hard to explain but if you get a front seat view you might see what I mean!

Also does anyone know the purpose of the little yellow cones at the side of the tracks leading into jesmond?

 

[ModernRailways]

Got a rare front seat today, and spotted what I think looks like the start of some points on the QE bridge. Might have been mistaken as I wasn't really looking out for it so only caught it at a glance, but it looked like they had laid the initial parts (where it branches off each line) but not the part in the middle which connects those two branch offs together. Hard to explain but if you get a front seat view you might see what I mean!

Also does anyone know the purpose of the little yellow cones at the side of the tracks leading into jesmond?

I believe they're for derailing trains. Not preparation for a set of points. It could, however, be where the track is allowed to expand and shrink. I believe they're is a set of those just prior to the bridge on the Newcastle side.

I've been wondering that too. Have no idea, and I've never seen them before.

 

[142094]

They look to be a new style of expansion joint. Not trap points as there is no point motor there to move the switch rail across (trap points on the system are normally only in sidings and on the exit roads from the depot.

The yellow cones are called lateral sleeper resistance anchors and were installed just after the track was relaid - the new track is continuous welded rail and the anchors are there to stop movement of the track due to the curvature of the line.

Also believe 4045 came back yesterday.

 

[MetroCar4058]

It's sad to see that Metro will be effected by the looming National Rail strike, of course it is to be expected. It is a very good time to impose maximum impact so good on the Unions!

I really cannot understand why people persist to blame Metro for factors beyond their control. Regarding the replacement bus service I believe Nexus has made the correct choice. Firstly it would be unfeasible and it would also undermine those on strike, which is never a good thing. Those asking for a refund from Nexus have gave me a good chuckle! I wonder how Nexus can change their frosty relationship with some passengers.

 

[ModernRailways]

It's sad to see that Metro will be effected by the looming National Rail strike, of course it is to be expected. It is a very good time to impose maximum impact so good on the Unions!

I really cannot understand why people persist to blame Metro for factors beyond their control. Regarding the replacement bus service I believe Nexus has made the correct choice. Firstly it would be unfeasible and it would also undermine those on strike, which is never a good thing. Those asking for a refund from Nexus have gave me a good chuckle! I wonder how Nexus can change their frosty relationship with some passengers.

A bustitution would also effectively be breaking the strike which I believe is against the law.

It's fine though the strike has been called off so service as normal - expect delays

 

[MetroCar4058]

Probably not for much longer under this government haha the moaners will be out in force.

 

[Scott M]

Having seen them again I agree they seem to be a new form of expansion joint, and thanks for the info wrt the cones at jesmond

Anybody else noticed that the station announcement for Regent Centre trains arriving at Pelaw has changed to "The next train to arrive on Platform 2 terminates here"? I wonder how that error has came about.

 

[ModernRailways]

Anybody else noticed that the station announcement for Regent Centre trains arriving at Pelaw has changed to "The next train to arrive on Platform 2 terminates here"? I wonder how that error has came about.

It's been like that for bloody ages. Not sure why. Think it just depends on when the driver set the train up and if it's fully registered into the system until it's cleared Pelaw.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Good old PA system. I must say they've done a very good job with the new track across the QE II Bridge. A very smooth ride and no bouncing around as you enter into the tunnels on the Gateshead side.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Does anyone know the major differences between the A and B end after refurbishment?

 

[142094]

Does anyone know the major differences between the A and B end after refurbishment?

Are you talking about the cabs or the passenger areas?

 

[Paul_10]

Are you talking about the cabs or the passenger areas?

If he means the Cab areas then from what I can see, it seems the interior walls in the B end are still Grey as opposed to the more white looking interior walls in the A end and the A end has got new lights(like a couple of flat lights on the ceilings) which are a whiteish colour when switched on whilst the B ends has still got to the same light pre refurbishment. Have a peak through the small window and you will know what I mean. Also most A cabs have got new driver seats whereas on some units, some B ends don't but this is quite inconsistant throughout the fleet it has to be said.

One thing that has crossed me mind now we are on the subject and both cab ends have got them since refurbishment is the 'box' looking thing next to the FASSI display, what is that? One of my thoughts is that it is a device for the driver to speak to the passengers and/or control which could be a replacement for the cab phone?

 

[MetroCar4058]

Yes sorry I was a bit vague. I did mean the drivers cab Didn't they change the wiring/buttons for the doors?

 

[Tramfan]

I'm curious to know what's currently going on with the 4 unrefurbished units, as 4002+4040 still remain in service but 4083 has been parked up sandwiched between some of the engineering wagons with its pantograph down for about 10 days now (just visible from the footbridge at the east end of the depot)

4001 has just joined it in the last couple of days as well.

 

[hacman]

Said box is to do with the new "call for assistance" buttons in the easy access areas. It sounds the alarm, showing where it has been called from, and allows the driver to acknowledge.

 

[Tommy1581]

I'm curious to know what's currently going on with the 4 unrefurbished units, as 4002+4040 still remain in service but 4083 has been parked up sandwiched between some of the engineering wagons with its pantograph down for about 10 days now (just visible from the footbridge at the east end of the depot)

4001 has just joined it in the last couple of days as well.

I'm led to believe that 4001, 4002, 4040 and 4083 won't be refurbished and will act as spares and duplicates as the corrosion is so bad.

4001 and 4002 are supposed to be coupled together in the next few days for an Airport - Percy Main 40th anniversary service.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I've just noticed there is no PA across the central belt for the automated train arrivals. Does anyone know what these technical woes are down to?

 

[Scott M]

I've just noticed there is no PA across the central belt for the automated train arrivals. Does anyone know what these technical woes are down to?

Not sure but if it means that my ears won't be taken off by the loudness of the Haymarket announcements then I'm happy.