Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[Paul_10]

Why have they done that, bloody fools getting rid of the good information in my eyes, I thought it was due to fault but honestly information like that is crucial, as is:

'Change here for trains to the coast via Wallsend from Platform 3 and St James from Platform 4'

Also for South Gosforth:

'Change here for trains to St James via The Coast from Platform 2'

I don't understand Nexus if they are taking the important information away, they've wasted money on the bloke who gave more detail and now seem to be going to the baseline basics, poor management as ever hock:

:roll:

I said it before and I say it again, I believe whenever it says "the next station is Monument" and nothing else it perhaps mean the driver has not put the route in hence I believe if you boarded the train from the start of service you will think there is no PA's on the train until you reach the next station where it will announce the stations name. I don't know why it does this but it just does but despite what people on here, they are not new announcements.

The new announcements are those male ones but nothing seems to be happening with these and whenever I been on 4038, they have been switched off.

 

[ModernRailways]

There were at least 3 running, one empty from Gosforth to Haymarket as you say, another one empty from the depot to St James and in service from there, and also one empty to Pelaw and in service from Central Station north.

The one from St James around the Coast was definitely running as I was on it after the match.

Ah, I only saw the one, I'm guessing the Pelaw train that started at Central would have been at Pelaw around 16:30 to get back into the city centre for around 16:55/17:00?

Come to think of it, I do recall seeing an extra train heading back towards Monument, but that was in service so I took it that it was probably delayed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

:roll:

I said it before and I say it again, I believe whenever it says "the next station is Monument" and nothing else it perhaps mean the driver has not put the route in hence I believe if you boarded the train from the start of service you will think there is no PA's on the train until you reach the next station where it will announce the stations name. I don't know why it does this but it just does but despite what people on here, they are not new announcements.

Central Station, Gateshead all had their usual full length, but slightly altered, announcements. It could just be a fault, but then why would the other announcements work fine?

Also, Jarrow has had 'Change here for local buses' added. So there is definitely some change happening.

The new announcements are those male ones but nothing seems to be happening with these and whenever I been on 4038, they have been switched off.

From what I've been told by Metro staff at the depot that has been scrapped because they weren't popular. 4038 only has him for the Doors Closing, the actual PA now has him removed (or so I was told by a driver) which is why 4038 cannot do the announcements.

 

[Paul_10]

The Jarrow announcement is definately different then although I never been on that part of the line for a while now, I don't ever recall hearing "change here for local bus services" for sure, I wonder if Wallsend will have that added in the future?

Well it will be interesting what will replace the male announcement then or will they keep the female announcer but with some additions? That said, the announcement regarding Monument is not "new" and that "fault" has most certainly been around since the announcements being put in.

 

[MetroCar4058]

With the woman does Nexus have access to her voice pool? If so i don't see why they don't just enhance her, much better than that man. He was a disgrace

 

[ModernRailways]

Well it will be interesting what will replace the male announcement then or will they keep the female announcer but with some additions? That said, the announcement regarding Monument is not "new" and that "fault" has most certainly been around since the announcements being put in.

From what I've heard he's been dropped in favour of keeping the women and just enhancing her previous announcements.

The one for Jarrow has definitely been updated as every other service has only said 'The next station is Jarrow'.

Huw Lewis no longer seems to post on these forums, or he may just lurk. It would be good if he came back since the Nexus forums disappeared.

 

[Scott M]

As always, Nexus haven't really done much though to prevent it! They send a road rail vehicle out in the morning but that's it and by the evening the leaves have fell and are causing chaos.

I've had two drivers speak since my little moan on here - maybe they are lurkers or even contributors?

Yeah seems they haven't done much. It's kicking in again - my metro this morning was running a bit late because of it.

And haha yeah it wouldn't surprise me if they do! I know at least one person seems to be one.

Also regarding the PA, most of the metros I have been on in the past 3 days haven't had it on. However today I was on 4049 and it had the guy making all of the station announcements, and the 'beep beep beep' to signal doors closing. Has 4049 always had the guy?

