Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[142094]

Might be completely wrong here, but I've always assumed that the train rolls over something on the track just before it reaches the station which triggers a message on the board of the station it's approaching and the subsequent stations along the line. This would explain why the gaps between changes on time (e.g. 5m to 4m) often vary significantly - because of he differing distances between the stations. I await my theory being blown out the water.

Works on track circuits and what is known as the Positive Train Identification system. When a driver sets up the train they enter a code for the terminus station. This sets up the route automatically and also the platform displays. Some of the track circuit blocks between stations are quite long due to a lack of signals which explains why a train can go from 5 minutes to 'Due' very quickly. However part of the problem is at terminus stations such as St. James and South Shields. Until the driver changes ends and enters the code then the platform displays at the next station (i.e. Monument plt 3 and Chichester) do not 'know' that there is a train on the way. This data will only be transferred when the driver has input the correct code and has pressed a 'Ready to Start' button. This also explains why at South Gosforth platform 1, when a train is leaving the depot for Pelaw in the peak hours, the displays will show:

South Shields 2 Min
South Hylton 8 Min

But this then can change to:

South Shields Due
Pelaw 2 Min

 

[Kryten2340]

Regarding the massive power failure last week and assuming they still have them (I learned about these when I did my work experience in the control room in 1996/97) is there a reason why they can't use the backup control rooms to keep the system running? I visited one at Manors on said work experience trip and it had a control/system board (not sure what you call them) for the immediate area. In fact I can recall control being switched from Gosforth to Manors to let me change a signal.

 

[Scott M]

Works on track circuits and what is known as the Positive Train Identification system. When a driver sets up the train they enter a code for the terminus station. This sets up the route automatically and also the platform displays. Some of the track circuit blocks between stations are quite long due to a lack of signals which explains why a train can go from 5 minutes to 'Due' very quickly. However part of the problem is at terminus stations such as St. James and South Shields. Until the driver changes ends and enters the code then the platform displays at the next station (i.e. Monument plt 3 and Chichester) do not 'know' that there is a train on the way. This data will only be transferred when the driver has input the correct code and has pressed a 'Ready to Start' button. This also explains why at South Gosforth platform 1, when a train is leaving the depot for Pelaw in the peak hours, the displays will show:

South Shields 2 Min
South Hylton 8 Min

But this then can change to:

South Shields Due
Pelaw 2 Min

Thank you for that! Nice to have it explained as is something I have been wondering about for a while now

And yeah I noticed that, I live at a station near a terminus and it doesn't tend to display that a train is coming until it is 3min away, had a feeling it might be the case that that was when the driver was entering the code.

Was at St Peter's the other day, and found it funny how a northern rail 'Not stopping service' would start on 5 min, then be down to due within about 2 minutes (obviously with it not stopping at stations).

Also, metro are recruiting drivers: http://www.nexus.org.uk/vacancies/traincrew

 

[tez thorn]

Thank you for that! Nice to have it explained as is something I have been wondering about for a while now

And yeah I noticed that, I live at a station near a terminus and it doesn't tend to display that a train is coming until it is 3min away, had a feeling it might be the case that that was when the driver was entering the code.

Was at St Peter's the other day, and found it funny how a northern rail 'Not stopping service' would start on 5 min, then be down to due within about 2 minutes (obviously with it not stopping at stations).

Also, metro are recruiting drivers: http://www.nexus.org.uk/vacancies/traincrew

you have made my day,ive wanted to be a metro driver for years,i was told they werent

recruiting for a while,so i thank you alot

 

[Scott M]

you have made my day,ive wanted to be a metro driver for years,i was told they werent

recruiting for a while,so i thank you alot

No problem.

Remember to give this thread a read if you get to the interview stage!: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29068

Good luck!

 

[MetroCar4058]

Just noticed a temporary speed limit of 32kmh between Kingston Park and Fawdon, looks like they've just done some vegetation works as all the trees are now gone

 

[Scott M]

Just noticed a temporary speed limit of 32kmh between Kingston Park and Fawdon, looks like they've just done some vegetation works as all the trees are now gone

Good. Hope they get rid of the rest of the trees too, so there won't be any trees on the line causing delays all Autumn.

