Tyne & Wear Metro Fleet Replacement: Awarded to Stadler

[HfdNcl]

From the timetable change (Sunday 15th), there will be a 555 diagram for passenger service every day (using different units).

 

[Jamesrob637]

From the timetable change (Sunday 15th), there will be a 555 diagram for passenger service every day (using different units).

Sunday or Monday for entry into service?

 

[HfdNcl]

Sunday (same day as the Northumberland line opening!).
Then seven days a week (with different 555s), initially working one full diagram.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

Fabulous News! I am really excited to see the Stadler METRO Class 555 entering service! I will be keen to compare them to other members of the “METRO” family such as the G3 Glasgow Subway Stock and the Merseyrail Class 777s. Though as mooted in other threads of a similar topic, the Class 555s are actually quite different in design of body and traction systems, let’s hope their introduction will be smoother and less unreliable to that of the Class 777 cousins down in Liverpool!

 

[MPR]

Sunday (same day as the Northumberland line opening!).
Then seven days a week (with different 555s), initially working one full diagram.

Wrong

 

[DanNCL]

I would be very surprised if it was Sunday unless it’s an STP extra and doing a very limited number of trips. Monday is more likely but that’s far from certain. Nexus will not announce anything in advance in case it doesn’t happen.

Wrong

Maybe you could share the correct answer then?

 

[MPR]

I would be very surprised if it was Sunday unless it’s an STP extra and doing a very limited number of trips. Monday is more likely but that’s far from certain. Nexus will not announce anything in advance in case it doesn’t happen.


Maybe you could share the correct answer then?

It won't be Sunday and won't be seven days a week to start with.

The company won't announce the start date until after the fact, but it won't be Sunday.

 

[DanNCL]

It won't be Sunday and won't be seven days a week to start with.

The company won't announce the start date until after the fact, but it won't be Sunday.

Exactly what I thought. I was expecting Monday-Friday only to begin with, and will be back at Gosforth before 2000 (hence choice of T121 as the first diagram).

 

[MetroTyler]

ORR appears to perform these sign-offs on Fridays, if it isn't off by then, it won't be running on Sunday. If it is, it still might not run Sunday but it's at least possible. That being said, the ORR doesn't have a tendency to show their sign-offs publicly until late.

 

[Segedunum]

It can't come out on a timetabled service on Sunday for the moment as there simply aren't any drivers duties assigned to the new fleet on Sundays. Ad-hoc extras are of course possible in theory.

 

[ModernRailways]

From the timetable change (Sunday 15th), there will be a 555 diagram for passenger service every day (using different units).

Where have you got this information from? I have asked around today and this is not true.

A 555 should be in passenger service very(!) soon but as previously stated by myself and others the date is subject to other factors and nexus, rightly for a change, are not going to issue a specific date.

Driver training is still progressing well.

 

[mrgreen]

When I was waiting at West Jesmond yesterday afternoon, a 555 stopped at the platform in between regular services. Bleepers sounded but doors didn't open, then it pulled away. Looked as though there were were quite a few staff on board.

 

[MetroTyler]

That's 555005, running driver training runs

 

[norbitonflyer]

Sunday (same day as the Northumberland line opening!).
Then seven days a week (with different 555s), initially working one full diagram.

Any indication of schedule? In the absence of truly flexible cheap tickets home from Newcastle, it would be frustrating to find it just as the last train on which I can use my so-called semi-flex (aka let the straightjacket out a notch) is due to leave.

 

[800001]

Any indication of schedule? In the absence of truly flexible cheap tickets home from Newcastle, it would be frustrating to find it just as the last train on which I can use my so-called semi-flex (aka let the straightjacket out a notch) is due to leave.

I’ve not seen anything from Office Rail and Road (ORR) authorising the trains into passenger service, unless I’ve missed it.

 

[Swanny200]

I did see one of the new 555s last Thursday at Felling, was quite easy to see it while I was driving as the rear lights pf the unit you could see from miles away. On a seperate note, I haven't seen it reported anywhere else here but there is currently a speed restriction throughout the whole underground section of Gateshead as the flyover that leads towards the Tyne bridge has been closed until further notice as the 1960's structure was assessed on Friday and deemed to be too dangerous to use, as the Metro tunnel runs under this structure, they don't want vibrations causing the structure to get worse. (You can clearly see parts that have already started to crumble badly, as you drive past it every day)

 

[Paul_10]

I did see one of the new 555s last Thursday at Felling, was quite easy to see it while I was driving as the rear lights pf the unit you could see from miles away. On a seperate note, I haven't seen it reported anywhere else here but there is currently a speed restriction throughout the whole underground section of Gateshead as the flyover that leads towards the Tyne bridge has been closed until further notice as the 1960's structure was assessed on Friday and deemed to be too dangerous to use, as the Metro tunnel runs under this structure, they don't want vibrations causing the structure to get worse. (You can clearly see parts that have already started to crumble badly, as you drive past it every day)

On that last point, I understand for a speed restriction between Gateshead Stadium and Gateshead but I dont understand why appearently there is a speed restriction between Gateshead and the QEII bridge where it's nowhere near the flyover? Seems a bit of an overkill too me.