 

[MetroCar4058]

Do you know what 49 was paired with? Also is she new or old, I know there was one new set, think it was 52 what has him on but he always used to break (or be turned off) at Regent Centre

 

[Scott M]

Do you know what 49 was paired with? Also is she new or old, I know there was one new set, think it was 52 what has him on but he always used to break (or be turned off) at Regent Centre

Have to admit I didn't check what it was paired with - although it was a refurbed train so somebody on here should know.

It was working the rush hour Pelaw service, although I am not sure if it began at Monkseaton or Regent Centre. It was after a South Hylton metro and before a South Shields one if that helps.

 

[ModernRailways]

Hmm... The only train that had him was 4038 and that was unrefurbished. There was one other car which I believe was a refurb but he never worked and since there is no voice tone for the doors on refurbs it's hard to tell what trains have him and what don't. 4049 is refurbished and should just have the female, but if the leading car had him installed then the announcements would be the male in both cars (can someone confirm this (142049?)?, ta).

I certainly hope he isn't being rolled out since I've been told by two drivers and one depot staff member that he was scrapped. I was quite happy since I hate him, plus I think having the voice on a train also being the voice for every other advert on the radio is a bit silly. And whilst not meaning to be sexist here, a lot of women have a lot nicer, crisper and clearer voices which is what is needed. It's all well and good having a local person, but they need to be understandable by every passenger from Australia to Japan to Germany and that man quite simply isn't.



Also, forgot to mention but 4011 will likely be out of service for a while. Last week there was loads of smoke coming out of it and it was then removed from service. It hasn't been out since. It was exactly the same as what had happened previously, however this time there was no panic and it was just removed from service and ran NIS to Gosforth.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I think if memory serves me correct the refurbished train with the male announcements is 4052 (it's definatly a 405x but not 7/8/9) and therefore if it was leading on 49 that could explain it? When I encountered 52 with the male it was leading towards South Hylton like Scott says.

I'm sure (and hoping) the drivers are right, I mean the bloke is awful and with the changes to the woman they must have something planned for her.

 

[Paul_10]

Also, forgot to mention but 4011 will likely be out of service for a while. Last week there was loads of smoke coming out of it and it was then removed from service. It hasn't been out since. It was exactly the same as what had happened previously, however this time there was no panic and it was just removed from service and ran NIS to Gosforth.

Strange because I seen 4011 a few days ago and I was on it this morning paired with 4082 although I'm sure it was paired with another unit a few days ago. So highly doubt whatever happened, it wasnt too serious.

The only other unit I was aware of having the announcements was 4047(4064 did have them but since refurbishment, it has recieved the female announcements again) but this was with the B car leading and now this unit has the female announcements.

4049 was paired with 4037 the last time I seen it if that is any help to anyone?

 

[142094]

Hmm... The only train that had him was 4038 and that was unrefurbished. There was one other car which I believe was a refurb but he never worked and since there is no voice tone for the doors on refurbs it's hard to tell what trains have him and what don't. 4049 is refurbished and should just have the female, but if the leading car had him installed then the announcements would be the male in both cars (can someone confirm this (142049?)?, ta).

Still trying to find out what happens, after the post a while back by Paul_10. I always assumed that the automatic announcements were separate in each car, so for example if they were working in the leading car and not the rear car, then only the leading car would have them, instead of the leading car 'supplying' the announcements to the whole of the train. However, after what Paul_10 said with 4033 and the fuzzy announcements, I was on that train a few weeks later and 4033 was the leading car but the rear car still had the interference over the PA. I'll see if I can get some more information.

Went past Hylton Street yesterday and some plant material was being delivered - looked like some sort of generator and a water tank. It was being put onto a flat bed wagon so this may be a railhead treatment train for the system.

The Nexus site has been updated to show that there are problems with the points at Tynemouth and the timetable has been changed as a result. For those who don't know, one early morning train runs in service from Longbenton to Tynemouth platform 2, terminates and runs back to South Shields. Another train runs empty from the depot to Tynemouth, then starts service on another Tynemouth - South Shields run. These are normally the only two trains to use the points to the north of the station, apart from when there is engineering work. At the minute there is a problem with these points, so sounds as if trains are having to run to North Shields to use the points there.

Also interesting workings this Sunday with the engineering work between Byker and North Shields. Few years back this happened quite regularly, so trains will be running wrong-direction from Manors to Byker. Also, there will be a couple of trains that will run what probably is the shortest passenger service on the system that I know of - Manors to Byker (one whole stop).

