Tyne and Wear Metro

[142094]

Also how come the trains between Hebburn and Pelaw did not run yesterday? I assume it was too dangerous to run trains or something with engineers near by?

I think there was a failed train as well between Pelaw and Hebburn, which was lumped in with the larger problem on the Sunderland extension. A Nexus employee I know was stuck on one of the trains which was sent back to Hebburn and everyone told to get off

On the refurbs, its been reported that 4072 was seen yesterday on the system heading through the tunnels in Newcastle towards Gateshead so the rumour that the air con was too big for the powerlines was false - Of course Huw rubbished this on the Nexus forums.

I'm not sure which eejit came up with this but they musn't realise there is something much larger on the top of the car - i.e. the pan. Although the air con unit looks hideous, it is quite clear that it fits within the former kinetic envelope before.

Surprisingly, the electrical control room that covers the section is in York.

Not totally sure but I would expect it would be at Tyneside IECC, although South Gosforth control has a direct emergency line to Tyneside. All radio comms are definitely Tyneside.

 

[Maninblack]

I noticed at about 5pm last night (Wednesday) that a train was not stopping. I wanted to see if it was a refurbished train but was persuaded to board before it passed through central towards Gateshead. Would that have been 4072? I'm getting a bit board and impatient with these refurbishments as they a taking so long!!

 

[60021]

Aye, but the Mars Bars at Heworth were worth it! And don't believe ALL you read on here. If the Not Stopping train was behind us AND it was a refurbished unit, where did it stop and how did it get back???
I rest my case, m'lud....
P.S. Just seen a refurbished elephant travelling between South Hylton and the Airport via Pelaw, South Shields, the ferry and then via Shiremoor to the Gosforth Car Sheds.I know, cos someone rumoured it!!!

 

[Maninblack]

Mars bars!! mmmmmm
But where are all these refurbished Metros?

 

[142094]

1st two refurbed Metrocars are working today between Airport and South Hylton

 

[Tramfan]

I've seen all of the Airport - South Hylton trains today at various times, and didn't see the refurbished set, so I can only assume it has been withdrawn from service at some point.

 

[Paul_10]

I've seen all of the Airport - South Hylton trains today at various times, and didn't see the refurbished set, so I can only assume it has been withdrawn from service at some point.

Yeah, according to the photo it was on TRB 110 but it must of been withdrawn as 4001 & 4060 was on that TRB - much to my dissapointment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSJFUcEqYxI&list=UU-KH1dSiLTXBPH7B0Tx5U1w&index=1&feature=plcp - Nexus video on the refurbished metrocars. I thought they would not menturn the countless problems why it took so long to get the sets refurbished and into service.

 

[142094]

Been out on the system today for work, from half 8 and I didn't see it. Shame there wasn't more publicity as well.

 

[Paul_10]

Been out on the system today for work, from half 8 and I didn't see it. Shame there wasn't more publicity as well.

The only thing I can imagine apart from the possibility of being withdrawn from service is that they just did one test run in Passenger Service hence the very early morning start and it was not planned to stay out for the whole day, I did menturn that possibility on the Nexus forums but it will be interesting what Huw will say.

Would be ashame if there are yet more problems with these refurbished sets, I think the original plans were to get these trains back in service by March 2011(although elsewhere said June 2011 I'm sure) so we are quite a bit behind to say the least.

 

[142094]

The only thing I can imagine apart from the possibility of being withdrawn from service is that they just did one test run in Passenger Service hence the very early morning start and it was not planned to stay out for the whole day, I did menturn that possibility on the Nexus forums but it will be interesting what Huw will say.

Would be ashame if there are yet more problems with these refurbished sets, I think the original plans were to get these trains back in service by March 2011(although elsewhere said June 2011 I'm sure) so we are quite a bit behind to say the least.

On the news story on the Nexus homepage, it did say that the set was supposed to be running all day, so I assume that it developed some sort of fault in the morning and was taken out of service. I'm also very disappointed that no-one was told earlier that is was going to be out (even 1 day's notice would have been good), and that the story wasn't put onto the Nexus website until late morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSJFUcEqYxI&list=UU-KH1dSiLTXBPH7B0Tx5U1w&index=1&feature=plcp - Nexus video on the refurbished metrocars. I thought they would not menturn the countless problems why it took so long to get the sets refurbished and into service.

