T+W metro major line closure

[valenta]

This ought to be fun and games for people travelling on the metro.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2013/major-line-closure-metro-27-days-august

Major Line Closure on Metro for 27 days this August

Nexus is to embark on one of the biggest and most complex modernisation projects in the history of the Tyne and Wear Metro this summer, meaning the busiest section of line will be closed for 27 consecutive days.

The multi-million pound works involve a major line closure between Haymarket, Airport and Four Lane Ends, 4-30 August. This will be the longest line closure since Metro began in 1980.

Frequent replacement bus services will be provided during the line closure, calling at or near stations on the affected route and there will be an Airport shuttle bus and extra Metro trains around the coast.

The work is a key part of the £385m Metro: all change modernisation programme, a once in a generation investment to ensure the region has a reliable Metro system for many decades to come.

Six kilometres of track will be replaced between Jesmond and South Gosforth, a section of line that sees 30,000 passengers journeys each day, 450 train movements and a service every three minutes in peak periods.
Stations will be refurbished and cable routes replaced on the line all the way up to Newcastle Airport.

 

[gordonthemoron]

how will the trains access the depot in South Gosforth?

 

[hacman]

how will the trains access the depot in South Gosforth?

Via the coast circle and the depot east junction - no work is being done beyond South Gosforth junction. This is how peak time trains are able to serve Longbenton.

Units will also likely be stabled at other locations south of Haymarket, although lets not go into detail here on where that may be for obvious reasons.

Jon

 

[HST Power]

Well I think I'll be using the car when I'm up in Newcastle!

 

[jopsuk]

not the reasoning behind the timing

The work is happening in August because schools are closed and because it is the one month of the year that sees the lowest number of Metro passengers.

Newcastle is not exactly a major summer holiday destination, and clearly their ticket sales figures show this.

 

[Paul_10]

Via the coast circle and the depot east junction - no work is being done beyond South Gosforth junction. This is how peak time trains are able to serve Longbenton.

Units will also likely be stabled at other locations south of Haymarket, although lets not go into detail here on where that may be for obvious reasons.

Jon

For the trains that are operating south of Haymarket, does this mean that they could potentially be away from the depot for nearly just under a month! I know similar has occured recently but that was only for 4 days and those trains were running less mileage then.

Although I was aware a major line closure was indeed planned, I never knew it was going to cover the whole of the Regent Centre-Airport stretch of line.

Also I assume there be no peak trains running as was the case in the last closure so potentially some unhappy morning and evening peak workers to come during August then!

 

[bluenoxid]

For the trains that are operating south of Haymarket, does this mean that they could potentially be away from the depot for nearly just under a month! I know similar has occured recently but that was only for 4 days and those trains were running less mileage then.

Although I was aware a major line closure was indeed planned, I never knew it was going to cover the whole of the Regent Centre-Airport stretch of line.

Also I assume there be no peak trains running as was the case in the last closure so potentially some unhappy morning and evening peak workers to come during August then!

There is a connection used for ECS from Jesmond to Byker but if they are setting up a route from Manor for engineering, I do wonder what the plan is.

I suppose that the area south of the river can be flooded with additional Metro trains. It is a shame that there is no connection from the Blyth and Ashingon to the northern side of the Coastal Loop. Any really heavy maintenance could be done at Heaton if a shortage kicked in?

 

[142094]

As the works cover Haymarket - Airport and Four Lane Ends, there will be no access at all to the depot for trains on the Coast loop or those south of the river, so sets will be outstabled. However, every few days there will be a break in the work to allow for trains to go back to the depot for maintenance.

No work can be done at Heaton as they do not have the expertise to deal with the Metrocars, or the facilities/materials.

There will be extra services around the Coast, but none south of the river. Also, there will be no additional peak services on weekdays.

 

[Paul_10]

As the works cover Haymarket - Airport and Four Lane Ends, there will be no access at all to the depot for trains on the Coast loop or those south of the river, so sets will be outstabled. However, every few days there will be a break in the work to allow for trains to go back to the depot for maintenance.

Interesting that apparently there be no access for trains to head back from the depot on the coast loop because from the sounds of it, the work is being done between South Gosforth and Jesmond so the eastern part of the depot will be free to transport trains in and out hence extra trains can be used on this part of the line and that Longbenton will be used during peak times.