 

[ModernRailways]

Strange because I seen 4011 a few days ago and I was on it this morning paired with 4082 although I'm sure it was paired with another unit a few days ago. So highly doubt whatever happened, it wasnt too serious.

Smoke started when we stopped at Jarrow, driver immediately detrained saying to pax 'There's a problem with the rear metrocar and so err... this train will have to go Out of Service. On behalf of Metro I do apologise for any delay incurred and err... you're next train... through towards South Shields should be around 10 minutes. *Loud Buzz beep over the PA*', she then switched cabs and wrong lined out of Jarrow. Took about 4 minutes from arrival to the train then departing wrong line. This did happen 2 or maybe even 3 weeks ago now, but kept forgetting to post about it.

It was out today in the evening peak, but this incident did happen about 2 (maybe 3) weeks ago now I only just remember about it when I posted, so a 1 / 2 week turnaround would be expected really.

Still trying to find out what happens, after the post a while back by Paul_10. I always assumed that the automatic announcements were separate in each car, so for example if they were working in the leading car and not the rear car, then only the leading car would have them, instead of the leading car 'supplying' the announcements to the whole of the train. However, after what Paul_10 said with 4033 and the fuzzy announcements, I was on that train a few weeks later and 4033 was the leading car but the rear car still had the interference over the PA. I'll see if I can get some more information.

At a guess, unrefurbished trains supply the one metrocar so if only one has them working only one will work. Refurbished trains however can have one car doing the announcements for both cars. That seems to be how it goes from my experience.

Went past Hylton Street yesterday and some plant material was being delivered - looked like some sort of generator and a water tank. It was being put onto a flat bed wagon so this may be a railhead treatment train for the system.

My wish has *hopefully* come true then :

Also interesting workings this Sunday with the engineering work between Byker and North Shields. Few years back this happened quite regularly, so trains will be running wrong-direction from Manors to Byker. Also, there will be a couple of trains that will run what probably is the shortest passenger service on the system that I know of - Manors to Byker (one whole stop).

Why can't they send trains through to St James? Or is there simply not the capacity if they still want a 15 minute service? I'm still not sure why they're even running to Byker, I would have imagined the bus replacement would be better just continuing into town.

 

[Paul_10]

At a guess, unrefurbished trains supply the one metrocar so if only one has them working only one will work. Refurbished trains however can have one car doing the announcements for both cars. That seems to be how it goes from my experience.
.

I think its the same regardless if its a refurbished car or not tbh but I'll try and observe too see if that is the case(I havant really took much note of that tbh).

Whenever the leading PA's are turned off/not working then you can find that the leading car will have nothing showing on the boards(maybe the exception of that NEXUS message at the 'A' ends) but the rear car boards working but no actual PA.

 

[hacman]

I think its the same regardless if its a refurbished car or not tbh but I'll try and observe too see if that is the case(I havant really took much note of that tbh).



Whenever the leading PA's are turned off/not working then you can find that the leading car will have nothing showing on the boards(maybe the exception of that NEXUS message at the 'A' ends) but the rear car boards working but no actual PA.

In the systems I build and maintain its usually the LED/LCD boards are driven by the unit they are on, and all audio comes from the leading cab.

This is consistent with how the Nexus system appears to work.

 

[Scott M]

So is the general consensus that the lack of PA is down to technical fault or driver error?

 

[ModernRailways]

So is the general consensus that the lack of PA is down to technical fault or driver error?

I'd say both. A driver may input it incorrectly, but there could be a problem which also doesn't enable it to work correctly.

 

[Scott M]

I'd say both. A driver may input it incorrectly, but there could be a problem which also doesn't enable it to work correctly.

Fair does!

Nightmare this morning rush hour - the 8:00 didn't turn up, and then 8:12 (which turned passengers away at Jarrow due to being full) broke down at Hebburn (door wouldn't close). -.- Never seen a platform as busy as Hebburn was - friend who gets on there said she couldn't get to a ticket machine as the crowd spilled out of the station. Took a while for failed train to leave, as people wouldn't/couldn't step back from platform edge.

