Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[142094]

I've had a quick look and some of the trains that terminate at Monument are normal service trains, but the vast majority are the extra for Christmas. Also this Sunday one extra train looks to be running Monument - North Shields all day, terminating at platform 2 at North Shields.

 

[Kryten2340]

Platform 1 at St. James is currently out of use due to the escalator renewal work, so only platform 2 can be used by passenger services. On most days during December, some of the trains that would normally return to the depot after working Regent Centre/Monkseaton - Pelaw services are being kept out for the Christmas shoppers. Some of these trains are extended to St. James, and in previous years they would wait in the other platform for the regular service train to depart, then follow it around the Coast. However, with only one platform being in use, the extra train will terminate at Monument platform 4, shunt out of service to St. James platform 1, out of service to Monument platform 3 then in service around the Coast.

This is the reason why on Sundays trains are often held in the tunnel between Monument platform 4 and St. James. Under normal timetabled running on a Sunday, there will be one train in the platform at St. James and the train behind normally arrives into the opposite platform. The first train then departs for Monument while the second has a 15 minute wait at St. James. However, with only one platform in use the train terminating at St. James has to wait for the train in front to clear platform 2, which can cause delays.

In theory could they not use the overrun tunnel at St James? Train infront detrains at platform 2 then shunts into the overrun. The train behind then arrives on platform 2 and detrains, drivers swap over and train behind becomes the train infront. Means both can then terminate at St James.

 

[142094]

In theory could they not use the overrun tunnel at St James? Train infront detrains at platform 2 then shunts into the overrun. The train behind then arrives on platform 2 and detrains, drivers swap over and train behind becomes the train infront. Means both can then terminate at St James.

Yes they could. Both platforms are set up to allow 4 cars to be held at a time, as you say using the overrun tunnels. The second set of the two would enter the platform under permissive working. However, to move up to the buffer stops at the end of the overrun tunnels requires passing a signal at danger and also over-riding magnets, which has to be done on the permission of Metro control. Over-riding magnets can lead to unwanted Indusi applications, so normally it is only done as a last resort if possible (e.g. today Howdon crossing failed, so to get trains moving the signal had to be passed at danger with authorisation, and the magnet over-ridden). This of course means Control will be busy talking to trains at St. James when they could be busy dealing with an incident elsewhere.

In the end the easiest option seems to have been to get every other train to terminate at Monument. The problem will come tomorrow as the route code needed will be for St. James, as that is where the train will end up out of service. However, the front destination board will probably say Monument to show where the train is actually terminating. As a result there will be a lot of confused passengers still on the train when it terminates at Monument, and meaning a delay when the driver has to go back to kick them off.

 

[ModernRailways]

Issues with the Sunderland line since late last night. No trains running Pelaw to South Hylton and that's likely to remain in place until late Wednesday/Thursday as the damage is severe.

Northern Rail are running again, but with severe delays. Single line operation for those services. Freight services from Tyne Dock are supposedly (where possible) being sent around the Durham Coast.

The storm over the weekend has seriously caused issues. It's also twice now been the last trains that have been affected. The South Shields issue with the roof of a factory at Bede bringing down the knitting, and now the wind at East Boldon (iirc) also bringing down the knitting, both those incidents happened when the last trains to those destinations were leaving Newcastle. Hard for Metro to do anything since staff will have started going home and sourcing a bus replacement will be hard at that time of night, the last Go North East/Stagecoach buses to those destinations will have likely gone too. And especially on Friday night Taxis will have been busy anyway so couldn't source Taxis.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I bet Nexus will be rolling in the compensation from Network Rail!

 

[142094]

Possibly not as it depends on who is at fault. If it was the weather or OHL fault it is Network Rail, if there was a fault with the train then it is Nexus. Cars involved were 22 and I think 67. Both were returned to Pelaw refuge by the battery locos.

Unfortunately a member of depot staff fell from the roof of the train when it was being recovered, so ORR and RAIB are involved.

