Tyne & Wear Metro: Fleet Refurbishment List

[Segedunum]

I thought it wasn't OHLE (for obvious reasons) but how would Northern continue on if the signals were down But yes nice of Northern to try and hide a corporate clause, Not the first time they don't know their ticketing. I've got a free ticket sitting in my drawer because they wouldn't let me on a train at MetroCentre with my under 16 CAT as it was 'invalid'

I agree about the 'Heritage idea' If anything make them that when the Next Gen MetroCars come (If they ever do)

Your incident with your CAT and the Metrocentre sounds bizarrely similar to what happened to me back in October. The guard, before even dispatching the train, dropped her things in the back cab and marched straight towards me, telling me how CAT ''Wasn't valid, and you know it's not valid''. She wouldn't stop her stubbornness so I left the train, complained, and it the same outcome as you. Free day pass. I thought I was the only one to have encountered such an issue

Back on topic, the ''Heritage'' Metrocars sound quite interesting.

 

[MetroCar4058]

They are useless and arrogant, they really shine a bad light on the majority who do their job properly.

Just saw this on the Nexus website as their Pop Card have gone head first:

Nexus Travelshops can be found at the following Metro stations: Central Station, Gateshead, Monument, North Shields and Park Lane (in the bus station), as well as in Fowler Street, South Shields town centre.

Monument doesn't have a travel shop anymore? Its at Haymarket is it not?

 

[Tramfan]

Found this which may be of interest given that the article is from only last week and comes from MD Richard McLean

http://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/advent-calendar/metro-lighter-brighter-and-safer/

The last four trains, including the two original prototypes will be retained in their original condition and their original yellow Tyne and Wear PTE livery in order to support our operations if they are needed.

 

[ModernRailways]

Found this which may be of interest given that the article is from only last week and comes from MD Richard McLean

http://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/advent-calendar/metro-lighter-brighter-and-safer/

Thanks for sharing!


On another note, 4024 appears to have gained the male announcements (although I'm not sure if it's had them on for a while now).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Monument doesn't have a travel shop anymore? Its at Haymarket is it not?

Correct, they decided to close Monument and instead just put big massive advertising boards up instead of making it into something useful - even if it is just another path way round towards Eldon Square entrance for the time being until something more concrete was done.

 

[MetroCar4058]

So the website was wrong for the passenger info. To be honest Monument is the heart of the Metro and therefore Haymarket should have closed (There is probably a clause with the owner of the structure saying they need to keep it open)

I wonder why Nexus are going so slow if they are reintroducing this bloke, luckily 4036 came back without him today which was nice indeed. I hope they send him packing on a Blueline taxi for good.

 

[tez thorn]

4036 has been back a while from donny now,unless its been out of service, but i swear it was paired with

4029 a couple of weeks ago, i noted its A/B stickers being missing a while back,the light thing is new

though

 

[142094]

4027 is still at the depot awaiting spare parts for a wheel change.

 

[MetroCar4058]

See for me putting the 4 units into the disgusting PTA livery is a waste. From my calculations we will still require 86% of the fleet when we have the full compliment so even a basic refresh with new floor and seats would help. As it seems likely they will remain in active service. The PTA livery is just disgusting to say the least.

Does anyone know if nexus ever fixed the old tamper/adhesion train? I've saw some people messing around with her a few days ago but I've only seen it out of the sidings once in the last few month.

 

[142094]

IIRC 4036 did not have the stickers on when it came up, for some unknown reason.

 

[Paul_10]

See for me putting the 4 units into the disgusting PTA livery is a waste. From my calculations we will still require 86% of the fleet when we have the full compliment so even a basic refresh with new floor and seats would help. As it seems likely they will remain in active service. The PTA livery is just disgusting to say the least.

Does anyone know if nexus ever fixed the old tamper/adhesion train? I've saw some people messing around with her a few days ago but I've only seen it out of the sidings once in the last few month.

PTA Livery? I'm assuming you mean the original PTE livery which imo is not disgusting at all, will always have fond memories of units in that livery from my younger days! Besides, I think you mis-read what was said, it implied the units will be kept in their original condition(i.e 4002 will retain its advert livery) including 4001 which is in the original livery. They are being kept incase they are needed, I really don't know when will that be in all honesty, in a cold winter period if there are units out of service? Either way, better enjoy whatever rides you can get out of the prototypes soon because we may not see them much more after that!

Regarding 4036, I noticed above one end on the exterior side of the train near the driver's door that there was no fleet number.

 

[ModernRailways]

IIRC 4036 did not have the stickers on when it came up, for some unknown reason.

Maybe Nexus can't afford the stickers on these final few cars? It was either refurbish the train with no stickers, or don't refurbish it at all


I should probably note, for all you pedants out there, that this post isn't meant to be serious.