There was a cool point though: when we pulled into Pelaw, there was 4 trains in Pelaw sidings (including the failed one - 4079) so all the sidings were in use, but there was also a train standing on platform 1 that had terminated at Pelaw. First time I have seen all 4 sidings in use, nevermind there also being one in platform 1 waiting for one to become free. I always wondered why they needed all 4 sidings, now I know haha.

 

[ModernRailways]

Fair does!

Nightmare this morning rush hour - the 8:00 didn't turn up, and then 8:12 (which turned passengers away at Jarrow due to being full) broke down at Hebburn (door wouldn't close). -.- Never seen a platform as busy as Hebburn was - friend who gets on there said she couldn't get to a ticket machine as the crowd spilled out of the station. Took a while for failed train to leave, as people wouldn't/couldn't step back from platform edge.

There was a cool point though: when we pulled into Pelaw, there was 4 trains in Pelaw sidings (including the failed one - 4079) so all the sidings were in use, but there was also a train standing on platform 1 that had terminated at Pelaw. First time I have seen all 4 sidings in use, nevermind there also being one in platform 1 waiting for one to become free. I always wondered why they needed all 4 sidings, now I know haha.

Yeah, the 4 sidings can get pretty chaotic at times. I believe the 4 lanes can handle around 12 Metrocars (or possibly 10) as two (or possibly one) can take extra metrocars. The last time I saw Pelaw full though was in the peak when the core route through Monument was blocked by a failed train and I remember them having to send quite a few of the Pelaw trains down towards Shields because Pelaw was full. With some of the trains from South Shields terminating at Jarrow, and some of the Pelaw trains turning back at Hebburn or in some instances Jarrow / Bede.

People not standing back doesn't surprise me! I do think most commuters have a death wish as they always seem to stand on the yellow line or in some cases in front of it. I've stood on the yellow line once and when you have a hoard of people behind you it really isn't a comfortable position. You have to have a lot of trust in the people behind you not to nudge you.

So, the 0824 would have been absolutely chaotic I would imagine then? It amazes me that Metro think the 12 minutes is a fine frequency in the peak, the South Hylton line is busy, but never as busy as the Shields line. I used to do the Shields peak trains in the morning heading into town and they were unbearable if the 0817 off JAR was 3 minutes late, and if the 0805 was a no show or was late, then that would be unbearable. Even on the odd day when the service is running to time (:P) the trains are rammed. I did decide to go over to Fellgate at the same time as I would be on the Shields train and the train was no where near as busy.

I am surprised in the AM peak there is no additional service which extends from Pelaw down to Jarrow P1, where it then heads into Bede P2 for the journey back to Newcastle. It would require a small rejig of the AM timetable, but me being me, a few months back I did actually draw up a small timetable change just to see what would happen and it worked. One additional service to Bede and it would help clear platforms, and would also be a shorter service so those at Hebburn would be less likely to be late. I recall last year lots of kids where late for college because they couldn't board the train. Now they should be leaving to get the earlier train, but then to me having drawn up my own little timetable, I thought they should still be able to get there if only there was an additional service.

 

[MetroCar4058]

To be fair, it would be much easier if they had duel lines along that way, but I assume it mustn't fit the gaps in service if they aren't running the extra service. Maybe its an issue with current or lack of willing.

It seems as if Metro are very limited South of the river with the single line works towards South Shields and the NR side of the South Hylton way.

Also has anyone had a chance to catch the new level crossings? What do they look like.

Also bit off topic but its nice to see Nexus may be taking control of the buses, it would be a great boost to our Metro interchanges and we might finally get a proper working version of the Pop Card. But we must see if the combined authority agree with the scheme when the votes are cast on the 21st.

 

[ModernRailways]

To be fair, it would be much easier if they had duel lines along that way, but I assume it mustn't fit the gaps in service if they aren't running the extra service. Maybe its an issue with current or lack of willing.

It seems as if Metro are very limited South of the river with the single line works towards South Shields and the NR side of the South Hylton way.

Also has anyone had a chance to catch the new level crossings? What do they look like.

Also bit off topic but its nice to see Nexus may be taking control of the buses, it would be a great boost to our Metro interchanges and we might finally get a proper working version of the Pop Card. But we must see if the combined authority agree with the scheme when the votes are cast on the 21st.

