Tyne & Wear Metro Fleet Replacement: Awarded to Stadler

[zwk500]

A highly trained member of the Network Rail VSTP team will of created the path, using there many years of experience.

If it's this schedule we're talking about https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R70820/2025-05-28/detailed that's not VSTP, it's been planned in by QMK.

To calm @Class15's fears, the reversal at Harringay Park Jn will be taking place on the curve to Hornsey, not on the actual GOBLIN, because there is no signal for it. The stop at Upper Holloway does get rather close to the train behind it with only a 2.5min reoccupation but presumably the planner is trying to fit into the gap at Gospel Oak. I do find it interesting that all other stops are correctly marked as pathing or reversing stops other than the westbound stop at Upper Holloway, so the 4 minutes there may be an operational requirement.

 

[pazanate]

It's usually T111 and T133 in the Bank Holiday Monday timetables that have been running as of late.

Good to know, thought it had something to do with the Bank Holiday!

 

[800001]

If it's this schedule we're talking about https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R70820/2025-05-28/detailed that's not VSTP, it's been planned in by QMK.

To calm @Class15's fears, the reversal at Harringay Park Jn will be taking place on the curve to Hornsey, not on the actual GOBLIN, because there is no signal for it. The stop at Upper Holloway does get rather close to the train behind it with only a 2.5min reoccupation but presumably the planner is trying to fit into the gap at Gospel Oak. I do find it interesting that all other stops are correctly marked as pathing or reversing stops other than the westbound stop at Upper Holloway, so the 4 minutes there may be an operational requirement.

What is QMK if I may ask?

 

[Tramfan]

What is QMK if I may ask?

The Quadrant, Milton Keynes, where the Network Rail planners are based

 

[800001]

The Quadrant, Milton Keynes, where the Network Rail planners are based

Thank you

 

[Class15]

If it's this schedule we're talking about https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R70820/2025-05-28/detailed that's not VSTP, it's been planned in by QMK.

To calm @Class15's fears, the reversal at Harringay Park Jn will be taking place on the curve to Hornsey, not on the actual GOBLIN, because there is no signal for it. The stop at Upper Holloway does get rather close to the train behind it with only a 2.5min reoccupation but presumably the planner is trying to fit into the gap at Gospel Oak. I do find it interesting that all other stops are correctly marked as pathing or reversing stops other than the westbound stop at Upper Holloway, so the 4 minutes there may be an operational requirement.

Thank you very much @zwk500 . I completely forgot that you could reverse on the Harringay curve, my apologies. The Upper Holloway stop confused me because normally freight is booked to be held at Signal 1306 nearer Gospel Oak, but it’s the same in principle so it makes sense.

Again, thank you and my apologies for misinterpreting the data.

 

[rg177]

555s in operation on T102, T104, T108, T121 and T123 today.

555011 555007 is on T121, 555006 on T104. Apologies for the earlier duff gen - 555011 will be on T188 which sits directly in front of T121!

 

[WillA12]

Is T125 a 555 today?

 

[rg177]

Is T125 a 555 today?

As is detailed in my post above yours, it isn't.

 

[CL395]

Does anyone have the times for T108?

 

[rg177]

Does anyone have the times for T108?

All running boards here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/trb_working_timetable_for_the_de_2#incoming-2878669

There has been a timetable change in line with the National Rail timetable change but it was very minor - so these remain almost entirely correct.

 

[P156KWJ]

If it's this schedule we're talking about https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R70820/2025-05-28/detailed that's not VSTP, it's been planned in by QMK.

To calm @Class15's fears, the reversal at Harringay Park Jn will be taking place on the curve to Hornsey, not on the actual GOBLIN, because there is no signal for it. The stop at Upper Holloway does get rather close to the train behind it with only a 2.5min reoccupation but presumably the planner is trying to fit into the gap at Gospel Oak. I do find it interesting that all other stops are correctly marked as pathing or reversing stops other than the westbound stop at Upper Holloway, so the 4 minutes there may be an operational requirement.

I planned this schedule (along with the other upcoming 555 stuff this week, which then subsequently gets validated by QMK).

The reversal is indeed on the curve, followed by a stop at Upper Holloway for a driver change.

To clarify a few things:

Class 20s will be as far as Wembley. They will hitch a lift on the rear of the consist as far as Lincoln where they will disappear back home.

Some considerable changes to this delivery in terms of how the plan has been structured. This is partly in an effort to reduce the vandalism risk. Unfortunately someone has already got to one of the new units while on the continent already!

