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Tyne and Wear Metro

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142094

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

The cost still would have been prohibitive - you'd need to install a new desk and working system to replace the old one. Plus it means two less seats during the peak!
 
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507 001

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surely it hasn't taken them 9 months to do that?
It only looks like its been repainted and had a new interior. going by the video it looks as if nothing has been done below the solebar. Its all still full of grime and brake dust?!
 

142094

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surely it hasn't taken them 9 months to do that?
It only looks like its been repainted and had a new interior. going by the video it looks as if nothing has been done below the solebar. Its all still full of grime and brake dust?!

Most of the work that has been done you can't see - the corrosion on the body panels needed to be sortd out, which has taken up the bulk of the time, plus everything had to be stripped out and put back in. First one was always going to take the longest, although it has taken longer than expected. Apparently when it starts to go full flow it should take a couple of weeks per Metrocar.
 

hacman

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Do bear in mind the structure of the cars has received a great deal of attention and correction of corroded metalwork actually took longer than expected.

Not sure if they also received any mechanical attention, although I did hear that since traction equipment was deemed to be in good order it would be left in place.

Jon
 

142094

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Do bear in mind the structure of the cars has received a great deal of attention and correction of corroded metalwork actually took longer than expected.

Not sure if they also received any mechanical attention, although I did hear that since traction equipment was deemed to be in good order it would be left in place.

Jon

Don't think the undercarriage has been touched - everything needed to overhaul this is at Gosforth.
 

Paul_10

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I wonder because it took so long to do "the bits we don't see" - they decided not to mess around the front end and keep it more or less similar than what it is now?

I also wonder when will the metrocar be out on the system to do the testing, will they wait until the 2nd train has come back and do the testing whilst they are in a pair or will they just do the testing with the solo unit? You do get the feeling that the date the refurbished unit will be in PS will be getting pushed back and back.
 

142094

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I wonder because it took so long to do "the bits we don't see" - they decided not to mess around the front end and keep it more or less similar than what it is now?

Possibly. Some of those pictures that are on SkyscraperCity show how it might have looked, although I suppose why go to the extra cost when the current design works.

Paul_10 said:
I also wonder when will the metrocar be out on the system to do the testing, will they wait until the 2nd train has come back and do the testing whilst they are in a pair or will they just do the testing with the solo unit? You do get the feeling that the date the refurbished unit will be in PS will be getting pushed back and back.

Sure it will have to be when the other one is back, to make sure they both work together. So hopefully that means the next one will be arriving soonish. Hopefully before we get any bad weather. Can't see them trying to send one up/down when it has been snowing.
 

Paul_10

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Possibly. Some of those pictures that are on
Sure it will have to be when the other one is back, to make sure they both work together. So hopefully that means the next one will be arriving soonish. Hopefully before we get any bad weather. Can't see them trying to send one up/down when it has been snowing.

Its one of the reasons I asked on the Nexus forums would you take the cars down by rail as a back up plan incase of any adversed weather conditions during the winter but they are adament to take them down by road even though it risks the project falling further behind and am I right in saying, there would be a financial cost for DB if there are delays?
 

142094

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Its one of the reasons I asked on the Nexus forums would you take the cars down by rail as a back up plan incase of any adversed weather conditions during the winter but they are adament to take them down by road even though it risks the project falling further behind and am I right in saying, there would be a financial cost for DB if there are delays?

Nexus keep telling us that the Metrocars couldn't go by rail due to the fact they would be unbraked, and would need a conversion wagon due to the couplings. I'm quite sure it would be possible to send them down by rail, but it might actually be the case it is cheaper to send it by road (when you think of access charges and the cost of hiring a loco/driver in everytime one goes down. In BR days it wouldn't have cost anything near the price it is today to send it by rail, which is why you often see FOCs such as DB putting 4/5/6/7/8 66s together for movements.

The refurbs are a 'committed obligation' for DB, and along with the quality of the stations and cleanliness of trains, I'd expect there to be a penalty for late completion. However last winter when the trains weren't running to timetable due to the snow, Nexus were lenient in the end, and didn't give out the fines like they could have. Of course if it isn't safe to move the Metrocars by road this winter, it would be very harsh to fine DB Regio because of this.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Here's a quick picture of 41 at the Depot. Had a quick look inside, but didn't take any pictures. Still some work to be done on it.

004.jpg
 
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142094

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Mainly cosmetic - you'll notice there aren't any signs or notices up yet - so they'll need to be added.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Took a trip up to Palmersville today to have a look at the new machines. Very similar to some of the Northern ones that are around, although there are two slots where the ticket is dispensed. Not sure if there is different stock for different types of ticket yet.

Front:

001-1.jpg


Back:

002-1.jpg


Looks to be exact same size as standard ticket stock on National Rail. Also has the magnetic strip, which might mean you can use it through the barriers at Central. Of course the strip will be also used when the barriers are brought in on selected stations on the nework.
 

12CSVT

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Just out of interest, how many units are at Doncaster at any one time ?
 

142094

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Don't think so. Believe the next unit is due back at the start of Nov.

That sounds a reasonable timeframe from what I've heard.

12CSVT said:
Just out of interest, how many units are at Doncaster at any one time ?

