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Tyne and Wear Metro

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Paul_10

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Well the 5 figure comes from on how many units has been down in Doncaster not how many are down there at the moment. 4041, 4072, 4046 4061 and now 4082 are the 5 and if the ITA reports are correct(Huw Lewis confirmed this on the Nexus forums) then these are the 5 "prototype" units for the refurbishment for the rest of the fleet.

Also amazed at how little on the outside apperance 4046 has recieved from that photo which was taken in March when it got sent down in October(2010) time, thats nearly half a year!

Huw Lewis also menturned that the plans are that one will come up and one will go down so if anyone knows when 4046 will return, they will know which is the next unit to head down for refurbs. Glad we appear to be getting somewhere if albeit well over 6 months late.
 

Tramfan

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Also amazed at how little on the outside apperance 4046 has recieved from that photo which was taken in March when it got sent down in October(2010) time, thats nearly half a year!.

That surprised me as well when I took the pic. I was hoping to try and see a nearly completed 4041 that day, since the overhaul was originally expected to take 9 months.

Hopefully future overhauls will be done significantly quicker as promised!

Should also thank Huw Lewis, since his post on the Nexus discussion forums about another unit returning last week enabled me to dash out and get the 4072 and 4082 photos
 
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142094

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is it not possible it was in another part of the yard or even on a test run or in a different shed.

Not much of the traction testing is done in the depot - apart from brake tests on 15 road. Most of the running tests are done on the actual system (but not past Pelaw towards Sunderland).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
No doubt. But I haven't noticed the other to move much at all ! :D

According to someone I know there is a very good reason for this!
 

cdonnigan

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Testingwont be done past pelaw as you switch from gosforth control to network rail control centre in gateshead. So May not be permitted to run under network rail while under test
 

Paul_10

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They can and i'm sure they will test the refurbished metrocars on the South Shields line as you sometimes see test trains on that part of the route. In actual fact, I remember them testing the PA announcements on trains and because it said South Shields on the blinds I recall people were getting confused thinking it was in service and tried to open the doors even though there were signs saying it was a test train. In actual fact, there was a bit of old memories going on as once the train terminated at South Shields, the blinds had Airport on them which of course is a very rare sight these days apart from when testing goes on or if the South Hylton line has been disrupted where some South Hylton trains head to South Shields and terminates there at the sidings further down the line before sometime later head back in PS to Airport.

Bit of a waffling post there but the main jist of what i'm trying to say is that i'm pretty certain we will see the refurbished trains head past Pelaw on its tests but only on the South Shields line.
 

cdonnigan

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A metro was running earlier into sunderland only at 12.14 on the screens it had sunderland burdon but it was only three minutes behind the 12.11 to south hylton. Anyone any idea why they were so close together. I thought it may of been the new set on test but wasnt. Didnt get the numbers though just wondering what it was
 

Tramfan

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A metro was running earlier into sunderland only at 12.14 on the screens it had sunderland burdon but it was only three minutes behind the 12.11 to south hylton. Anyone any idea why they were so close together. I thought it may of been the new set on test but wasnt. Didnt get the numbers though just wondering what it was

There are extra trains running throughout December in the run-up to Christmas, more than likely it was one of these that you saw.

Traveline journey planner suggests one extra train per hour to Pelaw and one to Sunderland (both to and from St James) during the day.
 

valenta

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A metro was running earlier into sunderland only at 12.14 on the screens it had sunderland burdon but it was only three minutes behind the 12.11 to south hylton. Anyone any idea why they were so close together. I thought it may of been the new set on test but wasnt. Didnt get the numbers though just wondering what it was

I believe they are adding extra services because of Christmas. A similar sort of scheme was run last year if I remember rightly.
 

cdonnigan

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I believe they are adding extra services because of Christmas. A similar sort of scheme was run last year if I remember rightly.



that may explain it as it threw me. That there was such a short gap between the service.
 

142094

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Saw one of these as well - first thought there must be some problems beyond Sunderland and they were terminating short.

Also, there will be a new timetable soon for South Hylton as the Non-stopping services at Millfield are being removed.
 

142094

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New machines are in at Tyne Dock, with a nice picture of Bernard Garner to boot as well. Any bets how long they'll last before they are vandalised?

On a different forum someone noticed that the two new machines at Palmersville were not working last week. Hmm.

No sighting of the refurbed stock, will know more by the end of the week.
 

Paul_10

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Probably not very in all honesty however now you can understand why people would use the older ticket machine next to it more when there was no member of staff there by the new ticket machine despite Nexus telling us there will be. I got my ticket from another stop as I was meeting a friend at Tyne Dock so I never actually used it or attempted to have ago at it but I noticed some passengers did try to use it and some did seem to struggle what to do.