Surrounding paths will appear, most likely during tomorrow.

 

[jh64]

Some considerable changes to this delivery in terms of how the plan has been structured. This is partly in an effort to reduce the vandalism risk. Unfortunately someone has already got to one of the new units while on the continent already!

Speaking as someone with little-to-no knowledge of what would be involved in such an endeavour; is it beyond practicality to have a couple of professional Scary Looking Buggers With A Big Stick guarding the units while sat in any sidings or wherever they're getting tagged? I assume the price of hiring Scary Looking Buggers and any extra insurance etc needed to have them on board a dead unit being dragged outweighs the cost of cleaning the paint off on arrival.

 

[Class15]

I planned this schedule (along with the other upcoming 555 stuff this week, which then subsequently gets validated by QMK).

The reversal is indeed on the curve, followed by a stop at Upper Holloway for a driver change.

To clarify a few things:

Class 20s will be as far as Wembley. They will hitch a lift on the rear of the consist as far as Lincoln where they will disappear back home.

Some considerable changes to this delivery in terms of how the plan has been structured. This is partly in an effort to reduce the vandalism risk. Unfortunately someone has already got to one of the new units while on the continent already!

Surrounding paths will appear, most likely during tomorrow.

…in which case I apologise fully. Shows my ignorance when it comes to planning a timetable!

 

[rg177]

T102, T121, T123 are 555s today.

 

[ExRes]

I planned this schedule (along with the other upcoming 555 stuff this week, which then subsequently gets validated by QMK).

The reversal is indeed on the curve, followed by a stop at Upper Holloway for a driver change.

To clarify a few things:

Class 20s will be as far as Wembley. They will hitch a lift on the rear of the consist as far as Lincoln where they will disappear back home.

Some considerable changes to this delivery in terms of how the plan has been structured. This is partly in an effort to reduce the vandalism risk. Unfortunately someone has already got to one of the new units while on the continent already!

Surrounding paths will appear, most likely during tomorrow.

Thanks for the info @P156KWJ I thought, hopefully, that this would mean no future 'paint me while I pose' sessions at Latchmere Jct, sadly I'm proved totally wrong by the schedule that has appeared on RTT this morning for tonights 2110 6Q23 Dollands Moor Sidings to Wembley Receptions 1-7 which has a nice 68 minute stay there, if it's correct I have to ask why? it's just an open invitation to the vandals

 

[DanNCL]

We’ve had a bumpy few days with the 555s. 555028 caused issues on Sunday, it failed having to be dumped in Pelaw sidings, then whilst being recovered to Gosforth by 555006 the consist failed again in the tunnels which led to a service suspension, perfectly timed to cause disruption for those going home from the Newcastle match.

Yesterday also wasn’t good for the units with both 555006 and 555007 being pulled with faults, the diagram for the former remaining uncovered for several hours afterwards.

I wonder what the MTIN is for these units, can’t imagine it’s much better than the Metrocars at the moment…

Thanks for the info @P156KWJ I thought, hopefully, that this would mean no future 'paint me while I pose' sessions at Latchmere Jct, sadly I'm proved totally wrong by the schedule that has appeared on RTT this morning for tonights 2110 6Q23 Dollands Moor Sidings to Wembley Receptions 1-7 which has a nice 68 minute stay there, if it's correct I have to ask why? it's just an open invitation to the vandals

As much as I agree about Latchmere Junction, I can also see that the timetable are in a difficult position here. Unless you can run non stop from Dollands Moor to Pelaw which is simply not possible, you’re going to have to make stops in places that leave a window open for vandals.

 

[Paul_10]

We’ve had a bumpy few days with the 555s. 555028 caused issues on Sunday, it failed having to be dumped in Pelaw sidings, then whilst being recovered to Gosforth by 555006 the consist failed again in the tunnels which led to a service suspension, perfectly timed to cause disruption for those going home from the Newcastle match.

Yesterday also wasn’t good for the units with both 555006 and 555007 being pulled with faults, the diagram for the former remaining uncovered for several hours afterwards.

Looks like the classic case of the more recent 555s suffering reliability issues which can of course happen when they are more fresh being put into service.

Probably be more concerning if it was 555020/021 that were suffering faults for example.

 

[P156KWJ]

Speaking as someone with little-to-no knowledge of what would be involved in such an endeavour; is it beyond practicality to have a couple of professional Scary Looking Buggers With A Big Stick guarding the units while sat in any sidings or wherever they're getting tagged? I assume the price of hiring Scary Looking Buggers and any extra insurance etc needed to have them on board a dead unit being dragged outweighs the cost of cleaning the paint off on arrival.