 

[142094]

Interesting that apparently there be no access for trains to head back from the depot on the coast loop because from the sounds of it, the work is being done between South Gosforth and Jesmond so the eastern part of the depot will be free to transport trains in and out hence extra trains can be used on this part of the line and that Longbenton will be used during peak times.

What you say is correct - the bulk of the work will be between South Gosforth and Jesmond, but in practice the posession will cover a greater area, and also will include electrical isolations etc. From what I can remember there will be some trains in the peak that will be able to serve Longbenton, but I think that this will involve some single-line working between FLE and Longbenton (similar to what has been done previously at Byker and Monkseaton). As a result, there will be no access to the depot for a few days at a time, after which there will be a small window in the work being done to allow stock movements.

 

[ModernRailways]

This is one of a good reasons to build a new small depot at somewhere like South Shields, even if it is relatively small and can only do minor maintenance, like cleaning, checking doors work properly and all the small things. South Gosforth would be the main depot where trains go for heavy maintenance. Also, with trains being unable to get to the depot for a few days I can see Pelaw sidings gaining a few failed trains.

Tourists won't really use the Metro as Newcastle is fairly easy to walk around. It's only really people flying over here which would be affected. Tourist's will only really want the beaches and city/town centres all of which won't be affected.

I can only see this being a huge issue for those trying to get to/from the Airport for a holiday.

It's amazing seeing the abuse Metro have had for it though, with people complaining. I'd love Metro to come back with something like 'Well, if we don't do it you will have less chance of using the Metro on that section of line as it will be unsafe to run trains across.'

 

[142094]

A depot at South Shields was mentioned in the past, as it would mean that the last trains of the night could be kept south of the river, and trains could then run earlier the next morning. All that would be needed is a two road shed so that the sets could be cleaned and prepared for the next day.

 

[ModernRailways]

A depot at South Shields was mentioned in the past, as it would mean that the last trains of the night could be kept south of the river, and trains could then run earlier the next morning. All that would be needed is a two road shed so that the sets could be cleaned and prepared for the next day.

That's what I was thinking. Pelaw would also be a half decent location, the only issue there is that turns turn around in the sidings there and so it wouldn't be very useful. Unless they did it similar to the Bakerloo Line depot at Queens Park.

The first train for me is at 0555 on weekdays and 0600 on a Saturday. That train is always pretty busy - as in by the time it reaches my stop (Jarrow) there is someone sitting in almost every seat and I get on at the back. I, like many others, would love an earlier train at something like 0530 to get to Newcastle centre for 0600 and Sunderland for 0630 (that would also mean I can get the first Grand Central, without having to get a taxi to Felgate). I always see plenty of people getting to the station 10-15 minutes early as they are already pushed for time and so want to ensure trains are running properly, otherwise they can get the bus which leaves at 0550.

 

[hacman]

That's what I was thinking. Pelaw would also be a half decent location, the only issue there is that turns turn around in the sidings there and so it wouldn't be very useful. Unless they did it similar to the Bakerloo Line depot at Queens Park.

The first train for me is at 0555 on weekdays and 0600 on a Saturday. That train is always pretty busy - as in by the time it reaches my stop (Jarrow) there is someone sitting in almost every seat and I get on at the back. I, like many others, would love an earlier train at something like 0530 to get to Newcastle centre for 0600 and Sunderland for 0630 (that would also mean I can get the first Grand Central, without having to get a taxi to Felgate). I always see plenty of people getting to the station 10-15 minutes early as they are already pushed for time and so want to ensure trains are running properly, otherwise they can get the bus which leaves at 0550.

Even better, place it on the spare land alongside the line between Tyne Dock/Simonside and Brockley Whins...

Would make it a perfect place for keeping stock for both lines, and allow easy interchange/rerouting of services in times of disruption!

Jon

 

[Paul_10]

Unfortuantely the South Shields depot plan seems to of been quietly dropped and I doubt at this moment in time there is any plan for a depot being built, its ashame really as I'm sure passengers rather earlier trains thanks to a new depot than a refurbished South Shields station(if albeit subject to approval by South Tyneside Council I think).

Speaking of station refurbishments, its funny reading the articles that stations on the Airport line are getting "refurbished" when in reality all they are getting is an awful lick of black paint on the railings and maybe repainting the white panels. Its such a shame the station refurbishments at Howdon is not being taken on the rest of the stations but that is hardly a surprise really, was always too good to be true.