Double track would help, but would also be relatively pointless other than allowing more trains to run. My idea for an extra train (an ex Pelaw train extended) would have worked and as I say I actually drew up a timetable and everything for it just to see if it would work. It would be tight, but it would have allowed a 5 minute turnaround. The South Hylton line is obviously an odd one because Metro can't just send a train down unless it's been pre-arranged, for example concerts, football etc.

New level crossings? The one at KSP was exactly the same yesterday. Or do you mean down the Sunderland line in which case it would be Network Rail.

I can see the bus thingy going ahead, however I don't think it will get much further. Go North East and Stagecoach will fight and they will take it to court. It's a nice idea, but I simply don't have the trust in Nexus to run a good service. Right now, I have the 27 by Go North East, it takes 25 minutes to Gateshead from Jarrow and runs almost parallel to the Metro, with the exception that at Hebburn it goes up to Finchale Road. I imagine Nexus would remove that in favour of a more local bus that runs to the Metro. Nexus can't afford it either. Go North East last year invested more into new buses than they made in profit so overall they made a loss. The Pop Card could work right now on buses, they've had the technology for long enough and is the main reason they have ended up making their own smart cards. Nexus are to blame for the Pop card failure, it's been terribly implemented over a long period of time, it hasn't worked properly and is only now starting to get a full roll out. It was all supposed to be done between February 2011 and February 2012. A timescale I would have said was quite good, the change needed to be quick and head on so within a few months almost everyone was using Pop cards. Instead, it's taken 3 years extra just to reach the stage where we will be getting Pay-As-You-Go on Metro. A fast change would have meant people adapt and get used to it much quicker instead of repeated failures.

In all honesty, do you really want Nexus to control your local buses? And, for the record, I believe their intention is for the most part good but they are trying to much to be like TfL now, and are wanting to take on TfGM too. The TfL model is for the most part good, but their are downsides. My main problem is the North East is different to London and the bus routes we have reflect that. Anyway, the bus thing is for another time - I do believe there is a thread in the Buses section which is going into a little more detail!

 

[MetroCar4058]

Nexus are doing work on all of the level crossings, new led lighting and some new signage and lights for pedestrains, Callerton is finished and Bank Foot finishes on Friday. Each crossing is closed for a week and they are working along from Airport - just wondered if anyone saw those although I probably didn't make it too clear :P

I know not many people have faith in Nexus but to be fair, they don't have the best of assets available to them and the contracting out malarkey doesn't really help. I like the idea of us getting a london like system, it's much better than all the private operators and the profits made can be invested into the local infrastructure, be it bus lanes, metro improvements etc. anyhow as you say a little off topic :P

 

[ModernRailways]

Nexus are doing work on all of the level crossings, new led lighting and some new signage and lights for pedestrains, Callerton is finished and Bank Foot finishes on Friday. Each crossing is closed for a week and they are working along from Airport - just wondered if anyone saw those although I probably didn't make it too clear :P

Ah! May have to go and have a quick gander It's happening quite a lot were cars and pedestrians are going over the crossing when the warning lights are blaring. People don't really care, and what is needed is full barriers to come across the crossing.

I know not many people have faith in Nexus but to be fair, they don't have the best of assets available to them and the contracting out malarkey doesn't really help. I like the idea of us getting a london like system, it's much better than all the private operators and the profits made can be invested into the local infrastructure, be it bus lanes, metro improvements etc. anyhow as you say a little off topic :P

But if they don't have the best tools / assets available then surely they aren't up to running our bus services. The current system works relatively well, the only downside to what we have right now is that the bus companies will stop running a route should they make a loss out of it, which to be honest is fair enough because they're out there to make money. People somehow seem to think that if a public body takes over there is no need for profit anymore but to me there is even more need because the service would still need investment and there will likely be more loss making routes. Then there is the fact that things usually cost more when public bodies handle them.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I know i've been dying to see if they have changed much!