 

[Swanny200]

On that last point, I understand for a speed restriction between Gateshead Stadium and Gateshead but I dont understand why appearently there is a speed restriction between Gateshead and the QEII bridge where it's nowhere near the flyover? Seems a bit of an overkill too me.

I don't get it either, they have raised it to 30kph today from 20kph yesterday, unless they figure that the vibration could travel far enough to have an effect

 

[Segedunum]

I don't get it either, they have raised it to 30kph today from 20kph yesterday, unless they figure that the vibration could travel far enough to have an effect

This is related to the fact that there are no suitable places within Gateshead station itself to locate TSR signage - so the entrance to the tunnel portals was the closest location where this could be done.

There is work going on behind the scenes (regular risk assessments in particular) to minimise the effect on Metro services - hence the raising of the speed limit from 10kph to 30kph yesterday afternoon.

 

[danielnez1]

This is related to the fact that there are no suitable places within Gateshead station itself to locate TSR signage - so the entrance to the tunnel portals was the closest location where this could be done.

There is work going on behind the scenes (regular risk assessments in particular) to minimise the effect on Metro services - hence the raising of the speed limit from 10kph to 30kph yesterday afternoon.

On the plus side the double deck flyover will likely be demolished, as the original 60s proposal was for the flyover to link to a new Tyne bridge that never materialised.

 

[MetroTyler]

This week or next week I do wonder. Perhaps the week after.

 

[800001]

This week or next week I do wonder. Perhaps the week after.

Biggest clue will be when ORR authorise them for passenger use!
I’m yet to see this been confirmed yet!

 

[MetroTyler]

Biggest clue will be when ORR authorise them for passenger use!
I’m yet to see this been confirmed yet!

The problem is we can't actually know as the ORR doesn't always immediately publish when they have signed off a train. It's very odd.

 

[hacman]

The problem is we can't actually know as the ORR doesn't always immediately publish when they have signed off a train. It's very odd.

Very typical government process to be honest, as the notification will be distributed to all who actually need it directly, meaning public distribution is a secondary priority.

 

[Snow1964]

BBC article saying have been told, at least one in service by end of the year, but no indication of date.

Of course one, could be bit like SWR and 701s, years late, and a year on, just handful in service

A new Metro train is still on track to enter service by the end of this month, a transport boss has said.
Stuart Clarke, infrastructure director at Nexus, told BBC Radio Newcastle the operator was "committed" to the end-of-year rollout, but would not confirm a date.
The launch of the £362m fleet, to replace the current outdated carriages, has been delayed several times due to testing, driver training and inflation.
"We are still committed, we are going to see a new train in customer service this month," Mr Clarke said.
Passengers were originally told the 46 Swiss-built trains would be introduced between summer 2023 and early 2025.
The initial target date was first moved to the end of 2023, before being pushed back to the start of 2024 and delayed further to the end of the year

Metro 'committed' to end-of-year new train rollout

Bosses insist the new trains will begin service this month, despite no date being confirmed.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Kite159]

BBC article saying have been told, at least one in service by end of the year, but no indication of date.

Of course one, could be bit like SWR and 701s, years late, and a year on, just handful in service

Metro 'committed' to end-of-year new train rollout

Bosses insist the new trains will begin service this month, despite no date being confirmed.

www.bbc.co.uk

31st December then, running an unadvertised additional South Gosforth to Monkseaton service or something else silly like that to say they have run in passenger service before the end of the year.

Similar to TPE running a Top & Tailed 68 hauled service between Manchester Piccadilly & Airport one year

 

[northeast10]

31st December then, running an unadvertised additional South Gosforth to Monkseaton service or something else silly like that to say they have run in passenger service before the end of the year.

Similar to TPE running a Top & Tailed 68 hauled service between Manchester Piccadilly & Airport one year

nope, this quote sounds like it’s been taken from a certain Facebook group. If you’d read the comments previous you will see that it’s imminent. They don’t want to release a date for obvious reasons.

 

[DanNCL]

The date that I had been aware of has now been and gone, which means either the timescale has slipped again or that my usually reliable source was incorrect this time.

 

[ainsworth74]

Of course one, could be bit like SWR and 701s, years late, and a year on, just handful in service

I reckon that, unless something unexpected comes out of the woodwork once they're in service rather than testing, that they'll got a fair clip. The old fleet is utterly shagged and clinging on by it's fingernails. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all gone within 12 to 18 months or so, if not a little quicker if they can manage it. I doubt they want to go through another full winter with the existing units making up a preponderance of the fleet unless there is absolutely no option at all.

Isn't most of the fleet now in the UK? I suspect therefore it will be a question of how quickly they get drivers trained up and any individual unit acceptance work done.

 

[MetroTyler]

I reckon that, unless something unexpected comes out of the woodwork once they're in service rather than testing, that they'll got a fair clip. The old fleet is utterly shagged and clinging on by it's fingernails. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all gone within 12 to 18 months or so, if not a little quicker if they can manage it. I doubt they want to go through another full winter with the existing units making up a preponderance of the fleet unless there is absolutely no option at all.

Isn't most of the fleet now in the UK? I suspect therefore it will be a question of how quickly they get drivers trained up and any individual unit acceptance work done.

Nope, only 13 units are here of the 46 order. Still a long while to go but many will flood in during '25