 

[tez thorn]

lol you just know its still probably gonna spark an arguement, got say i have memories of the PTE livery

and when it was pretty much being extinguished(except 4001 and 4002) in the mid life refurbishment it

was a nice surprise when one turned up,looked nice when old (and then) new were paired together,still

disappointed they slapped that livery on 4002, a different note, i was thinking the other day if anyone

knows what colour the advertisement liveries were before they had adverts on, i.e 4045,4048 etc,just out

of curiosity

 

[Lm2606]

On the refurbished units what does DIC mean (Sticker located next to the articulation inside the unit)

 

[ModernRailways]

On the refurbished units what does DIC mean (Sticker located next to the articulation inside the unit)

It's also on unrefurbished units.

It's Door Isolation Controls. You should find them next to most doors, it basically allows the driver to know where the isolation switches are if a pair of doors decided to pack in.

 

[Lm2606]

It's also on unrefurbished units.

It's Door Isolation Controls. You should find them next to most doors, it basically allows the driver to know where the isolation switches are if a pair of doors decided to pack in.

I thought they were located above the doors underneath the map?

 

[Paul_10]

I thought they were located above the doors underneath the map?

I believe they are located underneath the 2 single seats behind the drivers cab/the single seat by the doors and for the middle doors they are located in one of the 3 middle single seats. Someone can correct me if i'm wrong though.

 

[ModernRailways]

I believe they are located underneath the 2 single seats behind the drivers cab/the single seat by the doors and for the middle doors they are located in one of the 3 middle single seats. Someone can correct me if i'm wrong though.

You are pretty much correct Although I think some units have it in a different location.

 

[142094]

They are all in the same location on all trains.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Saw this on the Facebook page, people like that do anger me (Lets hope its not one of our regulars lol )

'They've been retro-fitted with new interiors/exteriors but the machinery itself is old which is why they keep breaking down/going for repairs. I don't know what their motives are behind this but it looks like they're going to run these current Metro trams until the wheels come off.

They have a massive fleet and replacing them with new models would be a multi-million pound investment and the Metro just isn't as profitable (it's ran as a public service) as the Metro systems in places like Glasgow, Manchester or London so it'll be years before we see a new (or second-hand, younger) models.'

(I understand parts of his moan are very valid)

I really wish people knew their stuff before commenting, I'm sure Metro makes cash, it runs trains and its certainly a better system than what Glasgow has! If they bothered their backsides to understand simple economics and read the Metro 2030 strategy they'd see that Metro isn't a total farse like they portray it to be. Infact its the opposite, even if Nexus couldn't organise a party in a brewery.

Also on the note of PTE and that malarkey, what is the role of the NECA, any views on it from when it replaced the TWITA.

 

[ModernRailways]

Saw this on the Facebook page, people like that do anger me (Lets hope its not one of our regulars lol )

'They've been retro-fitted with new interiors/exteriors but the machinery itself is old which is why they keep breaking down/going for repairs. I don't know what their motives are behind this but it looks like they're going to run these current Metro trams until the wheels come off.

They have a massive fleet and replacing them with new models would be a multi-million pound investment and the Metro just isn't as profitable (it's ran as a public service) as the Metro systems in places like Glasgow, Manchester or London so it'll be years before we see a new (or second-hand, younger) models.'

(I understand parts of his moan are very valid)

I really wish people knew their stuff before commenting, I'm sure Metro makes cash, it runs trains and its certainly a better system than what Glasgow has! If they bothered their backsides to understand simple economics and read the Metro 2030 strategy they'd see that Metro isn't a total farse like they portray it to be. Infact its the opposite, even if Nexus couldn't organise a party in a brewery.

Also on the note of PTE and that malarkey, what is the role of the NECA, any views on it from when it replaced the TWITA.

Metro made a profit for the first time in quite a while last year, but it will be interesting to see this years results!

Metro 2030 whilst it looks good, it for the most part isn't. Current stock will be on their last legs (if they haven't already lost them ) and the routes they propose are rather silly too. Trams aren't needed, and to me (and most others) Metro needs to remain a light rail system and not become a tram system. Trams wouldn't cope with passenger demand and don't last as long as trains do. Passenger demand is rising and it will only get larger as time goes on, Metro need to plan for this with longer trains, not trams.


Also, whilst on this topic there is a rumour that DB Regio TW aren't going to be trying to get the Metro contract again when it comes up in 2016 (or maybe 2018? I keep forgetting). Apparently, this is simply down to too many failings and that Nexus aren't helping DB get the best from the system (possibly by loosening the chains attached?). As I say this should be treated with a pinch of salt but some of it does appear to ring true.

 

[MetroCar4058]

I think Metro 2030 is a deeper document than we see. Its designed to cover every possibly as displayed by the different types of train operation and signal systems. I 100% agree about the trains, and lets face it, we probably will have the same route and NG MetroCars in 2030 as the tram replacing the trains will probably be unfeasible especially with their growth predictions.