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/metro-bosses-bring-new-24hr-7910120
Article on the chronicle talking about low rail adhesion and explains why the Ford unit can't be used during operational hours, however I fail to understand if they have got a new vehicle or if they have just modified a locomotive, if so which one. Hopefully they are not taking one of our MetroCars away! Can't really afford to loose any, even the 4 non refurbs at the end of this year. However it might link to the equipment delivery at Hylton Yard the other day

Looks like Nexus have pulled it up a gear

 

[ModernRailways]

I know i've been dying to see if they have changed much!

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/metro-bosses-bring-new-24hr-7910120
Article on the chronicle talking about low rail adhesion and explains why the Ford unit can't be used during operational hours, however I fail to understand if they have got a new vehicle or if they have just modified a locomotive, if so which one. Hopefully they are not taking one of our MetroCars away! Can't really afford to loose any, even the 4 non refurbs at the end of this year. However it might link to the equipment delivery at Hylton Yard the other day

Looks like Nexus have pulled it up a gear

Thanks for posting! Props to Nexus and Metro for being a bit more pro-active and hopefully this will see delays drop due to the low adhesion.

I do wonder what it is, whether it be a wagon that will be attached to a Battery loco or something else. It will be nice to see some images eventually - hopefully of them spraying too.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Yeah lets hope they release some more information.

I was out and about on the network yesterday and the new level crossings are rather nice, the design of the lights is similar (probably the same) as the ones they put in at Fawdon, however these ones seem to be higher and they have a pedestrian stop man which illuminates when the crossing is armed. The lights also seem to be allot higher than the old ones and they have a new tune.

Revenue protection is obviously on the up. Staff were on at Gateshead and Monument all day and 2 out of my 4 trains had metro staff on. Who were actually needed when two scumbags attacked the back unit and then had a scuffle with the driver who then told them to 'go play with the traffic' the other set also stopped some unsavoury characters from getting on the train - metro is getting much safer!

 

[ModernRailways]

Yeah lets hope they release some more information.

I was out and about on the network yesterday and the new level crossings are rather nice, the design of the lights is similar (probably the same) as the ones they put in at Fawdon, however these ones seem to be higher and they have a pedestrian stop man which illuminates when the crossing is armed. The lights also seem to be allot higher than the old ones and they have a new tune.

Revenue protection is obviously on the up. Staff were on at Gateshead and Monument all day and 2 out of my 4 trains had metro staff on. Who were actually needed when two scumbags attacked the back unit and then had a scuffle with the driver who then told them to 'go play with the traffic' the other set also stopped some unsavoury characters from getting on the train - metro is getting much safer!

I am surprised that Nexus / Metro haven't made a big song and dance about it yet tbh I would of thought there would have been something on the Nexus site. Unless of course they're going to wait and see how effective it is before going and praising it?

CSA numbers are actually going down. I believe they are supposed to have around 90 CSAs, but they only have around 75 currently with I believe 8 or so on the sick. They're on the barriers almost all the time now, Monument is manned from around 0630 till around 2300 (with gaps when staff go on breaks / changeover), Gateshead is manned similarly (with gaps when staff are on their day off). On trains there are less CSAs because some of the roving CSAs have now become statics at stations manning the barriers, but I've noticed that they tend to stick to a small area so if you travel in that small area and get them in one direction the chances are you will see them again in the other direction.

The driver left his cab to go speak to them? Bloody risky move, but hey ho. I, for some reason, feel a lot less safe now. For example, last night I went out around 1930 and there were plenty of unpleasant people - kids swinging around on the grab poles / commuter danglers (that's my name for the handles that you hold on to that are attached to the grab rail as I never remember what they're actually called), almost every seat of four had at least one person with their feet up. I usually leave around 2215 and it's a lot more pleasant then, as I think the chavs and annoying kids are all in bed or are where they need to be so are annoying people in the streets instead with their 'Bella'.

In saying all that, the barriers are really doing their job. The amount of people I've seen at Monument who were about walk straight down but suddenly turned to go and buy a ticket is ridiculous! I was stood waiting for a friend at Monument the other day and counted around 10 different people in the space of 6 or 7 minutes who didn't have a ticket and went and bought one - and that was only the people who walked past the machines and saw the barriers were on so turned around. It makes me wonder just how much revenue was actually being lost to fare evasion!