 

[tez thorn]

does anyone know roughly when 4037 is due back, and could someone help me, are there 4 units down

at doncaster or 3, i know it sounds thick but i keep counting 3, but dont know if im missing one out,

currently ive got 4021,4037,4043

cheers

 

[ModernRailways]

does anyone know roughly when 4037 is due back, and could someone help me, are there 4 units down

at doncaster or 3, i know it sounds thick but i keep counting 3, but dont know if im missing one out,

currently ive got 4021,4037,4043

cheers

I believe there should be 4 units at Doncaster. Someone else will likely come along and let us know with some more concrete information.

 

[tez thorn]

i thought that myself, that wabtec could hold 4 at a time but only have seen 3 reported but im assuming

4037 will be back soon,and then the next will go away still making it 3,unless things have changed

 

[MetroCar4058]

Also has 4090 been repaired and put back into service yet?

 

[tez thorn]

i havent seen it as yet, however i did see 4028 yesterday in service paired with 4073

 

[ModernRailways]

Delays systemwide due to operational problems.

That should be read: Delays to service systemwide because we don't have enough drivers.

This is the second day, so looks like Metro really do need some drivers!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Also has 4090 been repaired and put back into service yet?

I'm sure I saw it yesterday, Not In Service, at Pelaw sidings. I could have been mistaken though as I got a shock there was something using the sidings on a Saturday.

 

[tez thorn]

found the 4th car unless it has returned since, its 4088,today i was on 4025 which had to terminate at howdon due

to a fault,as usual passengers moaned but was chatting to the driver, also i got to travel on 4036 which is paired

with 4013,i noticed its missing its unit stickers inside which indicates if its A or B end

 

[bussnapperwm]

Went on the metro today between Gateshead and Manors (via the coast route and I must say it was quite a interesting journey on some (originally built not far from up the road to me) of the new livery stock. Did the metro take over some old rail lines because I noticed some stations had (to me) platforms which were best suited to rail stations as opposed to tram stops.

 

[Scott M]

Delays systemwide due to operational problems.

That should be read: Delays to service systemwide because we don't have enough drivers.

This is the second day, so looks like Metro really do need some drivers!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Better get them before I go back to uni.

 

[142094]

Went on the metro today between Gateshead and Manors (via the coast route and I must say it was quite a interesting journey on some (originally built not far from up the road to me) of the new livery stock. Did the metro take over some old rail lines because I noticed some stations had (to me) platforms which were best suited to rail stations as opposed to tram stops.

Just about everything apart from the tunnelled sections were former BR lines. Apart from the tunnels, only a few sections between Benton and Palmersville and Tyne Dock and Chichester were not former BR passenger lines.

 

[ModernRailways]

Went on the metro today between Gateshead and Manors (via the coast route and I must say it was quite a interesting journey on some (originally built not far from up the road to me) of the new livery stock. Did the metro take over some old rail lines because I noticed some stations had (to me) platforms which were best suited to rail stations as opposed to tram stops.

A lot of the Metro, was built on the old Tyneside Electrics route. So almost all stations from West Jesmond all the way round The Coast to I believe Percy Main was part of the old network. Metro used that alignment to run their trains. South Gosforth was also the main depot for them at one point before it transferred to Metro.

And, Metro isn't a tram As much as Nexus want it to be. It's a light rail system, more similar to the London Underground Met Line / H&C Line than it is to a tram system
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just a small note. The official Nexus forum has closed. Numbers were dwindling and they were reluctant to continue supporting it. No surprises, the old forum was a lot better, however just needed more publicity, and the new forum (the one they just closed) was a terrible mess which didn't really allow for proper discussion.

Anyway, it basically means the only way to contact Nexus is behind closed doors with no public replies anymore which is a real shame!

 

[MetroCar4058]

Nexus messed up the forums and ignored most posts from users who actually had a deep question that wouldn't require the good old copy and paste answer. They also ignored things that couldn't be spun around to be blamed on the passenger.

Just noticed 'No trains running between Airport to Kingston Park due to a Police incident. Metro apologise for any inconvenience' can anyone enlighten me on what has kicked off along this end?

 

[Scott M]

Just about everything apart from the tunnelled sections were former BR lines. Apart from the tunnels, only a few sections between Benton and Palmersville and Tyne Dock and Chichester were not former BR passenger lines.

Are you sure?

I always thought the Tyne dock - Chichester portion was build on an existing line. And infact you can see a line used to run behind Chichester, and you can see where that line would have branched off just past Tyne Dock, to join the freight line that runs to Brockley Whins over the metro tunnel.

Also, see this entry from wiki:

"In the case of the Metro's Chichester station, the route of an existing mineral railway was chosen instead of the previous passenger railway alignment. This is also the oldest section of the Metro route, dating back to 1834."

