Tyne & Wear Metro Fleet Replacement: Awarded to Stadler

[hopperelec]

And 555026? Or has that also entered service now - when was its first day?

555026 entered service last Thursday as a replacement for 555031 which failed on T101

 

[Roger B]

555026 entered service last Thursday as a replacement for 555031 which failed on T101

Many thanks

 

[Big M]

Four actually - 4024, 4029, 4041 and 4081.

But yes, they’re being retained to operate this year’s Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT). They’re then slated to go for scrap around December. Nexus plan to hire in locomotives from elsewhere to operate next year’s RHTT while BL1-BL3 (Battery Locomotives) are being refurbished, and the intention is the BLs will run the 2028 RHTT.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2026 ==


Yeah, the RHTT. However, it’s just a refresher run for now (driver competency) - the actual RHTT doesn’t start until mid-September. The refresher runs are running Monday - Friday this week, but nobody knows what timetable they’re running to (except Nexus staff).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2026 ==


97903? If so, that’s a Battery Locomotive (BL3). It’s not in operational condition at all right now, but once it’s refurbished, it’ll be operating the RHTT (from 2028 onwards). The other BLs are BL1 (97901) and BL2 (97902). BL1 is in the best condition out of all the BLs, but is still restricted to depot shunting duties. They need 2 working BLs to use them to run the RHTT.

BL1-BL3 were made by Hunslet. You can read more about them here.

The picture below isn’t mine, but is used with permission. The copyright remains with the creator.

Thanks for this. Why were the battery locos allowed to get into such a state? I must admit that I have been curious for a while as to why only one has been operational.

 

[kez19]

I’m maybe asking a bit of an odd question here, last night and this morning I’ve been hearing horns are the new metros doing this over the bridge? (Queen Elizabeth bridge), I’m guessing here and can only assume by the Pop app but any ideas?

 

[D1537]

And 555026? Or has that also entered service now - when was its first day?

10th September

 

[Kite159]

I still think the bays of 3 seats should be reduced to bays of 2 seats with a fixed armrest between them. Would reduce manspreading & idiotic youths laying across the seats.

 

[D1537]

I still think the bays of 3 seats should be reduced to bays of 2 seats with a fixed armrest between them. Would reduce manspreading & idiotic youths laying across the seats.

To be honest it's quite tricky to fit 3 people in them anyway unless (a) at least two of you are very friendly (b) at least two are fairly slim or (c) at least one is a child

 

[Roger B]

I spent a ouple of hours at West Jesmond today in the afternoon rush-hour - only saw 27 different units (I saw another few on South Gosforth depot). I'd have seen everything working in that time frame wouldn't I?

I've been to Newcastle a few times now to track down 555s, and there's still half a dozen or so I've not seen.

Just wondering whether there are any 555s long-term out of use (eg 001?).

Many thanks

 

[1D54]

Just wondering whether there are any 555s long-term out of use (eg 001?).

Many thanks

Depends what you mean by long term? 001 was working on my only trip up to see some on 15th August but you are probably not talking that far back. I saw 25 of them just standing at South Gosforth for a couple of hours.

 

[Roger B]

Depends what you mean by long term? 001 was working on my only trip up to see some on 15th August but you are probably not talking that far back. I saw 25 of them just standing at South Gosforth for a couple of hours.

Thanks 1D54.

It looks like the fleet is significantly under-utilised though - out of 46 units. Perhaps little wonder they seem in no hurry to get 555022 into service .... even with the extension to Washington.

I guess I'll have to keep chippping away.

 

[Big M]

Thanks 1D54.

It looks like the fleet is significantly under-utilised though - out of 46 units. Perhaps little wonder they seem in no hurry to get 555022 into service .... even with the extension to Washington.

I guess I'll have to keep chippping away.

Do we know what the official line is about what is a major underuse of resource, and I am not buying a jam tomorrow argument

 

[inais20]

Didn’t someone previously say there was a suspension issue that needed to be sorted out? Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re being rotated out of service to sort that.

 

[390Trains]

Didn’t someone previously say there was a suspension issue that needed to be sorted out? Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re being rotated out of service to sort that.

The suspension issue was rectified some time ago. There were a few units with allegedly defective parts that needed to be inspected. These inspections were completed and the units were returned to service. I'm not sure if any units required any replacement parts as a result of the suspension issue, or whether the inspections were precautionary due to an issue with one particular unit.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It seems, from reading up thread, like the maximum one can see is 30 (including a few on depot) out of 46. That implies less than 66% in use. It also means there must be somewhere where the other 33% are hiding - where ?.

 

[CLH]

There is the service uplift in December to every ten minutes which will use more units. And there’s a question over whether we could see a return of any peak shorts - seems unlikely but who knows.

 

[Beebman]

94-second video from Stadler about using tech to diagnose issues with the new units:

The job of maintaining the Tyne and Wear Metro fleet has been transformed since the introduction of the state-of-the-art Stadler Class 555s. Hear from Metro technician James about how his daily work has evolved, and see what these new trains mean for the next generation of aspiring engineers looking to kickstart their careers!

 

[FusionZenFlame]

The last 555, 555022 has entered today on T109!

Although seemingly already withdrawn...