 

[Paul_10]

I, for some reason, feel a lot less safe now. For example, last night I went out around 1930 and there were plenty of unpleasant people - kids swinging around on the grab poles / commuter danglers (that's my name for the handles that you hold on to that are attached to the grab rail as I never remember what they're actually called), almost every seat of four had at least one person with their feet up. I usually leave around 2215 and it's a lot more pleasant then, as I think the chavs and annoying kids are all in bed or are where they need to be so are annoying people in the streets instead with their 'Bella'.

I suppose it depends on what part of the system you travel on really, I think in general, the yellow line tends to get more trouble and incidents with North Shields/St James and Pelaw/South Shields probably being the worse parts where as the green line is not as bad. Although I never been on the Park Lane-South Hylton section at night, I just feel its an area where you don't really want to be at night, probably because passenger numbers are low to start off with during the day time and the system goes through mainly suburban areas. I know from years back that the section between Regent Centre and Kingston Park usually attracted your fair share of charvs, especially Wansbeck Road.

I seem to remember someone on the skyscraper forum linking an article showing a chart of which sections of line had the highest amount of crime and stations with the amount of reported incidents and I believe the highest figures did occur between North Shields/St James followed by Pelaw to South Shields with Monument being one of the stations with the most reported crime but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

On a different note, how depressing is Sunderland station with the ceiling being repaired so after all the work to modernise it and brighten the station up, whilst its not as bad as it was, it does make the station look dull again. Its been like this for well over 6 months and no signs of any change either.

 

[ModernRailways]

I suppose it depends on what part of the system you travel on really, I think in general, the yellow line tends to get more trouble and incidents with North Shields/St James and Pelaw/South Shields probably being the worse parts where as the green line is not as bad. Although I never been on the Park Lane-South Hylton section at night, I just feel its an area where you don't really want to be at night, probably because passenger numbers are low to start off with during the day time and the system goes through mainly suburban areas. I know from years back that the section between Regent Centre and Kingston Park usually attracted your fair share of charvs, especially Wansbeck Road.

I seem to remember someone on the skyscraper forum linking an article showing a chart of which sections of line had the highest amount of crime and stations with the amount of reported incidents and I believe the highest figures did occur between North Shields/St James followed by Pelaw to South Shields with Monument being one of the stations with the most reported crime but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

I saw that image too, it was one from the PTE days if I remember rightly. Tonight, around half 10 a group of chavvy lasses got on at Hebburn with a pitbull and some poor lad sitting in one of the 4 seats started getting hounded by them. They went over and sat next to him took his hat off him, started going through his bags, one of them even asked if he was going to kill himself, like what kind of sane person asks that? They were going out of their way to get at him and I could of sworn he was tearing up. I walked past him deliberately just before my stop (I usually don't bother going to the doors that let me straight out the station, unless it's the peak) and tried to tell him to get off by flicking my head / hair. I think he got the hint, as he did get off and stayed on the platform.

I think Chillingham Road all the way around The Coast until I'd probably say West Monkseaton is the worst, with South Shields to Tyne Dock / Hebburn (depending on the day) coming in at second, and then Sunderland to South Hylton in third. I remember a few weeks back there was group of CSAs on my train chatting and they were saying how they were surprised as they hadn't had any trouble at Tynemouth the whole night. I remember one of the others saying something along the lines of 'God! Why didn't I have that then?'

During the week Monday-Thursday the Metro is probably safest after 2230 tbh on a weekend that's thrown out the window though. I've started taking the bus now though as I feel a lot safer, it's cleaner and more often than not it's like having my own personal chauffeur.

I can't really blame Metro for the people that use the system, but I certainly think they could do better. Maybe having more people monitoring CCTV systems - IIRC they only have two people and those two people must also do various other things - stopping them from smoking on platforms, making sure dogs are on a lead etc. All little things to make them aware they're being watched.

On a different note, how depressing is Sunderland station with the ceiling being repaired so after all the work to modernise it and brighten the station up, whilst its not as bad as it was, it does make the station look dull again. Its been like this for well over 6 months and no signs of any change either.

About that, well erm... They didn't number the panels as they removed them so... well... erm... they can't put them back in because they don't know what order they go in, in.

 

[ModernRailways]

Here's the crime table by the way, I was wrong about it being the PTE days. It was 2010 when it was done.