Also note that on the video, they cannot spell liveries correctly - in fact it really should be 'new livery' seeing as there will only be one livery for the fleet.

Also, not sure what Bernard Garner was meaning as he says something along the lines of "this is what passengers will be enjoying for the next 30 years" - wonder if that is a slip of the tongue or confirmation that the current stock will be around for a lot longer?

 

[Paul_10]

Also, not sure what Bernard Garner was meaning as he says something along the lines of "this is what passengers will be enjoying for the next 30 years" - wonder if that is a slip of the tongue or confirmation that the current stock will be around for a lot longer?

I noticed this too but its a slip of the toungue as the plans(if approved, I think) is for the replacement sets to come in Phase 3 and that the current fleet is trying to be extended for another 10 or so years from this refurbishment and fleet replacement is expected around 2023-2025.

 

[142094]

I noticed this too but its a slip of the toungue as the plans(if approved, I think) is for the replacement sets to come in Phase 3 and that the current fleet is trying to be extended for another 10 or so years from this refurbishment and fleet replacement is expected around 2023-2025.

Could be a coded message for "we're not getting any more funding for a while".

 

[YorkshireBear]

Sorry i have only just caught up with this thread, it does seem slow progress what problems have they been having with the refurbed units?

Recently become familar with the system as girlfriend lives in jesmond. (spent some of last weekend on it and i dont find it a great system)

 

[Tramfan]

I believe the main issue was the discovery of more corrosion than expected when the first units were stripped down.

The first unit (4041) went down in June 2010, and at the time it was said that it would take 9 months, and I remember questions being asked as to why it was going to take so long. In the end, it has taken nearly a year longer than expected to get the first set back in service!

Hopefully the process will speed up now, as there are a number of units looking somewhat tired with faded and dented paintwork and tired interiors.

 

[valenta]

4041 and 4072 entered service today





... but were withdrawn shortly after due to a fault with the doors! :roll:

 

[blue sabre]

4041 and 4072 entered service today


... but were withdrawn shortly after due to a fault with the doors! :roll:

I saw them stopped just before South Gosforth station last night with the doors open and some of the ceiling panels removed. Full of men in orange suits so, I guess they were testing the fault. Was strange to pass a metro with the doors open between stations.

 

[Paul_10]

Interesting to hear the reason why the train WAS withdrawn from service, not a good start to life in Passenger Service then!

On a side note, I just seen a photo of 4010 and how its being allowed out in service in that condition beggers belief really.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coachalex1996/6892369379/sizes/l/in/photostream/

That looks quite un-professional really, not only 2 different shades of red can be seen but the vinyl was probably so smudged it had to be removed and now its just white. As I said on the Nexus forums, if trains are ever damaged by Etched Graffiti on the side of metrocars then surely use paint to re-paint them otherwise whenever a graffiti attack comes along then you could get results like that above.

I wonder if 4010 will be next to go for refurbishment then, I say that because you would assume it might get re-painted but look at the Metro logo, it might be my eyes but I'm sure thats the DB Regio Metro style logo being added which is interesting because the refurbished metrocars appears to have the old style logos on the side of the trains which was a bit surprising it had to be said.

 

[Kryten2340]

Interesting to hear the reason why the train WAS withdrawn from service, not a good start to life in Passenger Service then!

On a side note, I just seen a photo of 4010 and how its being allowed out in service in that condition beggers belief really.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coachalex1996/6892369379/sizes/l/in/photostream/

That looks quite un-professional really, not only 2 different shades of red can be seen but the vinyl was probably so smudged it had to be removed and now its just white. As I said on the Nexus forums, if trains are ever damaged by Etched Graffiti on the side of metrocars then surely use paint to re-paint them otherwise whenever a graffiti attack comes along then you could get results like that above.

I wonder if 4010 will be next to go for refurbishment then, I say that because you would assume it might get re-painted but look at the Metro logo, it might be my eyes but I'm sure thats the DB Regio Metro style logo being added which is interesting because the refurbished metrocars appears to have the old style logos on the side of the trains which was a bit surprising it had to be said.

