Tyne & Wear Metro Fleet Replacement: Awarded to Stadler

[RyanT15]

555042 entered service replacing T122 (555001) what was withdrawn due to anti-social behaviour. 36/46 now.

 

[D1537]

4024+4068 briefly appeared late on Sunday on the additional T162.

Very unlikely to be any Metrocars out for the next three days, due to the engineering work reducing the number of diagrams.

 

[RyanT15]

555045 has entered service today operating T134

 

[thenorthern]

Earlier today I rode the new Metro trains for the first time. They were nice trains but in my opinion they didn't have the same charm as the old metrocars had. They just felt like a generic suburban train and felt just like a normal suburban train and not a light rail system.

One thing I did notice while wiile waiting for the metro that there were heat hazes above the trains. Is there any reason for this? I assume it's got something to do with the brakes. I noticed it on more than 1 train.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Earlier today I rode the new Metro trains for the first time. They were nice trains but in my opinion they didn't have the same charm as the old metrocars had. They just felt like a generic suburban train and felt just like a normal suburban train and not a light rail system.

One thing I did notice while wiile waiting for the metro that there were heat hazes above the trains. Is there any reason for this? I assume it's got something to do with the brakes. I noticed it on more than 1 train.

My guess would be the air-conditioning removing heat from the air in side.

 

[Prime586]

One thing I did notice while wiile waiting for the metro that there were heat hazes above the trains. Is there any reason for this? I assume it's got something to do with the brakes. I noticed it on more than 1 train.

The 777s do this as well. The Stadler METRO design has the aircon packs and braking resistor grids mounted on the roof.

 

[390Trains]

555029 entered service this morning running T106.

 

[AWCook]

I know there's a couple of errors in here but don't know where! I have the following 555s still to enter service:

022/3/4/5/6/33/36/43/44/46.

Judging by earlier posts, a couple of these must be in service - which ones?

 

[390Trains]

which ones

In service:

• 555033
• 555036

Completed their mileage accumulation, not entered service:

• 555022
• 555023
• 555024
• 555025
• 555043
• 555044

Yet to do their daytime mileage accumulation:

• 555026
• 555046

I'm not sure if either 555026 or 555046 have been out on nighttime testing yet. They've got quite a backlog of units that have done their mileage accumulation but not been cleared into service, so I can't imagine either 555026 or 555046 will be seen on daytime tests until they've cleared (or reduced) this backlog.

 

[AWCook]

In service:

• 555033
• 555036

Completed their mileage accumulation, not entered service:

• 555022
• 555023
• 555024
• 555025
• 555043
• 555044

Yet to do their daytime mileage accumulation:

• 555026
• 555046

I'm not sure if either 555026 or 555046 have been out on nighttime testing yet. They've got quite a backlog of units that have done their mileage accumulation but not been cleared into service, so I can't imagine either 555026 or 555046 will be seen on daytime tests until they've cleared (or reduced) this backlog.

Lovely, thanks.

 

[Wallsendmag]

From a post on Linkedin I believe all overnight testing has been completed.

 

[ModernRailways]

Confirmation that all services should now 555 operated, this coming week there will be an additional diagram with the final runs for the original fleet.

Also confirmation that we will finally be getting a 10 minute timetable, though no mention of the peak extras has me a wee bit worried that we won’t see them return.

Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyne-wear-metro-new-timetable-34154163

Tyne and Wear Metro trains will become more frequent from this winter, it has been confirmed. Starting this December, passengers will be able to expect a Metro service at least once every 10 minutes.

Currently, stations outside the central Newcastle and Gateshead area of the Metro network should have a train arriving in either direction every 12 minutes. But a new timetable to be introduced in December 2026 will increase that frequency from five to six trains per hour during the weekday daytime, from roughly 6.30am to 6.30pm.

That also means there will be 12 trains an hour each way through the central Metro section where the Yellow and Green lines join up. Announcing the change, North East mayor Kim McGuinness said she wanted the Metro to be a service “which local people can be proud of once again”.

It comes as the last of the Metro’s old fleet of trains prepare to make their final passenger journeys this week, after more than four decades serving the people of Tyne and Wear. The uplift in the Metro timetable has long been planned as part of the move to the network’s new fleet of trains, with all 46 of the modern Stadler models scheduled to be in use by the end of this year.