Regarding the routes, I agree there too. My view is stop tarting on with cheap options using trams and look where the real growth can go. Personally I think the 1980s let us down and that the large cost of tunnelling from St James down to Westerhope or even just the West Road was a fantastic development missed. I personally think that sort of development would be worth the massive price tag in terms of patronage and improving the congestion issues within our city.

The other route that I think we need is Washington, but then again Metro would be rather big. We can't rely on National Rail operations so sharing the Leamside with them in my view isn't good for paths and all that jazz. Washington to me would be a struggle, it would require tunnelling and well planned routes to maximise the balance between cost and patronage. Personally I think Airport to Pelaw via Sunderland and Washington.

Sorry for all the wishful thinking, I don't really like speculating but I feel those 2 routes are ones Nexus should pursue, not all this lardy dardy tram rubbish along those routes. I understand the reasons being cheap and therefore more likely to gain funding but this is a train network, not a tramway. Backwards steps.

Regarding DB, that would not surprise me one bit. Its a shame because I think they have done a good job with Metro. Once we get back to a period of stability consisting of a full fleet and most of the infrastructure works being completed I think our reliability will improve.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh talking of Trams
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/south-tyneside-council-presses-plans-8396890


Linking to my earlier point, I read in the meaning 2030 document that the St James tunnels can't be used due to buildings, could it be Science Central?

 

[Paul_10]

The whole system is off apart from the Sunderland line because of a power supply problem affecting large parts of North Tyneside. At least this did not occur during the peak hours!

Nothing Metro can do about it but sadly at times like this it does become chotic and its frustrating that replacement buses are very rarely sauced. Pre DB Regio days, you would normally get your independent bus operators taking over whenever the metro down but as DB given the contract to Go North East and Arriva then this hardly happens presumingly down to lack of resources. Personally don't think its fair for normal bus passengers have their journey slowed down and sometimes turn quite crowded from the influx of metro passengers. Something really needs to be done about it.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Although I sympathise with the passengers involved, it's not feasible. Firstly these events are rare and are due to acts of God, I mean today was the National Grids fault. It is physically impossible to have buses waiting to replace metro on such a scale and even if they could afford to have a replacement bus fleet available, it is actually safer to not put the service on as providing a weak, say 20 minutely service is likely to be overcrowded which will anger people at the likes of Jesmond or Manors who then have no service they can get on. In terms of safety that applies more to reduced metro as it increases crush risk.

After 2008 companies tightened their belts so it probably isn't DBs fault that there is never a replacement bus service on short notice.

 

[14xxDave]

I must admit I'm lucky, if the system is off or so clogged to make it a nightmare then I use Northern Rail's service from Central to Heworth and vice versa, but then I can. Doesn't help others elsewhere on the system.

D.

 

[ModernRailways]

I must admit I'm lucky, if the system is off or so clogged to make it a nightmare then I use Northern Rail's service from Central to Heworth and vice versa, but then I can. Doesn't help others elsewhere on the system.

D.

I'm relatively lucky too in a way as I know which buses to get, and know roughly how long it will take me. Obviously if I'm on the train when it happened - a lady I was speaking too said the train stopped between Regent Centre and Wansbeck Road and they were just sat their for about an hour and a half - then there's not much use, but if something happens and we're in a station I know which buses I can take. It's why I change at Haymarket instead of changing at South Gosforth as Haymarket tells me when the Airport train will be and I can then make a decision based off of that whether or not to get the bus.

Most people don't have a clue what to do when the Metro is off, and just expect someone to help them when they get to their station. I have a relatively long journey too, whereas most people just have their journey to/from Newcastle and so surely finding out which bus to get shouldn't be a hard task. It takes 5 minutes to check and then you know for the future.

 

[tez thorn]

i think passengers at wallsend were lucky, the train barely got out the station,so they could still get off,

it was literally the 1st door not at the platform, it seemed afterwards that buses were more frequent there

during the incident(except the 18),dunno if it was just me

 

[Paul_10]

Obviously you can't help with what happened today(double whammy of first the power failure then not long afterwards a major signalling failure that occured in the city centre) but I do think for times like this where the system(or parts of the system in some cases) are likely to be suspended for a while, I don't understand for the life of me why there is rarely bus replacements on offer. Having no bus replacement causes normal buses to get overly busy, its a nuisence to bus operators, unfair on normal bus passengers and all it does is delay these services. And in some cases because communcation has not reached all bus drivers, some don't accept metro tickets.

I also don't buy Metrocar4058's reason at all, until April 2010, whenever there was an unplanned disruption, there was a bus replacement on offer which was run by Independent operators in the region. Since DB took over, the contract was awarded to Go North East/Arriva but whenever there is unplanned disruption, because these operators are likely to have few or no buses/drivers spare, we have a 3rd world situation where everyone has to cram onto a service bus to finally get to their destination.

