Tyne and Wear Metro

[Paul_10]

According to Coachalex(I know :roll, apparently DB has gone over budget regarding the metrocar refurbs and that they only have enough to refurbish 64 units in Doncaster whilst the rest of them will be refurbished at Gosforth Depot.

I think I have read that DB has been over budget for quite a few things but is the situation really this bad? I guess considering how slow projects seems to be going like train refurbs, station refurbs(central is not getting refurbished this summer as originally planned and even the approved West Jesmond/South Gosforth refurbs are held back until Autumn at least).

It seems to me since they took over the system, it has been nothing but a disaster financial wise and you can now get the sence why there were opposition of DB taking over/privatising the metro.

 

[142094]

Not how DB will have gone overbudget seeing as the money is coming from Nexus - in fact I was told recently that the only project that has not gone overbudget is the 3/4 life refurbishments, with all the other projects which are directly being worked on by Nexus (i.e North Shields, the outer suburban stations and the major line closures) are all overburdget. Have a look at the ITA documents.

Setting aside the fact that Coach Alex has been proven to be a sporadic liar (strong word I know but its use is justified), Gosforth depot does not have the capability or space to handle something like what is going down at Doncaster. When the last refurbishment was done, it was at the Top Shed, which is now solely for the use of Nexus Rail track workers. Gosforth can only handle the heavy maintenance of the fleet, not a refurbishment.

Out of interest Paul, where has he said this?
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EDIT: Just seen it on You Tube.

 

[hacman]

Not to mention the fact that Wabtec have entered into a contract to do ALL the work.

Mr Thorkildsen is an interesting person to say the least... I do wonder why he feels the need to make this kind of thing up.

 

[Paul_10]

I can only assume its his "friends" from Metro that probably tell him these things and he is passing it on, I can't see why he would make these things up for the sake of it?

I was aware there was quite a lot of projects over budget but could not remember if the metrocar refurbishment was included or not, I would of thought it could of been due to all the problems we have been facing.

And on a side note, I noticed 4072 had a small graffiti tag yesterday, be interesting if the livery is affected by the stuff they remove it with - hopefully not!

 

[142094]

I can only assume its his "friends" from Metro that probably tell him these things and he is passing it on, I can't see why he would make these things up for the sake of it?

From what I can tell, most of the people he talks to are drivers. With the greatest respect to the drivers, they are not that involved with the 3/4 life refurbishment project, so most of what will filter down is gossip and hearsay, which is probably what is being passed on to him. Plus he does have a track record for making things up, such as when he was apparently doing work experience for DB, which was of course untrue.

 

[hacman]

From what I can tell, most of the people he talks to are drivers. With the greatest respect to the drivers, they are not that involved with the 3/4 life refurbishment project, so most of what will filter down is gossip and hearsay, which is probably what is being passed on to him. Plus he does have a track record for making things up, such as when he was apparently doing work experience for DB, which was of course untrue.

Makes sense I suppose. Still doesn't really explain the other stuff he's said.

Back on topic, the refurbs do seem to be going better now - saw a total of 6 cars in one journey the other day, all in passenger service.

Also - Does anyone on here know why the decision was taken to install a mechanical door tone for when the doors open, but not for when they close?

Jon

 

[danielnez1]

I was on the Metro on Thursday when it was suspended. We were waiting at Jesmond when we could hear water gushing down the lift shaft, I managed to grab a snap of the lift as we were leaving the station.

 

[goldsmithb]

Just though I'd put some photo's of Thursday's Storm
They feature from South Gosforth Metro, Jesmond Subway, West Jesmond Subway, Some Traffic and Metros' stopped on the line.

 

[Stats]

I guess considering how slow projects seems to be going like train refurbs, station refurbs(central is not getting refurbished this summer as originally planned

Central is not being refurbished this year because Nexus took the decision to postpone it because of the planned Network Rail development work of the main station and Council led development of the public realm around the station and to revisit the plans for the Metro station in light of these developments to compliment those plans. It has nothing to do with any funding issues.

 

[142094]

Last time I was at the subway at West Jesmond, it looked as if it needed a damn good clean and tidy up. So at least part of that has been done.
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Hard to believe that only one week ago, the whole system was suspended.