Regarding the refurb metrocars, according to the metro worker on the Tyne and Wear Metro Facebook page, we won't be seeing the new refurb units until after the New Year now. Not exactly the biggest shock but it would not surprise you if the date keeps getting put back.

On a side note, I noticed Metrocar 4070 has large white panels on the exterior of the driver cab which is a bit odd against the grey and although its probably unrelated to the refurbs it did show in daylight how much brighter the refurb interiors should be with the general white interior than the current grey interior.
 

Person A

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New machines are in at Tyne Dock, with a nice picture of Bernard Garner to boot as well. Any bets how long they'll last before they are vandalised?

On a different forum someone noticed that the two new machines at Palmersville were not working last week. Hmm.

No sighting of the refurbed stock, will know more by the end of the week.

Tyne Dock ? Does anyone use them ? I always had Tyne Dock down as one of the worst stations (if not THE worst) for fare evasion. Certainly after 5 o'clockish. :roll::p
 
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142094

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Tyne Dock ? Does anyone use them ? I always had Tyne Dock down as one of the worst stations (if not THE worst) for fare evasion. Certainly after 5 o'clockish. :roll::p

Think the Holy Trinity of North Shields, Meadow Well and Howdon take the title of worst stations for are evasion, although I bet Tyne Dock is not far behind!
 

Person A

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Think the Holy Trinity of North Shields, Meadow Well and Howdon take the title of worst stations for are evasion, although I bet Tyne Dock is not far behind!

UNholy trinity maybe !
Always remember one Sunday 5 years ago, when I had a full train it seemed, of inspectors - 4 on every set of doors ! And pulled into Chillingham rd maybe a dozen men with haversacks and some mouthing off looking at their watches (I was bang on time) And when they saw the inspectors, only a quarter of them got on ! The mouthy ones DIDN'T. Beyond gall or cheek.
As you can expect, the window came down and a few comments from me were passed on as the doors shut......
 

142094

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UNholy trinity maybe !
Always remember one Sunday 5 years ago, when I had a full train it seemed, of inspectors - 4 on every set of doors ! And pulled into Chillingham rd maybe a dozen men with haversacks and some mouthing off looking at their watches (I was bang on time) And when they saw the inspectors, only a quarter of them got on ! The mouthy ones DIDN'T. Beyond gall or cheek.
As you can expect, the window came down and a few comments from me were passed on as the doors shut......

Was going to South Shields one weekend and of course most fare dodgers with any savvy used to get off at Chichester and walk the last bit as there used to be checks at SSS for a while. Pulled into Chi to see a sea of orange - train was stopped until everyone was checked then those without tickets were taken off. Must have been a good 20 or so just on that one train without a ticket.

When NSH barriers come in I hope to see a bit less of the regulars between Howdon and North Shields, then again most of the stations between Byker and North Shields could do with barriers...
 

Person A

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When NSH barriers come in I hope to see a bit less of the regulars between Howdon and North Shields, then again most of the stations between Byker and North Shields could do with barriers...

Its a bit irritating and frustrating, to see so many fare dodgers, it seems to get significantly worse every year. Its those blokes in the 40s 50s that annoy the most. They should know better, just basically dishonest i suppose.
The company can do nothing, really. Hands tied to please the tub thumpers.
The ridiculous "rights of perpetrators" being the main problem, of course. The number of times Ive seen some thug grabbed by coppers off the train, and him bleating about "his rights".....<(
 

142094

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Its a bit irritating and frustrating, to see so many fare dodgers, it seems to get significantly worse every year. Its those blokes in the 40s 50s that annoy the most. They should know better, just basically dishonest i suppose.
The company can do nothing, really. Hands tied to please the tub thumpers.
The ridiculous "rights of perpetrators" being the main problem, of course. The number of times Ive seen some thug grabbed by coppers off the train, and him bleating about "his rights".....<(

Very rarely do I see Northumbria Police on the system these days, and they always provide a good deterrent when they're about. No doubt probably dealing with drunks in Toon on weekends.

Anyone go to the Xmas party yesterday?
 

Person A

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Very rarely do I see Northumbria Police on the system these days, and they always provide a good deterrent when they're about. No doubt probably dealing with drunks in Toon on weekends.

Anyone go to the Xmas party yesterday?

Yeah. Not me though. I bumped into a mate from work who did on the way home. Less drivers these days, more office staff I gather.
 

142094

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Yeah. Not me though. I bumped into a mate from work who did on the way home. Less drivers these days, more office staff I gather.

Aye, few people from the Depot I didn't recognise and Control staff. THink there was a few drivers along as well.
 

sprinterguy

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There's another refurbed Metrocar come back. I was sitting in The Cluny (Beneath the Ouseburn/Byker bridges) on the 23rd, and at about 4pm watched a refurb grey liveried Metrocar sandwiched between two of the little electric locos passing over the Metro viaduct making their way towards Manors. Does anybody have any idea of the identity of the Metrocar concerned?
 