Thanks for the info @P156KWJ I thought, hopefully, that this would mean no future 'paint me while I pose' sessions at Latchmere Jct, sadly I'm proved totally wrong by the schedule that has appeared on RTT this morning for tonights 2110 6Q23 Dollands Moor Sidings to Wembley Receptions 1-7 which has a nice 68 minute stay there, if it's correct I have to ask why? it's just an open invitation to the vandals

A 'rock and hard place' situation, as we need to clear a possession near Factory Junction before it begins, but also due to gauging issues need to travel wrong road along the West London, which means waiting a long time for a suitable gap at times. Very challenging set of circumstances with all out of gauge workings, but these are particularly complex.

It's something that is an absolute last resort on these deliveries to leave a train like a sitting duck, but it just isn't always possible unfortunately.

 

[CL395]

T104 running as a pair of metrocars currently

 

[rg177]

Looks like the classic case of the more recent 555s suffering reliability issues which can of course happen when they are more fresh being put into service.

555006's issue was as simple as the windscreen wiper had some bother just as the rain started on heavy. Just some rather poor timing!

 

[ExRes]

A 'rock and hard place' situation, as we need to clear a possession near Factory Junction before it begins, but also due to gauging issues need to travel wrong road along the West London, which means waiting a long time for a suitable gap at times. Very challenging set of circumstances with all out of gauge workings, but these are particularly complex.

It's something that is an absolute last resort on these deliveries to leave a train like a sitting duck, but it just isn't always possible unfortunately.

Something good is happening tonight though, RTT showing 6Q23 66 early through Latchmere Junction, hopefully a very frustrating night for the aerosol assholes

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I have seen it reported on se-gen today that 555 016 + 555 035 are on the way for delivery on Friday - unfortunately again with unofficial livery modifications.

 

[ExRes]

I have seen it reported on se-gen today that 555 016 + 555 035 are on the way for delivery on Friday - unfortunately again with unofficial livery modifications.

This time though the vandalism was reported to be of the EU variety

0620 6Q34 Wembley Receptions to York Holgate Siding with a 1039 to 1103 stopover at Lincoln reportedly to detach the 20s, if that plan has gone ahead of course, then 2051 6Q35 to Pelaw Junction arriving 2344

 

[800001]

This time though the vandalism was reported to be of the EU variety

0620 6Q34 Wembley Receptions to York Holgate Siding with a 1039 to 1103 stopover at Lincoln reportedly to detach the 20s, if that plan has gone ahead of course, then 2051 6Q35 to Pelaw Junction arriving 2344

Northbound run is earlier with several stops on route in places it doesn’t normally.

 

[hacman]

A 'rock and hard place' situation, as we need to clear a possession near Factory Junction before it begins, but also due to gauging issues need to travel wrong road along the West London, which means waiting a long time for a suitable gap at times. Very challenging set of circumstances with all out of gauge workings, but these are particularly complex.

It's something that is an absolute last resort on these deliveries to leave a train like a sitting duck, but it just isn't always possible unfortunately.

Which part of the consist is out-of-gauge for the WLL? As I would have thought, the 555s themselves would be fine as Metro has some especially tight sections. Barrier wagons perhaps?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Which part of the consist is out-of-gauge for the WLL? As I would have thought, the 555s themselves would be fine as Metro has some especially tight sections. Barrier wagons perhaps?

Seeing as 6Q23 flew through and beyond Latchmere Junction I am guessing the class 43s are a bit tricky ?. The alternative 20s might be easier gauge wise ?.

Consist seemed to be 20311 + 20302 - 555035 + 555016.
It came through Orpington Platform 2 rather fast, I am more sure on the 555s and did not spot any vandalism on the left/West side.

RTT link for 6Q23.

 

[Class15]

Seeing as 6Q23 flew through and beyond Latchmere Junction I am guessing the class 43s are a bit tricky ?. The alternative 20s might be easier gauge wise ?.

According to the online data it ran ‘correct line’ the whole way up the WLL. Which confuses me even more.

 

[Peter Sarf]

According to the online data it ran ‘correct line’ the whole way up the WLL. Which confuses me even more.

Maybe actually less confusing as the actual times achieved would then make sense.

 

[FusionZenFlame]

555016 + 555035
marks 21 Class 555s now.