I hope that wasn't a coast train as it might end up with it's windows put out when it gets to St James.

 

[Person A]

Can't understand the fuss. It was needed, so came out with a base coat on. So what ? Were the doors hanging off ? Bad brakes ? (Not that the passengers would know about that until the driver has to use the track brake)
So it's got an undercoat on.
BIG DEAL. :roll:

 

[142094]

Rather see it in service and not have delays compared to it sitting in the shed and doing nothing.

 

[Ze Random One]

yes, a little like the train yesterday morning which had some sort of fault on the front unit (probably a door fault), so the driver locked it out of use, continuing to allow the passengers on the rear unit. This caused much grumbing at stations along the line, "that's stupid, why isn't the front open?"

I, personally, much appreciated the enterprising solution, which saw the train remain in service albeit half locked out, rather than watching it speed by out of service. But apparently that alternative had not occurred to my fellow travellers.

 

[Paul_10]

Can't understand the fuss. It was needed, so came out with a base coat on. So what ? Were the doors hanging off ? Bad brakes ? (Not that the passengers would know about that until the driver has to use the track brake)
So it's got an undercoat on.
BIG DEAL. :roll:

The fact of the matter is, we have a company with all that government money and yet when you see trains looking like that, it makes the system look cheap. Coupled with the fact of the false statement of fares going up 10P instead of 20p(although 20p was originally planned admittedly), then as a taxpayer and metrouser you would expect a re-paint of a damage livery especially seeing as the livery is actually the fleet livery in the first place.

I'm not one of those who moan about realiability like some do on the FB page because I know 99% of my journeys are reliable and the problems that do occur are not always the fault of Metro but surely a job of putting red painted panels could of been done before putting back into PS.

Either way, Vinyl should not really be used as it does not go well with the stuff that removes graffiti.

 

[blue sabre]

The fact of the matter is, we have a company with all that government money and yet when you see trains looking like that, it makes the system look cheap. Coupled with the fact of the false statement of fares going up 10P instead of 20p(although 20p was originally planned admittedly), then as a taxpayer and metrouser you would expect a re-paint of a damage livery especially seeing as the livery is actually the fleet livery in the first place.

I'm not one of those who moan about realiability like some do on the FB page because I know 99% of my journeys are reliable and the problems that do occur are not always the fault of Metro but surely a job of putting red painted panels could of been done before putting back into PS.

Either way, Vinyl should not really be used as it does not go well with the stuff that removes graffiti.

It can be whatever colour it likes as long as it turns up to get me to work rather than sitting at Gosforth getting painted.
Given the state of some of the stations I think the money is being spent in the right areas. There is a full refurb program so why spend the time and money giving it a proper finish when it will be in Doncaster in a few months?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Yep and the same passenegers would actually care if it didn't turn up. Scruffy paint work doesn't bother them if they get somewhere without cancellations.

 

[Anon Mouse]

aye, me for one would rather a tatty metro turned up to get me to work on time than one being cancelled as its paintwork was poor

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I'll add my vote to those who are always pleased to see trains running and have no care for the colour scheme or state of paintwork.

 

[blue sabre]

I'll add my vote to those who are always pleased to see trains running and have no care for the colour scheme or state of paintwork.

Of course a tidy interior is well received.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Of course a tidy interior is well received.

pretty pointless if its full and standing though! But aye, a tidy interior is fine if travelling a bit further!

 

[142094]

Looks like 58 is the next one to go down to Donny, just seen it and two battery locos in formation going round the Coast
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
58 now at Hylton St, looks as if they're waiting for a refurbished one to come back.

 

[Paul_10]

Looks like 58 is the next one to go down to Donny, just seen it and two battery locos in formation going round the Coast
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
58 now at Hylton St, looks as if they're waiting for a refurbished one to come back.

So do you know which refurbished unit has come back then? It could be 4061 but only if 4046 is actually back on Tyneside but no one seems to know whether it is or not.

Apparently the 2 refurbished sets are out on the system doing the peak workings this evening according to the Facebook person, shame I missed it!

Perhaps it was just me who thought it would be better if it was re-painted again because it does look untidy to my eyes however as people say, most passengers won't notice it or care about it too much I suppose.