Paul_10

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There's another refurbed Metrocar come back. I was sitting in The Cluny (Beneath the Ouseburn/Byker bridges) on the 23rd, and at about 4pm watched a refurb grey liveried Metrocar sandwiched between two of the little electric locos passing over the Metro viaduct making their way towards Manors. Does anybody have any idea of the identity of the Metrocar concerned?

4046? That was the 3rd metrocar that went to Doncaster and logic can only tell you it is that unit that has returned.

If one came back, theres a chance of another going down, only unit I can think of going down is 4042(Metro Radio Livery), havant seen that unit on the system for a couple a months it would seem now.

Hopefully they will be out on the system after New Year but don't bet your house on it!
 

142094

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There's another refurbed Metrocar come back. I was sitting in The Cluny (Beneath the Ouseburn/Byker bridges) on the 23rd, and at about 4pm watched a refurb grey liveried Metrocar sandwiched between two of the little electric locos passing over the Metro viaduct making their way towards Manors. Does anybody have any idea of the identity of the Metrocar concerned?

I was out on the system as well on Friday, went past North Shields at about 12. Nothing going on at Hylton Street, but I did see one of the Metro Transits waiting there (and a battery loco was running around at the east end of the depot around 1pm), so there is a very good chance it is a new one coming back.

Hopefully this means that the first two refurbs will be coming out on the system soon.
 

DaveNewcastle

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I was sitting in The Cluny (Beneath the Ouseburn/Byker bridges) . . . .
Well you could at least have said "hello"! ! ! ! !
(my office is within earshot).

Its a bit irritating and frustrating, to see so many fare dodgers, it seems to get significantly worse every year. Its those blokes in the 40s 50s that annoy the most. They should know better, just basically dishonest i suppose.
Couldn't agree more. But while I will not be an apologist for those fare evaders in their '40's and 50's', I must say its hard to walk away from a station not having the correct change in my pocket while hearing ringing in my mind the voice of someone much younger boasting about the free rail transport in Newcastle.

Very rarely do I see Northumbria Police on the system these days, and they always provide a good deterrent when they're about.
But their deterrence can merely be a displacement - I see people ascending the escalators at Central or Haymarket suddenly turn round and return to the platforms on seeing any RPI presence at the barriers - they're not as effective control as I would wish for.
]
. . . . then again most of the stations between Byker and North Shields could do with barriers...
Agreed - If they are staffed throughout the hours of operation.
 
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ralphchadkirk

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Couldn't agree more. But while I will not be an apologist for those fare evaders in their '40's and 50's', I must say its hard to walk away from a station not having the correct change in my pocket while hearing ringing in my mind the voice of someone much younger boasting about the free rail transport in Newcastle.

Although, apparently the Metro is the highest revenue generating light rail system outside of London.

Whenever I go on the Metro I'm always surprised that they have never barriered the system. Yes they might do RPI blocks - but I've never seen one (Having said that I think I've only actually seen a member of staff once in about 7 years of visiting). Hopefully this is something DB Regio will change.

As to the correct change, that can be quite annoying. Trying to find something to buy worth 1.70 when you've got a 5.00 note in Eldon Square so I've got enough to get to Hebburn can be a little difficult!
 

142094

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Although, apparently the Metro is the highest revenue generating light rail system outside of London.

Whenever I go on the Metro I'm always surprised that they have never barriered the system. Yes they might do RPI blocks - but I've never seen one (Having said that I think I've only actually seen a member of staff once in about 7 years of visiting). Hopefully this is something DB Regio will change.

As to the correct change, that can be quite annoying. Trying to find something to buy worth 1.70 when you've got a 5.00 note in Eldon Square so I've got enough to get to Hebburn can be a little difficult!

Not many people realise that all of the system was barriered when it first opened (even I thought it was only a few stations). Problem was that you could very easily hop over them.

The inspectors generally have a set list of stations where they'll do checks. Makes sense to target certain stations which are known hotspots, then do random checks on trains.
 

Paul_10

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Interesting observation today when going past the sidings between Regent Centre and the Depot, saw 4041 coupled with 4019 with the latter having Not in Service on the blinds with a TRB 146, whilst all the interior lighting was not on on 4041 so there was nothing on the blinds. Not sure if it went on the actual system though.

Its certainly was interesting and quite surprising too see as there was talk that unrefurb units and refurbished units won't be paired together in PS so maybe they were trailing them out and also the fact 4019 was paired with the 'pop' train on the morning peak services, hence the TRB number so the pairing just happened this morning.

Hopefully its a sign that we are one step closing seeing these refurbished units finally back out on the system.
 
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