 

[142094]

Are you sure?

I always thought the Tyne dock - Chichester portion was build on an existing line. And infact you can see a line used to run behind Chichester, and you can see where that line would have branched off just past Tyne Dock, to join the freight line that runs to Brockley Whins over the metro tunnel.

Also, see this entry from wiki:

"In the case of the Metro's Chichester station, the route of an existing mineral railway was chosen instead of the previous passenger railway alignment. This is also the oldest section of the Metro route, dating back to 1834."

Yes, it wasn't a former passenger line as the passenger line went via the old High Shields station.

 

[ModernRailways]

Just noticed 'No trains running between Airport to Kingston Park due to a Police incident. Metro apologise for any inconvenience' can anyone enlighten me on what has kicked off along this end?

There was a crash at Bank Foot. Not sure of full details as yet.

 

[MetroCar4058]

By crash do you mean car VS metro?

 

[ModernRailways]

By crash do you mean car VS metro?

I have no idea, whatever happened hasn't been put out to the public in any way. All I am aware about is there was a crash at Bank Foot which was the reason for service part suspension last night.

 

[142094]

4088 will be working 117 tonight.

 

[tez thorn]

when did 4088 get back

 

[Paul_10]

4088 will be working 117 tonight.

It was working a service to Pelaw last night but with the disruption from the train failure then I did not take much notice whether it was an actual peak train or a diverted train. Paired with 4071 at the moment.

Meanwhile the RAIB is now investigating the incident at Walkergate that occurred a few weeks back.

http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/140811_walkergate.cfm

The image of the sparks and arcing looks dramatic and no doubt terrifying for those on the train. The incident does sound similar to the one that occured in 2013 and other incidents that been recorded in the past by Nexus regarding the line breakers developing faults.

Its really fortunate in both incidents there has been no injuries at all and in this case it was in particular fortunate seeing as this occured whilst the train was stationary in a station.

 

[MetroCar4058]

It was working a service to Pelaw last night but with the disruption from the train failure then I did not take much notice whether it was an actual peak train or a diverted train. Paired with 4071 at the moment.

Meanwhile the RAIB is now investigating the incident at Walkergate that occurred a few weeks back.

http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/140811_walkergate.cfm

The image of the sparks and arcing looks dramatic and no doubt terrifying for those on the train. The incident does sound similar to the one that occured in 2013 and other incidents that been recorded in the past by Nexus regarding the line breakers developing faults.

Its really fortunate in both incidents there has been no injuries at all and in this case it was in particular fortunate seeing as this occured whilst the train was stationary in a station.

Very interesting stuff indeed, I read the old report quite a while ago and they don't actually know the main cause do they? Is Walkegate a station next to a substation changeover?

On another note, does North Shields have 3 platforms, I very rarely go up that end but I thought I had saw a 3rd end platform?

 

[tez thorn]

Very interesting stuff indeed, I read the old report quite a while ago and they don't actually know the main cause do they? Is Walkegate a station next to a substation changeover?

On another note, does North Shields have 3 platforms, I very rarely go up that end but I thought I had saw a 3rd end platform?

Yes, North Shields has 3 platforms, platform 3 used to house the old blue line

(North Shields-St James),then when that line got scrapped it became derilict, then on rare

occasions it did get used, then from 2010 its purpose was to hold the temporary

entrance during the modernisation of the station, which is now for pram and wheelchair

access if the lift fails, other than that it is just a siding now with rare use, as they use the

points by the bridge and terminate trains in platform 2

hope this helps

 

[Scott M]

It was working a service to Pelaw last night but with the disruption from the train failure then I did not take much notice whether it was an actual peak train or a diverted train. Paired with 4071 at the moment.

Meanwhile the RAIB is now investigating the incident at Walkergate that occurred a few weeks back.

http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/140811_walkergate.cfm

The image of the sparks and arcing looks dramatic and no doubt terrifying for those on the train. The incident does sound similar to the one that occured in 2013 and other incidents that been recorded in the past by Nexus regarding the line breakers developing faults.

Its really fortunate in both incidents there has been no injuries at all and in this case it was in particular fortunate seeing as this occured whilst the train was stationary in a station.

Wtf just seen the photo. Making me scared to use the metro, especially since that is the second time in relatively quick succession now! Wire falling on the platform... had there been someone on the platform they would have been killed.

They are lucky that they have a monopoly over the market, so people will continue to use it no matter what.