 

[ModernRailways]

Unfortunately a member of depot staff fell from the roof of the train when it was being recovered, so ORR and RAIB are involved.

I had no idea that had happened! Hoping they're okay and not severely injured!

 

[MetroCar4058]

Also sorry to hear that has happened and my thoughts are with the man at this time

Just on 4039 and there is a right angle triangle shaped box with what looks like a camera or passenger counter in it near the articulate, it is pointing at door set A4 A6; does anyone know what this is, it seems a rather new feature.

 

[Paul_10]

Also sorry to hear that has happened and my thoughts are with the man at this time

Just on 4039 and there is a right angle triangle shaped box with what looks like a camera or passenger counter in it near the articulate, it is pointing at door set A4 A6; does anyone know what this is, it seems a rather new feature.

Its just an old camera(?) which very few units had before refurbishment, I believe only unit 4036 has this. Why they were not removed from refurbishment is anyones guess.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I'm sure it's not anything old, it looked very new and I have never noticed anything of the sort on any of the units. I do have an image that I'll upload later when I'm at the PC

https://db.tt/QT1WbsaW

 

[142094]

Just an old camera housing, which became obsolete when the new domes were installed a few years back. Why it is still there I do not know but probably was cheaper just to paint the panel that it is on rather than make an entirely new panel.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Hmm, interesting. Thank you for the information and sorry Paul for doubting, the shiny appearance of the item deceived me!

 

[Paul_10]

Hmm, interesting. Thank you for the information and sorry Paul for doubting, the shiny appearance of the item deceived me!

No worries, as I say, I think only very few units had them camera things as before the PA boards came, the old cameras were on the Articulation bit.

Any updates on units 4077 & 4083? Are they any closer to being out in service again? Also is 4001 still paired with 4040/?

 

[142094]

Any updates on units 4077 & 4083? Are they any closer to being out in service again? Also is 4001 still paired with 4040/?

Both are now on 16 road with pantographs down. 4083 hasn't moved for over a month. No timescale for both their returns to service.

4001 still with 4040 as 4002 has a recurring fault which is in the process of being repaired.

 

[Paul_10]

Both are now on 16 road with pantographs down. 4083 hasn't moved for over a month. No timescale for both their returns to service.

4001 still with 4040 as 4002 has a recurring fault which is in the process of being repaired.

So is 4077 problem still with the re-wiring which happened during refurbishment? I'm surprised they never thought of sending it back down there for them to sort out seeing as its seemingly its Wabtec who has caused the problem.

 

[142094]

So is 4077 problem still with the re-wiring which happened during refurbishment? I'm surprised they never thought of sending it back down there for them to sort out seeing as its seemingly its Wabtec who has caused the problem.

Think there is some sort of contractual wrangle going on which I do not have details of. However, until that is sorted, 4077 won't be doing much.

Interestingly I'm not sure if Wabtec are able to power up a Metro at Doncaster to test their own work. The first opportunity will more than likely be when the car is brought back to Gosforth.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Well, some very very disappointing news today regarding Metros funding. The question is, can the all changes cloth be cut any thinner? Maybe a big fine for DB can help fill the gap

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyne-wear-metro-modernisation-plans-10592014

 

[142094]

Nothing much has changed over the Christmas and New Year period. 4002 still out of action along with 4083, doubtful if they will be returned to service anytime soon. No progress on 4077 as far as I can see.

More problems with the power feed on Network Rail so no service between Pelaw and Brockley Whins. 4 sets are down working between Brockley Whins and South Hylton at a time, although on Tuesday only three were in action with one set in the sidings at Sunderland due to a driver being over his hours. Plus there is no timetable for the shuttle service as it has to fit around the other Northern/GC/freight which the signaller will try to keep to timetable rather than the Metro service.

 

[S Lowes]

Hi All

Not a fleet related question but i'm currently editing the Train Running Board Diagrams from ( https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/current_and_latest_full_working#incoming-703253 ) so they are more readable and I've ran into a problem and i'm hoping someone can help .

