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Tyne and wear metro yobs smashing windows

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s'nami bog

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Joined
9 Nov 2023
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Uk
I know there are a few metro employees on this forum and it'd be great if they could shine some light into this.

What is with the increased rate of yobs kicking out the windows on the Metro's, and why is it so easy to do. Last week I was on one of the last trains home and a group of teenage yobs were swinging around on the top yellow grab bars and kicking the windows. After a few kicks the window fell out of its frame and into the tracks, they then ran off at the next stop. I didn't bother reporting this until I got off as I just wanted to get home, but I did let the driver know at my stop and the train was taken out of service.

Why does it seem that the windows are so easy to kick out? And has anyone noticed an increase again in antisocial behavior despite security on trains
 
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hacman

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22 Jul 2011
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346
s'nami bog said:
I know there are a few metro employees on this forum and it'd be great if they could shine some light into this.

What is with the increased rate of yobs kicking out the windows on the Metro's, and why is it so easy to do. Last week I was on one of the last trains home and a group of teenage yobs were swinging around on the top yellow grab bars and kicking the windows. After a few kicks the window fell out of its frame and into the tracks, they then ran off at the next stop. I didn't bother reporting this until I got off as I just wanted to get home, but I did let the driver know at my stop and the train was taken out of service.

Why does it seem that the windows are so easy to kick out? And has anyone noticed an increase again in antisocial behavior despite security on trains
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The windows on these trains are single-glazed and are sealed into place with just a rubber gasket. This is one of the "value" aspects of the original Metro fleet design, and I believe it was also touted as a safety feature in the event of an accident (no need for tungsten hammers, etc).

Sadly, there isn't much Nexus/Stadler can do to make these more durable (there was a similar issue with the windows on the door panels, which has been addressed with the plastic rim around the glass). It's likely not worth the effort to address the issue with the saloon windows now that the new fleet is due to enter service.

Antisocial behaviour is a big issue; to this end, security can only do so much. They are not law enforcement, and even if they did have equivalent powers it fails to address the root causes of ASB. 14 years of austerity has much to answer for in this regard.
 
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Volvictof

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As said above it’s a safety feature that a number of windows on the carriage have to be able to be kicked out, (not all of them mind). The issue has increased since at some point the wrong window seals have been ordered (perhaps due to others no longer being available) so the windows are a little looser than previously.

I have personally notices a few windows lying on the tracks recently, but nothing compared tho what it used to be like a couple of years ago. They try and recover them off the tracks quickly because 1) they need them, and 2) having them littered all over the tracks gives peolle the idea that they should kick them out too…. google “Broken window theory”.

It’s worth baring in mind that they are pretty insecure in their frames, and they can just fall out if someone leans against them (most common in the disabled section with the cushioned leaning area)


I would say that obviosly you should report this as soon as you see it, and not just when you get to your stop. it could result in serious injury or death otherwise. It’s also kind of “pull the ladder up Jack” to tell the driver at your stop so you get to go home and the rest have to wait.
 
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s'nami bog

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Volvictof said:
As said above it’s a safety feature that a number of windows on the carriage have to be able to be kicked out, (not all of them mind). The issue has increased since at some point the wrong window seals have been ordered (perhaps due to others no longer being available) so the windows are a little looser than previously.

I have personally notices a few windows lying on the tracks recently, but nothing compared tho what it used to be like a couple of years ago. They try and recover them off the tracks quickly because 1) they need them, and 2) having them littered all over the tracks gives peolle the idea that they should kick them out too…. google “Broken window theory”.

It’s worth baring in mind that they are pretty insecure in their frames, and they can just fall out if someone leans against them (most common in the disabled section with the cushioned leaning area)


I would say that obviosly you should report this as soon as you see it, and not just when you get to your stop. it could result in serious injury or death otherwise. It’s also kind of “pull the ladder up Jack” to tell the driver at your stop so you get to go home and the rest have to wait.
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Very interesting, thanks for your insight.
As for reporting it, I was the only one left on the rear carriage after it happened, I didn't see any possible danger from this, the window was pushed out on the opposite side to the other track.
 
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Volvictof

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Don’t get me wrong, you've only done what every other person does in that situation. But I would say that there are some dangers to having a window missing that you might not foresee, so it is always best to get it reported asap.
 
43096

43096

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Volvictof said:
As said above it’s a safety feature that a number of windows on the carriage have to be able to be kicked out, (not all of them mind). The issue has increased since at some point the wrong window seals have been ordered (perhaps due to others no longer being available) so the windows are a little looser than previously.

I have personally notices a few windows lying on the tracks recently, but nothing compared tho what it used to be like a couple of years ago. They try and recover them off the tracks quickly because 1) they need them, and 2) having them littered all over the tracks gives peolle the idea that they should kick them out too…. google “Broken window theory”.

It’s worth baring in mind that they are pretty insecure in their frames, and they can just fall out if someone leans against them (most common in the disabled section with the cushioned leaning area)


I would say that obviosly you should report this as soon as you see it, and not just when you get to your stop. it could result in serious injury or death otherwise. It’s also kind of “pull the ladder up Jack” to tell the driver at your stop so you get to go home and the rest have to wait.
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Given that thinking currently is to have non-breakable windows so that passengers are contained within the vehicle if it overturns (rather than being thrown out with greater risk of injury or fatality) it is concerning that windows can be so easily knocked out. See the Croydon tram derailment for the consequences.
 
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Tramfan

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Those that are kicked out but don't smash can be reused. Also, if a window is dislodged rather than kicked out, reporting it can potentially allow it to be repaired on the go, either at South Gosforth or at a terminating station
 
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Volvictof

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12 Oct 2019
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Location
Newcastle
CarrotPie said:
What use are smashed windows to "them"?
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2 parts are re-used; the frames (especially ones with a top part that opens) and the rubber seals.


Tramfan said:
Those that are kicked out but don't smash can be reused. Also, if a window is dislodged rather than kicked out, reporting it can potentially allow it to be repaired on the go, either at South Gosforth or at a terminating station
Click to expand...
A dislodged window will only be repaired at the depot, it will require the train to be taken out of service as soon as it is discovered and then will return to the depot straight away. If it is hanging off, the driver may be asked to try and secure it and the train may have to travel at a vastly reduced speed

Swift reporting can however help the train get back into service as soon as possible, rather than a train getting past a potential turnaround point and then having to travel all the way around the coast instead just turning back and going straight up the curve past old Jesmond. (This is just an example)
 
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