Tyne and Wear Metro

[sprinterguy]

Finally, the first refurbished Metrocar is released!

That's a weird front end livery treatment Still, it's good to see that the work has finally been completed on the first of the refurbs.

 

[cdonnigan]

Fingers crossed they didn't choose the off-white flooring that was trialed on one of the in-service sets!

Should be interesting to see what they've done with the thing...

the interior is white by the look of the internal pictures released

 

[Paul_10]

Just type the link into your adress bar and it should work.

I'm not too sure who thought of that design for the front end but I thought there has to be more yellow than black yet those pics there is way more black than yellow? Also have people noticed how one of the pics have the word METRO under the logo on the front end and yet another picture just has the plain M logo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60496663@N07/6217032022/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60496663@N07/6217032030/in/photostream/

Either one end has the plain M logo and the other has the M logo with METRO underneath it or more likely they had a rethink because the 2nd photo it would appear to be the latest one. You can tell this not only by the apparant date of the photo but you can see some of the interior fittings being fitted unlike the first photo. Personally I prefer just the plain M logo but some others may differ from that opinion.

Also note the colour change in the door buttons, not sure why that was needed, I assume to go with the livery? Anyways, I actually like the livery, better than what I thought it would of been, can't wait too see the full new interior, early pics suggests it should be better than what we already got and you can tell its alot more "brighter".

 

[Maninblack]

Just type the link into your adress bar and it should work.

I'm not too sure who thought of that design for the front end but I thought there has to be more yellow than black yet those pics there is way more black than yellow? Also have people noticed how one of the pics have the word METRO under the logo on the front end and yet another picture just has the plain M logo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60496663@N07/6217032022/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60496663@N07/6217032030/in/photostream/

Either one end has the plain M logo and the other has the M logo with METRO underneath it or more likely they had a rethink because the 2nd photo it would appear to be the latest one. You can tell this not only by the apparant date of the photo but you can see some of the interior fittings being fitted unlike the first photo. Personally I prefer just the plain M logo but some others may differ from that opinion.

Also note the colour change in the door buttons, not sure why that was needed, I assume to go with the livery? Anyways, I actually like the livery, better than what I thought it would of been, can't wait too see the full new interior, early pics suggests it should be better than what we already got and you can tell its alot more "brighter".

In the picture where the officials are standing, it looks like there is no windscreen wiper!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I think it looks quite smart, but I thought they were putting air conditioning in!
It seems that they have put the original windws back in, so if they have put air con in it won't have the desired efect! I'll be there tomorrow when it returns!!

 

[142094]

Looks like Metro Radio leaked the pictures before they were supposed to! Should have been embargoed from reporting the story until tomorrow.

As for the livery - sides look quite good but the front is terrible - far too much black. As Paul has said, it must be right on the limits of being to Railway Standrads for the amount of yellow that must be visible. Also wonder what effect the darker background will have on being able to see the LED destination display.

 

[Paul_10]

Also wonder what effect the darker background will have on being able to see the LED destination display.

I suppose that would make sence why there is black across the top, in theory it should make the LED displays stand out more for those more partially sighted but for those with normal eyesight, I think it won't make any difference.

I also remember that pic that was posted in the past and I thought the idea was that the front ends would look different but apart from extra bits of black, its exactly the same? Although that said, I prefer them like that, that metro logo in the mock up pic just looked out of place.

One other thing to note, the metrologo on the sides does not look like the updated metrologo since DB took over which is a bit surprising, let just hope those logos don't smudge whenever Graffti gets washed off!

One last thing to remember, this metrocar and 4 others are apparently just prototypes for the rest of the fleet so expect some moderfications to be made I would of thought.

 

[valenta]

I personally think it's a bit dull. But it does have some style about it.

 

[142094]

One other thing to note, the metrologo on the sides does not look like the updated metrologo since DB took over which is a bit surprising, let just hope those logos don't smudge whenever Graffti gets washed off!

Probably the 'B' end I would have thought - since it will only be the 'A' ends which are driven from, unless there is an emergency. So I'm guessing that the new logo will be on the A ends only - and not be able to see the old one.

 

[Paul_10]

Probably the 'B' end I would have thought - since it will only be the 'A' ends which are driven from, unless there is an emergency. So I'm guessing that the new logo will be on the A ends only - and not be able to see the old one.

Nope I mean on the sides of the units, the metrologo looks like the standard one from the pre DB Regio days from the photos.

You may have a point however though that the 'A' ends has the METRO logo whilst the 'B' ends have just the boxed M logo. All will be revealed tomorrow though.

Would be interesting if we get an answer of the thought behind the black paint on either side of the logo, I suppose the black on the top could be to make the LED blinds stand out more for DDA purposes.

 

[hacman]

With regards to air conditioning, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it is only going to be in the drivers cab.

I could (and really hope) I'm wrong on that though.

The new livery looks good, although the black end does look a bit odd

Jon

 

[MCR247]

The front looks terrible.

 

[dickdarlington]

Surely there isn't enough yellow on the front for it to be allowed on the NR lines? Also, it would have looked a lot better if the whole front had been all yellow. It would have balanced the doors out more.

I quite like the rest of the livery. Although a slightly lighter shade of grey would have better highlighted the black around the windows.

All in all, better than the current designs, which I can't stand.

 

[flymo]

Well after all the waiting and anticipation I'm completely underwhelmed.