 

[bluenoxid]

A depot at South Shields was mentioned in the past, as it would mean that the last trains of the night could be kept south of the river, and trains could then run earlier the next morning. All that would be needed is a two road shed so that the sets could be cleaned and prepared for the next day.

Does it even need a two road shed. If you are only cleaning them, it could be done in the platforms.

Some hardstanding, a covered area would be good.

 

[ModernRailways]

Does it even need a two road shed. If you are only cleaning them, it could be done in the platforms.

Some hardstanding, a covered area would be good.

Since there is only one platform it would be fairly pointless. A two road shed (with minor maintenance facilities) would be great as it would also allow for failed trains to be moved easier.

 

[markydh]

South Shields will be getting a second platform as part of it's major rebuild in the next few years

 

[ModernRailways]

South Shields will be getting a second platform as part of it's major rebuild in the next few years

A station environment wouldn't exactly be a great place though for light maintenance. A small two/three road shed would allow for light maintenance and could store a Battery Loco (BL) to help with the rescue of trains. I still think Metro should have a BL kept at Pelaw during the peak periods to help move trains that may have failed quicker.

Metro needs a new depot though somewhere, even if it is small. Like I've said the amount of times I've had to stand on the first train is remarkable. I never would never have said first trains would be busy enough for people to have to stand because all the seats are taken.

I'd love a train at 5:30 so I can be in Newcastle for 5:50 which means I can catch the 0600 East Coast or other services leaving around that time. If I'm completely honest I would prefer the trains to run every 45 minutes between 23:30 and 04:00 then go to half hourly after that before kicking in to full service.

I must admire Metro though, for all trains seem to be far apart in the very early morning. In about 1 hour (by 7:15am) they are running a 15/12 minute service on my line.

 

[bluenoxid]

To be honest, would it be better if we had a decent Nightbus service based on the Metro network instead? I would be happy to pay a little bit more to get home after the last Metro if I know the bus will run.

Although earlier trains would be nice. I had to Taxi it from North Tyneside to the Airport recently because the trains just did not start early enough.

Sorry, I misunderstood some of your earlier comments. A two lane shed would be nice but with the network being small, a nice covered and warm place to "resurrect" dead units to get them back on to the network or to depot from the "back of a van", would be nice. However, once you have some form of propulsion attached, you might as well get it heading back to depot.

 

[ModernRailways]

To be honest, would it be better if we had a decent Nightbus service based on the Metro network instead? I would be happy to pay a little bit more to get home after the last Metro if I know the bus will run.

Although earlier trains would be nice. I had to Taxi it from North Tyneside to the Airport recently because the trains just did not start early enough.

Sorry, I misunderstood some of your earlier comments. A two lane shed would be nice but with the network being small, a nice covered and warm place to "resurrect" dead units to get them back on to the network or to depot from the "back of a van", would be nice. However, once you have some form of propulsion attached, you might as well get it heading back to depot.

A night bus service would probably be the best option. The 27 (Crusader) by Go North East would be great if it ran half hourly or so until 1:30, where it then goes hourly. That covers the line between Newcastle and South Shields. Then it's just a case of certain other buses.

Like mentioned in another thread, Newcastle's transport shuts down too early. The last train from the Central Station south towards Durham/Darlington is 21:45 (?) on a Saturday evening. And through the week it's at 22:35 (?). We need to more transport late at night. I remember worrying that I wouldn't make it home because my GC was delayed getting into Sunderland and so I just made the Metro at Pelaw back to South Shields.

Obviously, there is engineering work which has to take place overnight, and like the topic of this thread, this does extend to weeks of closure's instead of weekends. I personally would love Metro to shoot a documentary with the BBC showing of 'behind-the-scenes' to show just what goes into the system and how difficult it is to maintain.

I think the general consensus is a new depot needs to be built somewhere, it's just a case of where will it go (if not S. Shields) and what maintenance can it do.

 

[142094]

Very unlikely that there will be any sort of 24-hour service, as there is very little demand after 12 (plus some of those who would actually travel in the small hours are not likely to pay for a ticket and/or trash the cars), and there needs to be both engineering work and maintenace done in the small window between 1am when all the service sets are back at the depot and 4.30am when the first Metro is going back on the system.