The timetable change on December 13 will arrive in time for the busy run-up to Christmas. Bosses also hope that it will help deal with increased demand for public transport ahead of the opening of the new HMRC Pilgrim’s Quarter offices in Newcastle city centre, which will soon be home to roughly 9,000 workers once it opens in 2027.

The mayor’s office has also pledged that the rollout of digital Pop cards to all smartphones will finally be completed later this year, after years of only working on Android and not iPhones. Ms McGuinness had previously called on Metro operator Nexus to increase train frequency to a minimum 10-minute service at rush hour by the end of 2026, when she ordered last December that all of the old trains had to be decommissioned by summer this year.

The Labour mayor said today: “I promised passengers a more reliable, safer and more affordable Metro which local people can be proud of once again. Now we are delivering on that promise – we’ve made sure the last of the old trains are gone by summer and so now I can confirm that from December there will be more frequent trains too.

“From this week passengers can expect to travel on a new train every time they travel by Metro, and that means a reliable journey and a safer one thanks to the brighter open-plan layout and the 44 cameras the driver can view on every train. But that’s just the start.

“A train every 10 minutes throughout the daytime means Metro will be more convenient, with more space for passengers and shorter waits at stations. We’re transforming Metro with more trains on time, more passengers on board, and more affordable travel thanks to the Mayor’s Fares capped at £2.50 however far you go.

“At the same time Nexus is taking action to continue to make Metro safer, improve stations, replace outdated signals and build the first new Metro line for 30 years, extending the system to Washington. We are spending millions to deliver world class public transport for local people.”

The Metro’s original Class 599 trains have clocked up a combined half a billion kilometres and 1.7 billion customer journeys since entering service in August 1980. An old train will run on both the Yellow and Green Metro lines from 9.30am to 5.30pm throughout this coming week, up until the early evening of Friday, June 26.

While Nexus says there could be an “occasional” sighting on an old carriage after that date, this is the last week that passengers will be guaranteed to be able to step on an old train.

 

[Ze Random One]

Realtimetrains.co.uk showing the new Metro times. It appears that (at least at Sunderland) the 10 minute frequency will be approx 0630-1900, and the last train from Newcastle looks to be 15 minutes later. Obviously it is early days yet and things may change. 15 Dec 2026 TW Metro at SUN

 

[D1537]

Trains were supposed to be terminating at Brockley Whins today, but Network Rail put a spanner in those works by isolating the OHLE from Pelaw Junction. Apparently the first train (T109) got to Pelaw Junction, got a red, and the signaller instructed the driver to switch to battery for the rest of the journey. This isn't something that should be happening (the batteries are for rescue purposes, not general running). The driver checked with Stadler who agreed but but since the train was already at the junction signal T109 did go to Brockley Whins and back on the battery (quite slowly, of course - it lost about 30 mins). Trains are now terminating at Pelaw.

So it appears that Network Rail assumed the 555s could do Pelaw Jc to Brockley Whins on battery ... clearly they didn't check with Nexus or Stadler!

 

[390Trains]

by isolating the OHLE from Pelaw Junction

Do you happen to know the sections that the OHLE is broken into? Is it possible that on subsequent weekends, Network Rail could choose to keep the power on between Pelaw and Brockley Whins while doing work in the Sunderland area?

 

[D1537]

Do you happen to know the sections that the OHLE is broken into? Is it possible that on subsequent weekends, Network Rail could choose to keep the power on between Pelaw and Brockley Whins while doing work in the Sunderland area?

I believe it's something like this, but I could well be wrong...

South Hylton-Park Lane (Pallion Substation)
Park Lane-St Peters (Sunderland)
St Peters-Brockley Whins (?)
Brockley Whins-Pelaw (Pelaw)

 

[MichaelDono]

How does DC work in terms of isolations? There are no neutral sections as on AC but presumably you need some section gaps, or equivalent?