Having said that I don't quite know what I was expecting really, just it wasn't this..

Maybe it will grow on me.

 

[valenta]

Does anybody have confirmation that the metrocar has arrived back yet???
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well, I can confirm myself that it has arrive. Here's a pic taken from Allan 5819's photostream on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan5819/6220214217/sizes/l/in/photostream/

 

[142094]

Surprised that they didn't cover it over to unveil it at Hylton Street or the Depot.

Not sure what the guy in the yellow hi-viz is doing - doesn't work for DB, Nexus or Alelleys.

 

[Electrostar]

The black ends remind me of the newest DLR stock.

 

[valenta]

An excellent video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw_SmTp0AD8&feature=feedlik

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Sorry, but that is an awful look. They've been promoting the METRO Yellow all over the north east recently, now its grey and black? It looks awful...

 

[12CSVT]

An excellent video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw_SmTp0AD8&feature=feedlik

One down, 89 to go. Not sure that the residents of Hylton Street are going to like this disruption being repeated 90 times.

 

[cdonnigan]

Dont see any reason why they cant be brought back by rail. Bring them back late at night on ecml then Durham coast line. Reverse them into park lane and un couple the trains and hand them over to the battery locos to take them to the depot

 

[swt_passenger]

Surely there isn't enough yellow on the front for it to be allowed on the NR lines?

Yes there is. The group standards require a much smaller area than typically used. Most of what you see on modern units is purely to make the livery look good, and is well in excess of the figures laid down.

The requirement is just for a 1 square metre patch, and the minimum dimension is 0.6m, in which case the longer dimension would have to be 1.6m.

The minimum area can also be split into sections if a gangway is fitted.

 

[Paul_10]

Sorry, but that is an awful look. They've been promoting the METRO Yellow all over the north east recently, now its grey and black? It looks awful...

I personally think the livery suits the train well in all honesty, be interesting what it looks like this time next year though!

Looking at several youtube videos and photos, it would appear to me that the seats are a grey type, perhaps something similar to this - http://www.flickr.com/photos/coachalex1996/5565591952/

Also noticed on the videos they have removed the METRO logo on one of the ends and replaced it with a boxed M logo instead, as I said earlier I think this suits the front end better imo.

Also what is that thing above the driver cab on the A end? Is that something to do with the supposed aircon thing? Got to say it must come very close to the OHL in a few spots I would of thought.

 

[Maninblack]

Yes, thats an air conditioning unit. I think they will have measured up before fitting that unit!! Also, they have blocked the front air vent in the A cab. This air vent is on the front near the M logo. The B cab still has the air vent. It looks quite smart me thinks. Oh, and while I remember; thanks to the Metro staff for the communication and for letting us into the yard on Friday. I'll tell you what; that haulage unit had a hell of a lot of maneuverability! Great stuff!!

 

[cdonnigan]

dont like the look of the new design. I expected something different but what they have done.

 

[Paul_10]

Yes, thats an air conditioning unit. I think they will have measured up before fitting that unit!! Also, they have blocked the front air vent in the A cab. This air vent is on the front near the M logo. The B cab still has the air vent. It looks quite smart me thinks. Oh, and while I remember; thanks to the Metro staff for the communication and for letting us into the yard on Friday. I'll tell you what; that haulage unit had a hell of a lot of maneuverability! Great stuff!!

Looks a little bit ugly up there I have to say but never mind!

I also finally seen a video where you can have an okay look at the interior and it seems to be me a few seats are taken out and been replaced by what I assume is wheelchair/buggy/suitcase access which seems an improvement as its larger than where its been before. These are situated behind the first door non driver side. Where the space is now in the middle of the units have been replaced by seats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qinue7A-KcA - 40 seconds onwards if when you get the best look of the interior from what I can find.

I'm also a bit surprised by the lack of interest from DB Regio/Nexus themselves unless they are getting it fully prepared before doing an official unveiling for the media/public at St James.

 

[142094]

Yes, thats an air conditioning unit. I think they will have measured up before fitting that unit!! Also, they have blocked the front air vent in the A cab. This air vent is on the front near the M logo. The B cab still has the air vent. It looks quite smart me thinks. Oh, and while I remember; thanks to the Metro staff for the communication and for letting us into the yard on Friday. I'll tell you what; that haulage unit had a hell of a lot of maneuverability! Great stuff!!

Kinematic envelope (loading gauge) hasn't changed so it'll be nowhere near the OHL.

I'm up the depot on Thursday to have a look at it.

 

[Paul_10]

I'm up the depot on Thursday to have a look at it.

Although I highly doubt it, would you be able to take photos or not? It would be nice to have a photo of the interior and see if people are more impressed than the exterior.

 

[notadriver]

Shame they didn't get a full width cab like the new Blackpool trams have.

 

[142094]

Although I highly doubt it, would you be able to take photos or not? It would be nice to have a photo of the interior and see if people are more impressed than the exterior.

Probably not, Nexus are apparently going to release a video to show it off, although if you have a look on You Tube there are a few vids showing it going through Chillingham Road, and you could just about see the interior.

Shame they didn't get a full width cab like the new Blackpool trams have.

Drivers did want this but was a Nexus decision in the end. One of the highlights of the Metro is being able to see out the front window, so glad they have kept it.

 

[notadriver]

Agreed but modern trams have full width cabs and still have a view out the front.