Tyne and wear metro new trains overhead line issues

[hondafan1999]

Has anyone got any more info on the recent overhead line issues on the metro? I’ve spoken to two separate drivers who mentioned that some of the problems have been caused by the new trains’ pantographs. Not sure how true this is, but it’s interesting if that’s the case.

Has anyone else heard the same, or know any more details?

 

[DanNCL]

Both old and new fleets have had pantograph issues recently. As far as I know the cause of the issues still hasn’t been identified.

 

[CL395]

Both 555s were in service on 102 and 104 at seaburn around ~1700 after the disruption so unlikely to be either involved for that incident.

 

[DanNCL]

Both 555s were in service on 102 and 104 at seaburn around ~1700 after the disruption so unlikely to be either involved for that incident.

Was old trains in all of today’s incidents.

 

[hondafan1999]

Both old and new fleets have had pantograph issues recently. As far as I know the cause of the issues still hasn’t been identified.

Ah I see, must be a little bit concerning if the fault hasn't been traced yet

 

[Gostav]

It seems that compared other light rail/tram systems in the UK, T&W Metro's overhead wires fail a bit too frequently?

 

[hacman]

It seems that compared other light rail/tram systems in the UK, T&W Metro's overhead wires fail a bit too frequently?

Metro is the oldest of the modern urban rail systems in the UK, and has the oldest rolling stock at present too.

Whilst a good amount of the OLE has been upgraded and replaced, not all has just yet. There are also a number of areas where the line is fairly exposed, and much of it is built using "simple catenary" methods as the network was very much value-engineered when it was created.

This all adds up to a higher number of issues than elsewhere.

 

[Nym]

Is the pantograph from a common manufacturer…?

 

[hacman]

Is the pantograph from a common manufacturer…?

Both are Brecknell Willis, but they are different generations.

 

[Nym]

Both are Brecknell Willis, but they are different generations.

Oh spiffing.
It might have something to do with Chard closing down?

 

[hacman]

Oh spiffing.
It might have something to do with Chard closing down?

In what sense? I'm not all that up-to-date on what else went on behind the scenes with the plant closure, but seeing as Wabtec own both Brecknell and Faiverley these days I'd expect that operations were able to be transferred smoothly elsewhere.

Are there that many other pantograph manufacturers about now?

 

[Nym]

It isn't public where production has moved to, but Wabtec UK only have (had) production sites in Doncaster, Birkenhead (Wirral) and Barton (Staffs), all very far from Chard. So one would have reasonably expected that none of the production staff will have moved with the company.
So it's very likely that production will have had another very steep learning curve again, especially given there really aren't that many Faiverley pantographs left in the UK to maintain, so there can't be much workforce at them "Existing" sites competent in Pantographs.