Tyne and Wear Metro Sidings

[Kris28]

Do the sidings by Manors Station ever get used? Passed them many many times over the past 20years but I can't remember them ever being used

 

[swt_passenger]

Do the sidings by Manors Station ever get used? Passed them many many times over the past 20years but I can't remember them ever being used

I think it’s many years since they were used to stable anything overnight, I believe vandalism put paid to that, but IIRC last time this was discussed it was said they get used in the early morning during service startup to hold a couple of empty trains that then commence public service westbound through Manors. Not sure if that is still done though.

 

[Tramfan]

I think it’s many years since they were used to stable anything overnight, I believe vandalism put paid to that, but IIRC last time this was discussed it was said they get used in the early morning during service startup to hold a couple of empty trains that then commence public service westbound through Manors. Not sure if that is still done though.

Trains that run empty to St James to begin service now normally run out of service from Howdon Depot since that was built

 

[Class142sbad]

I've heard there have been problems with these sidings in regards to vandalism. @swt_passenger sums it up perfectly.

 

[swt_passenger]

Trains that run empty to St James to begin service now normally run out of service from Howdon Depot since that was built

That’s interesting thanks, I was remembering a discussion that must have been well before Howdon was even thought of!

 

[MPR]

Still used, but only occasionally for out of course working.

I've only been in once in the last year.

 

[Volvictof]

Used for out of course stuff and football specials to get from Gosforth depot to come into service at St James generally.

 

[DanNCL]

I've heard there have been problems with these sidings in regards to vandalism. @swt_passenger sums it up perfectly.

All of Metro’s stabling locations have issues with vandalism. Gosforth, Howdon and South Shields are where possible used to stable all trains because of the permanent security presence at those locations. Where that isn't possible first preference then moves to stabling in the tunnels under Newcastle. When that also isn't possible that's when Stoddart Street and Pelaw see use for stabling.

 

[Kris28]

I would of thought with the location it wouldn't be that easy to graffiti trains. But obviously it is a major problem. Thanks for the replies

 

[Sbahn4]

in tunnels under newcastle? there are no sidings in the tunnels under newcastle.

 

[Volvictof]

in tunnels under newcastle? there are no sidings in the tunnels under newcastle.

They stable in the stations when service has finished.

 

[Sbahn4]

do they? since when?

 

[DanNCL]

in tunnels under newcastle? there are no sidings in the tunnels under newcastle.

They stable in the stations when service has finished.

Permitted stabling locations in the tunnels are as follows:
Jesmond - 1 train (2 Metrocars) in P1
Haymarket - 2 trains (4 Metrocars) each in P1 and P2, 1 train (2 Metrocars) in P1 arrival tunnel.
Monument - 1 train (2 Metrocars) each in P1/P2/P3/P4, 1 train (2 Metrocars) in P3 arrival tunnel, 1 train (2 Metrocars) in P4 arrival tunnel.
Manors - 1 train (2 Metrocars) in P2.
St James - 1 train (2 Metrocars) each in P1 and P2, 1 train (2 Metrocars) each in overrun tunnels.
Stabling is not permitted at Central Station or Gateshead, nor in P2 at Jesmond or P1 at Manors.

do they? since when?

It's only ever been a backup option. Until 2019 it was first choice for stabling should access to Gosforth not be possible. Since the opening of Howdon Depot and the Nexus Learning Centre, those both now come ahead of the tunnels for emergency stabling. Stabling in the tunnels remains preferred to stabling above ground outside of the three depot locations, and preferred outright to any stabling on Network Rail infrastructure.

 

[Darandio]

in tunnels under newcastle? there are no sidings in the tunnels under newcastle.

There isn't a suggestion in the thread that there are.

 

[Trestrol]

Also stabling in the Tunnels overnight in cold weather means they have trains to run a service the following day. Rather than the air systems being frozen solid because someone thought it was a good idea to demolish the stabling Shed at 52J.

 

[hacman]

The sidings at Stoddart St would have been more likely to see use if the blue line still ran, and a space was needed to store/prep trains near the city centre without having to take trains all the way from Gosforth via the curve, and I believe a combination of that plus storage space for when the fleet was being delivered was originally why they were constructed.

These days having a small yard there is not really all that useful apart from when there are events in the city centre; though lately, Nexus doesn't necessarily have enough trains to run a service that is increased such that extra trains wouldn't be able to just use St James and the over-run tunnels.

With the need to cut costs, I'm quite surprised the sidings were not targeted for reduction or even removal, especially when those at Benton were removed to the same end.