 

[tez thorn]

I get time needs to move on and the old trains were exactly that (old), but im not sold on the new trains, i just travelled from Four Lane Ends- North Shields and had to do it in 2 sections
555013 turned up first i only managed to last until Palmersville it was too hot and the AC didn't seem to be doing anything so i had to bail for some fresh air
555038 was my next train, same as before really but the AC seemed to be a bit better on that one, seats aren't comfortable, and they could do with some safety grab straps, especially when you get inconsiderate people who won't move, the acceleration is certainly enough to turn your stomach for sure, which poses a question, mainly to the older folk, were the Metrocars the same (acceleration wise) when they were new?

 

[Magrar]

the acceleration is certainly enough to turn your stomach for sure, which poses a question, mainly to the older folk, were the Metrocars the same (acceleration wise) when they were new?

Well, to be fair, it's only going to be them who will remember!

Far more nuaseating is being able to see down the full length of a five car vehicle, seeng it yaw, pitch and even roll, as it navigates a heavy rail alignment at subway rapidity.

 

[Tramfan]

555044 has entered service today on 127

 

[Paul_10]

I get time needs to move on and the old trains were exactly that (old), but im not sold on the new trains, i just travelled from Four Lane Ends- North Shields and had to do it in 2 sections
555013 turned up first i only managed to last until Palmersville it was too hot and the AC didn't seem to be doing anything so i had to bail for some fresh air
555038 was my next train, same as before really but the AC seemed to be a bit better on that one, seats aren't comfortable, and they could do with some safety grab straps, especially when you get inconsiderate people who won't move, the acceleration is certainly enough to turn your stomach for sure, which poses a question, mainly to the older folk, were the Metrocars the same (acceleration wise) when they were new?

I have noticed on my last visit up there that some of the 555s felt a bit on the warm side and the weather was average at best, one advantage with the metrocars was the open windows so even if you were on a warm metrocar, you know as soon as it moves the air would be blowing around and in tunnel sections whilst it be noisy, it would be a relief to experience the cooler air.

The seats are poor though, not too fussed on the comfort side as most people's journeys will be less than 20-30 mins but the lack of space between them, makes you wonder why that was pass as being acceptable to be honest.

 

[Tramfan]

555043 has also just entered service, on 125

 

[800001]

555043 has also just entered service, on 125

Two in one day! They feeling ok?

How many now left to enter service?

 

[Tramfan]

Two in one day! They feeling ok?

How many now left to enter service?

I think it's just 6 to go (022, 023, 024, 025, 026, and 046).

 

[800001]

I think it's just 6 to go (022, 023, 024, 025, 026, and 046).

Getting closer to completion then. They do seem to take an age, when some were delivered on October and November.

 

[RyanT15]

Two in one day! They feeling ok?

How many now left to enter service?

Replaced 2 failed trains. 555044 replaced 555013
555043 replaced 555029

 

[800001]

Replaced 2 failed trains. 555044 replaced 555013
555043 replaced 555029

Pleased I got 029 this afternoon before it got withdrawn from service.
It was one of the last 4 I needed, of which I managed to get them all today

 

[inais20]

The seats are poor though, not too fussed on the comfort side as most people's journeys will be less than 20-30 mins but the lack of space between them, makes you wonder why that was pass as being acceptable to be honest.

The “closeness” of the seats is regularly mentioned but they feel more or less the same as you’d get on a bus. Perhaps the old seats were just overly generous!

 

[MetroTyler]

The “closeness” of the seats is regularly mentioned but they feel more or less the same as you’d get on a bus. Perhaps the old seats were just overly generous!

I disagree. Bus seats generally only have transverse (mostly forward-facing) pairs of two like the Metrocars did meaning that even if their space is limited, the passenger closest to the centre will be able to have their arm past the left of the seat meaning there is technically a little bit more space than they would otherwise suggest. You are also only forced next to one passenger which is much less uncomfortable than being squashed between two.

Personally, I think the only feasible "fix" of sorts is to remove the armrests and convert the seating to benches like on Stadler's own Glasgow G3 stock to allow passengers to decide their own space requirements and make best use of, in particular, the longer bays of seating. Not sure where you could then move the USBs to though

 

[Jmore]

On 555043 tonight and I never realised that the new units are able to have fully automatic door operation
Has any other 555 been using it as it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it on these units
I have a video but unfortunately it’s too large to attach