Train Running Board 128 starts at Pelaw at 0538, now does anyone know if this service runs ECS to Pelaw or in Passenger Service?. As i cant find anything that shows it running in service to Pelaw, can anyone confirm this?.

Many Thanks
Scott

 

[S Lowes]

Hi All

I'm currently redoing the Train Running Boards from a Freedom of information request to make them more readable.

Looking at them Train 128 starts at Pelaw at 0538 but the diagrams don't show a working from Gosforth to Pelaw.

Am i right in thinking that it runs ECS to Pelaw?

Many Thanks
Scott

 

[142094]

128 indeed does run empty from Gosforth via the west neck to Pelaw. It is also the last train to terminate at Manors in the early morning, along with 124, 125 and 126.

 

[S Lowes]

128 indeed does run empty from Gosforth via the west neck to Pelaw. It is also the last train to terminate at Manors in the early morning, along with 124, 125 and 126.

Brilliant Thank You!

A completely different question for everyone.

At Monument before the lift was replaced there was a Basement between the Platforms and Concourse operated by a key, does anyone know what is actually on that floor? its bugged me for years and remembered about it today.

Are there any pictures or information on it?

Thanks
Scott

 

[142094]

The only thing that I can think of between the platforms and concourse is the voids for the escalators. These can be accessed from staff areas for maintenance but I don't know if there was lift access at any time (very rarely used the lift at Monument).

 

[Paul_10]

Nothing much has changed over the Christmas and New Year period. 4002 still out of action along with 4083, doubtful if they will be returned to service anytime soon. No progress on 4077 as far as I can see.

Going to be interesting too see if 4083 will ever return to service or not, I believe its been out of service since April with its pantograph down and seemingly doing very little. I'm sure 4077 will return to service eventually though, be a waste of time to refurbish a metrocar and not too use it.

Would be good too see 4001 + 4002 paired together again though, I believed it happened last year albeit only briefly(not including the time when they were paired together for the celebration of the prototypes).

 

[ModernRailways]

From what I've heard 4083 will not be re-entering service! It will be used for parts to keep the other 3 going. 4002 is supposedly going to be back out before the end of March so the other two unrefurbed units can be given some maintenance as well as their exams.

Just a small side note but the two unrefurbed units running atm, 4001 and the other are two of the least reliable units. A lot of people seem to be saying they're the only trains working but they aren't. They usually don't run full services and on numerous occasions now have ran into South Gosforth siding before turning and running empty to the depot. A refurbished set usually comes in straight after so delays are minimal.

 

[hacman]

Do we actually know what is wrong with 83 and 77?

 

[142094]

83 was waiting an artic section change and now looks like it is waiting for a compressor. 02 had problems with a brake circuit breaker tripping, but now also is waiting for a compressor. When car 77 was returned from Wabtec, there was apparently a wiring fault which meant a short circuit and smouldering wires. So all that will have to be replaced.

I was on 01/40 today, running as 129. The problem at the minute is a lack of spare sets so any sets running will be getting maximum use (and therefore more running time = more faults).

 

[MetroCar4058]

I think Metro could do with the full 90 complement for the final few years of the MetroCar. I've noticed that many sets are running from the B end (due to faults?)

I've also seen that many peak services into Regent Centre have been cancelled (or late) the 0815 seems to only run every other day. How bad is the unit shortage? Really, talk one unit out of service means another is also lost.

 

[hacman]

And this is made worse by the fact that there are currently both refurb and non refurb out of service long term, since they now don't interoperate for fleet service.

This is going to get interesting in the coming years.

 

[MetroCar4058]

And this is made worse by the fact that there are currently both refurb and non refurb out of service long term, since they now don't interoperate for fleet service.

This is going to get interesting in the coming years.

I agree, a mixed fleet is a recipe for disaster. Assuming 4 refurbished MetroCars are in for maintenance, 4077 is OOS and 4083 is OOS, that is 8 MetroCars out of service in total. If the original plan had have been followed, there would only have been 6.

I musty admit, I was on 4040 this morning, and I find the older units are more comfortable.