 

[alan1962]

From what I can tell, most of the people he talks to are drivers. With the greatest respect to the drivers, they are not that involved with the 3/4 life refurbishment project, so most of what will filter down is gossip and hearsay, which is probably what is being passed on to him. Plus he does have a track record for making things up, such as when he was apparently doing work experience for DB, which was of course untrue.

I think you'll find the Drivers won't talk to him because of the trouble he caused last year. He claims to have a "Friend" in Nexus house who passes on the info and gets him Depot visits.

 

[142094]

I think you'll find the Drivers won't talk to him because of the trouble he caused last year. He claims to have a "Friend" in Nexus house who passes on the info and gets him Depot visits.

Aye probably should have phrased it better - rather he talks to drivers, but the drivers don't necessarily talk back to him.

Nexus House don't have a great amount to do with the refurbs, too busy going overbudget on the other projects that they are actually co-ordinating.

 

[Clip]

And on a side note, I noticed 4072 had a small graffiti tag yesterday, be interesting if the livery is affected by the stuff they remove it with - hopefully not!

Fingers crossed they used a product like Chelaguard or similar which makes it much easier to remove. I know the B92 DLR fleet had this applied when they got refreshed this year.

 

[Kryten2340]

Confirmation now on the Nexus forums that Gosforth junction will be closed for 9 days with weekend closures either side.

A generic question in the operations at South Gosforth. Will they terminate trains at platform 2 and use the siding to reverse or will they just use the one platform using the crossover to head southwards.

To me I would say its logical to just use the one platform as the driver will have to reverse there anyway to get into the siding if it was to be used.

Interesting point about over 5 million trains have used the junction since the Metro began.

 

[flymo]

Interesting point about over 5 million trains have used the junction since the Metro began.

It's already been replaced though at least once hasn't it ??

 

[142094]

A couple of years back it was closed for a weekend, although not sure if they could have replaced it all in that length of time.

Had confirmation that there are currently 6 refurbished cars out on the system, i.e. 3 full sets running around. Also note there was a story in the Chronicle last night, with people living next to Hylton Street yard in North Shields complaining about the noise and the movement of Metrocars to Doncaster. TBH I can understand the noise at night, when the possessions are on, but moving a Metrocar means the road is closed for about 20 minutes, which isn't exactly long to wait.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Rumours on the Facebook group that someone has been hit at Wallsend.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Shows you that the Facebook group isn't reliable - person slipped off the platform onto the track and is currently in hospital, according to the Chronicle.

 

[alan1962]

Shows you that the Facebook group isn't reliable - person slipped off the platform onto the track and is currently in hospital, according to the Chronicle.[/QUOTE] He definately jumped, he ended up with minor facial injuries but the main thing is that the Driver is ok and back at work.

 

[142094]

Aye I heard about it the other day, very lucky but apparently driver saw him on the ramp and slowed down before it actually happened.

 

[Kryten2340]

Been a while since there's been any discussion on this thread so I thought I would bring this up.

It's been a bad week so far for failures. Going from memory and what I've seen on the Facebook page there's been a couple of train failures, a signal failure, a overhead line failure on the Sunderland line and an overhead line failure tonight at South Gosforth. I'm assuming there was also a train failure on Monday morning as I was kicked off a Regent Centre train for it to be re-routed to the coast.

It makes me wonder are DB Regio performing well under their contract and will they lose it when it comes up for retender. Admittedly I'm taking a wild stab in the dark here as I don't know what they are responsible for and I didn't use the metro every day before they won the contract.

What are people's thoughts?

 

[142094]

Think in most cases a lot of the failures that are mentioned on the Facebook group, beforehand no-one would have known about, or very few people anyway. Since they are now announced each time it happens, it makes it appear that it is happening more frequently, when it has probably stayed the same. Looking at the punctuality figures, they've remained broadly consistent over the past few years, and of course this would go down rapidly if more and more trains were failing.

Probably doesn't help if you get on a service that terminates short, such as at Regent Centre - they are usually the first victim in order to restore service.