Before 4041 came back it was 4, so now there are three. Can't send too many down or it would start affecting the timetable. That is one thing that is worrying me about winter - if we have another one like last year, with possibly 3 Metrocars down at Doncaster and 'x' number out for routine maintenance, the timetable will be threatened.
 

markydh

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Looks to be exact same size as standard ticket stock on National Rail. Also has the magnetic strip, which might mean you can use it through the barriers at Central. Of course the strip will be also used when the barriers are brought in on selected stations on the nework.
AFAIK, NEXUS are actively working with East Coast to try and find a solution to the 'Central Station problem' as there have been complaints from Metro passengers about the fact toilets are inaccessible for them.
 

cdonnigan

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AFAIK, NEXUS are actively working with East Coast to try and find a solution to the 'Central Station problem' as there have been complaints from Metro passengers about the fact toilets are inaccessible for them.



the toilets are part of the mainline station though so if this was to happen it would give potential for someone to hop on a train without paying the proper fare
 

142094

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AFAIK, NEXUS are actively working with East Coast to try and find a solution to the 'Central Station problem' as there have been complaints from Metro passengers about the fact toilets are inaccessible for them.

When the barriers were first put in and activated, some of the barrier staff were refusing to let people through with valid tickets (Mainly Day Savers, happened to me once).

The problem is that Nexus can't force East Coast to let people through to use the toilets, and Nexus could face equal criticism for not providing toilets on the Metro network at certain stations.
 

cdonnigan

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Didnt there used to be a set of toilets down a corridor between burger king and the metro entrance
 

KingBBoogaloo

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AFAIK, NEXUS are actively working with East Coast to try and find a solution to the 'Central Station problem' as there have been complaints from Metro passengers about the fact toilets are inaccessible for them.

Attempting to use toilets on 3&4 when there are far more convenient facilities with in meters of the concourse is just stupid, especially when one set of toilets is in effect above the Metro concourse.
 

142094

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Didnt there used to be a set of toilets down a corridor between burger king and the metro entrance

I thought this had been closed and converted for staff use only?

EDIT - looks as this is a disabled toilet only now, and it is locked and you need a RADAR key to get in.
 
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cdonnigan

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I think they just opened them for a while last time they closed the island for some reason
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
That sounds a reasonable timeframe from what I've heard.



Before 4041 came back it was 4, so now there are three. Can't send too many down or it would start affecting the timetable. That is one thing that is worrying me about winter - if we have another one like last year, with possibly 3 Metrocars down at Doncaster and 'x' number out for routine maintenance, the timetable will be threatened.



think its something like 76 in running state to operate a peak time timetable
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
That sounds a reasonable timeframe from what I've heard.



Before 4041 came back it was 4, so now there are three. Can't send too many down or it would start affecting the timetable. That is one thing that is worrying me about winter - if we have another one like last year, with possibly 3 Metrocars down at Doncaster and 'x' number out for routine maintenance, the timetable will be threatened.



think its something like 76 in running state to operate a peak time timetable
 

DaveNewcastle

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Attempting to use toilets on 3&4 when there are far more convenient facilities with in meters of the concourse is just stupid, especially when one set of toilets is in effect above the Metro concourse.
I guess you are referring to the toilets in the bar which operates out of the former (but still architecturally beautiful) glazed-tiled ticket hall?
If so, then you are quite right. I have taken advantage of those facilities and can confirm.

However, that might not be the best solution for all of us - for example, a mother with child and pram would not want to be there while a football match is on the big screens and Newcastle's 'lads' are in full song or a slow elderly person while the girls were shrieking at their loudest. It is a busy bar doing what busy city-centre bars do; that's not going to be appropriate for many Metro passengers.
 

blue sabre

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Mainly cosmetic - you'll notice there aren't any signs or notices up yet - so they'll need to be added.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Took a trip up to Palmersville today to have a look at the new machines. Very similar to some of the Northern ones that are around, although there are two slots where the ticket is dispensed. Not sure if there is different stock for different types of ticket yet.


Looks to be exact same size as standard ticket stock on National Rail. Also has the magnetic strip, which might mean you can use it through the barriers at Central. Of course the strip will be also used when the barriers are brought in on selected stations on the nework.

Any images of the new machines knocking around anywhere? Not had a chance to get to have a nose at any.
 

Ze Random One

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the toilets are part of the mainline station though so if this was to happen it would give potential for someone to hop on a train without paying the proper fare

Yes, but it should be noted that many metro tickets are valid on Northern Rail services Newcastle - Heworth - Sunderland and v.v. (if you have the correct zones), as Northern and Nexus have a cross-honouring agreement, so the barriers (or staff) should pass any metro ticket with zones A and B or A + B + C, providing it is in date. They shouldn't swallow them either, as it would be perfectly valid to continue one's journey by metro in this case.

The ridiculous thing is that they haven't even got around to allowing the Network One passes electronically through the barriers yet -- even though those are valid on all Northern services within T&W, and are printed on APTIS size stock with an appropriate mag stripe (and always have been)
 

142094

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Any images of the new machines knocking around anywhere? Not had a chance to get to have a nose at any.

There is a video on You Tube, should be a link through the Nexus website. I'll have a look later to see if I can find it.
 

valenta

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Aye that's it. Only one on the system so far that I know of. Taken its time as well!

Took a trip to Palmersville on Saturday. Though it looked complicated at first it was fairly simple when you got the hang of it!
 
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