Of course in an extreme case like today it would be hard to have a bus replacement for the whole system but I just feel surely there has got to be an better alternative whenever parts of the system is disrupted and is likely to be disrupted for a while. The only saving grace is that the system was not off during the rush hour because that would be an awful lot of fun for sure.

Edit: What was the reasoning behind central station being closed for longer? When i went past it, all seemed normal on the platforms at least yet at Monument, it was quite dull as there was only limited lighting on there yet that was open.

 

[14xxDave]

I must admit, the two times I've had to use the local bus (57) to get to work when Metro has been dead I have been lucky that it started fairly locally, maybe 10 stops before it got to us and got on but after that the driver couldn't allow anyone else on....the buses are busy anyway let alone try and pile on the displaced Metro travellers.

 

[ModernRailways]

Obviously you can't help with what happened today(double whammy of first the power failure then not long afterwards a major signalling failure that occured in the city centre) but I do think for times like this where the system(or parts of the system in some cases) are likely to be suspended for a while, I don't understand for the life of me why there is rarely bus replacements on offer. Having no bus replacement causes normal buses to get overly busy, its a nuisence to bus operators, unfair on normal bus passengers and all it does is delay these services. And in some cases because communcation has not reached all bus drivers, some don't accept metro tickets.

I also don't buy Metrocar4058's reason at all, until April 2010, whenever there was an unplanned disruption, there was a bus replacement on offer which was run by Independent operators in the region. Since DB took over, the contract was awarded to Go North East/Arriva but whenever there is unplanned disruption, because these operators are likely to have few or no buses/drivers spare, we have a 3rd world situation where everyone has to cram onto a service bus to finally get to their destination.

Of course in an extreme case like today it would be hard to have a bus replacement for the whole system but I just feel surely there has got to be an better alternative whenever parts of the system is disrupted and is likely to be disrupted for a while. The only saving grace is that the system was not off during the rush hour because that would be an awful lot of fun for sure.

Edit: What was the reasoning behind central station being closed for longer? When i went past it, all seemed normal on the platforms at least yet at Monument, it was quite dull as there was only limited lighting on there yet that was open.

Bus replacements would be hard to source and if anything it's better for the bus companies to strengthen their services that will take Metro passengers than it is for them to run both their normal services as well as bus replacement. I noticed the Stagecoach X47 was running with a lot more buses on than usual - with two of them being Nexus branded buses. The Go North East Service 27 was also running with double deckers and a strengthened service with a bus every 10 minutes running in pairs. Just my thoughts but to me strengthened normal services are better than running normal buses (which would have been accepting tickets) as well as Metro replacements. Maybe Metro replacements should be Express buses serving Newcastle-Regent Centre-Kingston Park-Airport, and Newcastle-Four Lane Ends-Northumberland Park-Whitley Bay-Wallsend-Byker-Newcastle. The buses south of Newcastle (towards South Shields/Hylton) tend for the most part to cope, usually you just can't get on the first bus that shows.

I believe Central Station was kept closed to allow for crowd control. From what I heard they wanted to try to thin people out by telling them to go up to Monument/Haymarket.

 

[Paul_10]

Bus replacements would be hard to source and if anything it's better for the bus companies to strengthen their services that will take Metro passengers than it is for them to run both their normal services as well as bus replacement. I noticed the Stagecoach X47 was running with a lot more buses on than usual - with two of them being Nexus branded buses. The Go North East Service 27 was also running with double deckers and a strengthened service with a bus every 10 minutes running in pairs. Just my thoughts but to me strengthened normal services are better than running normal buses (which would have been accepting tickets) as well as Metro replacements. Maybe Metro replacements should be Express buses serving Newcastle-Regent Centre-Kingston Park-Airport, and Newcastle-Four Lane Ends-Northumberland Park-Whitley Bay-Wallsend-Byker-Newcastle. The buses south of Newcastle (towards South Shields/Hylton) tend for the most part to cope, usually you just can't get on the first bus that shows.

I believe Central Station was kept closed to allow for crowd control. From what I heard they wanted to try to thin people out by telling them to go up to Monument/Haymarket.

Get Independent operators too operate them if the buses and drivers can be sourced and have them running at least through the main core of the route at least.

Too me why should normal bus passengers be delayed at times like this or can't board a bus because its full with mainly metro passengers? Its not a good situation seeing people having to wait for the next bus because the one they wanted to get on is full. Also what about those metro stations that are not near a suitable bus? I can think of Brockley Whins as an example, you have to travel all the way to Boldon ASDA to get a bus that goes to Newcastle. Surely when they know this will be an disruption that will last a good while, an alternative plan should be put in place?

It would of been interesting too see what would of been done if this occured during the peak.