 

[Paul_10]

Even so, that is an awful lot of faults to occur in the last week but this is why the system is being upgraded and passengers need to realise that all the line closures we will have at the moment and in the next 7-9 years or so is for a more realiable system, or thats the theory! Must admit, I seem to get lucky and seem to avoid all these incidents when I'm on the system but in one way, it would be nice to get caught up in some disruption just too see how it gets handled etc.

In terms of the refurbishments, has anyone seen 4022 in service yet? As far as I'm aware, 4074 and 4049 are in Doncaster at the moment however a few more may be down there as I have not seen a fair number of units in recent times - havant seen 4015, 4087 and 4090 on the system for a good while now, may just be luck but it would not surprise me if one or two of those I menturned are in Doncaster at the moment.

 

[Kryten2340]

4041 just failed at Regent Centre. Looks like the doors as they were letting people off through the drivers cab.

Think this project is becoming an embarrassment now.

 

[Person A]

....but the main thing is that the Driver is ok and back at work.

Its rare the public think about the driver in such cases. Speaking as a driver, I can tell you when you have an incident like this, it can effect you for months.

 

[Tramfan]

havant seen 4015, 4087 and 4090 on the system for a good while now, may just be luck but it would not surprise me if one or two of those I menturned are in Doncaster at the moment.

I'd not seen those 3 in a while either, but I noticed 4015 parked up at the west end of Gosforth depot the other day, still in red livery.

 

[Paul_10]

I'd not seen those 3 in a while either, but I noticed 4015 parked up at the west end of Gosforth depot the other day, still in red livery.

I was on 4015 today what I assumed it was its first time in service for a while as it was paired with 4026 but that unit was paired with 4016 just the day before plus you can also tell with how clean and shiny the floor was.

No real visual observations to report though apart from some white paint next to the driver door that is used to make sure the door is clicked into place(you see some drivers putting there foot on it sometimes).

In terms of 4087, I have not seen that since it developed a fault and that was nearly 2 months ago, and I can't remember the last time I seen 4090 so hopefully one or both of these units are in Doncaster for refurbishements.

Any news on that Steve and Karen's metro radio livery that supposed to have the winners face printed onto a metrocar? All seem to of gone very quiet on that front.

 

[Kryten2340]

Looks like the South Gosforth junction closure is imminent as the weekend preparation closures are now on the list of upcoming works. From Sep 29th there will be weekend closures between Haymarket and Regent Centre/Four Lane Ends. There will also be no trains until midday between Regent Centre and Airport on 30th September.

 

[Stats]

Nexus have now announced the 6 day line closure between South Gosforth and Regent Centre/Benton for replacement of the Junction.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2012/metros-busiest-route-close-six-days

 

[Paul_10]

I did seen that post on Facebook earlier but now it appears to of been deleted, but it would go to some way of making sence why failures have appeared to of increased, not that many passengers would understand mind you.

Bit surprised to hear 6 cars are in Doncaster, signs of DB wanting to push the refurbishments on so they don't get fined if it goes beyond the Dec 2015 deadline? I can only assume and hope they sent quite a few down before the line closure thus before the severe weather we had at the start of August because if not, why have they send so many down if there are other trains out of service because of the floods?

A little guessing game but I'm going to guess(although some I know for certain are in Doncaster) that 4049, 4053, 4074, 4087 and 4090 are in Doncaster at the moment which leaves one more train in question.

The 3 units that needs major replacement of parts could well be 4012 and 4044 and possibly 4015 although that unit is now back on the system. 4012 and 4044 failed when paired together in the August floods as i seen them with their pantograph's down at Pelaw Sidings the next day and later on in the day being rescued to the depot by 2 other units.

It will be an interesting couple of months or so too see if any of those units I menturned have been refurbished and whether or not 4012/44 will be back on the system or have been sent down to Doncaster.

Goodness knows what will happen if we experience a snowy winter!

 

[Maninblack]

Has anybody thought of putting a time lapse camera to film the progress of a Metro referbishment. I think this would be quite interesting!!:roll:

 

[Tramfan]

Metrocar 4090 returned from Doncaster today, and 4074 returned last week. Not sure if any more have gone down since 4049.