Tees Metro

[tgm999]

i've read that they where thinking of puting 156s on these services to begin with and then thinking about ordering new stock. i'm not sure where they plan on getting said class 156s but their better then bouncy 142s

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Evening all,

Just wondering if anyone knows when Hartlepool was converted to the single through platform only? I remember it being like that around 15 years ago, when the footbridge was still in place. Family in the area can't remember or don't know. Always seemed a very strange set up to me.

Hartlepool actually has two platforms, the small bay (used on a Sunday) and the one through line. The through line was created in 1999 (i believe, and was told), as the second platform did not get used as much. Now you see the platforms getting overcrowded. There is refurbishment starting today, wagons and materials arriving, and a few council bosses there... Roof is getting removed in the station. Its all go!

 

[142094]

i've read that they where thinking of puting 156s on these services to begin with and then thinking about ordering new stock.

That's right, saw this quoted in a few places, they wanted "more modern" stock, although I'm not sure if they actually know the age difference between a 142 and 156 is very small indeed.

Hartlepool actually has two platforms

Sure does, although it only has the single through platform (see original post). The bay is used for the Sunday only Darlington - Hartlepool services, and occasionally for stabling. Have seen a DRS 37 there when it failed on a nuclear flask run.

I'm sure the station has been single for at least 15 years, it only used to be used for the Steetley magnesia trains and other freight, until the TYne Dock coals came along the coast. By chance I passed by today, finally they are making a start. IIRC this interchange was planned years ago, there was even a sign with a nice artist's impression which had the Railtrack logo on next to the Church Street bus stops until recently.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

I'm sure the station has been single for at least 15 years, it only used to be used for the Steetley magnesia trains and other freight, until the TYne Dock coals came along the coast. By chance I passed by today, finally they are making a start. IIRC this interchange was planned years ago, there was even a sign with a nice artist's impression which had the Railtrack logo on next to the Church Street bus stops until recently.

Yep! have to go past the station every day on my "Yellow Bus" to school, and i get to see the progress. The interchange was originally planned in
2003, but got cancelled or called off for years. Then, they think its a good idea to rush it for the Tall Ships next year. But, they are placing computers in the town centre, church Square and other areas with Transport Timetables, bus and train.
Should be fun!

Every couple of days, there is a train standing at Platform 2 (disused one) - freight though. The line is used, just not to passengers. I don't think it would be hard to do, though!

 

[142094]

Probably not, all it would need is resurfacing, bit of a clean up and a new bridge. Still don't know why they took the old one away, or why they even closed the platform in the first place. Would be good to have a walking route from the KFC and cinema to that platform, plus it would mean that Northern trains don't have to wait for a late running GC and vice versa.

I also saw some mention of building a new station at Hart village, seems wierd after they closed the Castle Eden lines and shut the stations between Hartlepool and Seaham in the 60s.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Probably not, all it would need is resurfacing, bit of a clean up and a new bridge. Still don't know why they took the old one away, or why they even closed the platform in the first place. Would be good to have a walking route from the KFC and cinema to that platform, plus it would mean that Northern trains don't have to wait for a late running GC and vice versa.

I also saw some mention of building a new station at Hart village, seems wierd after they closed the Castle Eden lines and shut the stations between Hartlepool and Seaham in the 60s.

Yeah, the Hart Village bit is cancelled, but they might build one for Horden & Peterlee. The station wouldn't require much to bring it up to 3 Platforms, but Network Rail say it would be in the millions, when it just needs a resurface and a bridge? Everything else is still there, including lights.

 

[142094]

I suppose to do it properly it would need a bit of money but surely not that much.

 

[Darandio]

Although a fictional movie, a quote from Independence Day sums up the difference between what we think something costs and what they think something costs.

You don't actually think they spend $20,000.00 on a hammer, $30,000.00 on a toilet seat do you?

 

[142094]

Still, good to see Hartlepool getting some investment for a change. Least it will stop the pidgeon which used to nest on top of one of the lights from crapping all over the platform.

Also saw an artilce in the Newcastle Journal today, seems Hartlepool now has its own bar on the station, although very small and serves real ales:

http://www.ratracealehouse.co.uk/

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Still, good to see Hartlepool getting some investment for a change. Least it will stop the pidgeon which used to nest on top of one of the lights from crapping all over the platform.

Also saw an artilce in the Newcastle Journal today, seems Hartlepool now has its own bar on the station, although very small and serves real ales:

http://www.ratracealehouse.co.uk/

Yeah, the Wine Bar is quite good actually. We now have that and a cafe, and I did hear someone was interested in a Newsagents. I saw the roof-removal vehicles yesterday, so the roof must be coming out.

They are also closing part of the platform for this maintenance, so there will still be some inconvenience.

 

[142094]

Grand Central were giving out info as it means passengers can't access the doors at the Newcastle end of the train when on the platform. Will probably have a trip up one day to see how they're doing (and a couple of pints).

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Grand Central were giving out info as it means passengers can't access the doors at the Newcastle end of the train when on the platform. Will probably have a trip up one day to see how they're doing (and a couple of pints).

See, that little shop is doing well! its only 5 days old, and yet a lot of people out of the town know it! Aha.

 

[142094]

Always good to support the independent traders, much better than a pint of fizzy urine in a faceless high street corporation any day. Although the lack of room concerns me a bit.

Good little cafe there too, cheap enough. Shame it isn't open more hours.

 

[Bish Boy]

Hi im still new to this forum. just wondering if anyone knew what this metro would mean for trains from Bishop Auckland - Saltburn will they stop at Darlington or will they still travel on the new metro system?

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Hi im still new to this forum. just wondering if anyone knew what this metro would mean for trains from Bishop Auckland - Saltburn will they stop at Darlington or will they still travel on the new metro system?

All services should commence as usual, and the Tees Metro would just be additional capacity, terminating at Darlington. It is more than likely that Northern would extend all terminating Darlington Services onwards to Bishop.

 

[Darandio]

I cannot see that, not with the loadings they get on the line, not to mention capacity problems.

 

[Bish Boy]

Thanks Dave was worried for a mo lol. Still don't see the point of this metro the money could have been better spent expanding and improving the current facilities i used to travel to uni at boro on the saltburn line and the trains were always full ish especially at peak times. Was thinking a service from Bish to the Durham coast line would be a cool idea (neva happen "Dream World" lol)

 

[Darandio]

It used to! At least from Darlington anyway when the Hartlepool services were running. They even used to have a Darlington to Newcastle via the coast.

 

[Bish Boy]

That would be great now and probably get well used. See a totally better use of investment than the tvm lmao.

 

[142094]

It used to! At least from Darlington anyway when the Hartlepool services were running. They even used to have a Darlington to Newcastle via the coast.

Still do on Sundays, although when I did it once I was 50% of the total passengers between Darlo and Hartlepool.


Guessing if they extend the Metro to Bishop they would have to put a lot of investment in the track, as IIRC a lot of it is still unwelded.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Still do on Sundays, although when I did it once I was 50% of the total passengers between Darlo and Hartlepool.


Guessing if they extend the Metro to Bishop they would have to put a lot of investment in the track, as IIRC a lot of it is still unwelded.

Im on about the normal services (that are running right now) from Saltburn to Darlington would most likely go to Bishop, instead of the Metro. The Metro will terminate in Darlington.

 

[Darandio]

But the line hasn't got the capacity to extend all current services.

 

[142094]

So therefore some funding should be used to improve Darlo - Bishop, perhaps at the expense of new trains?

 

[Bish Boy]

I'd agree with that the state of the line in some areas is very poor with speed restrictions in place improve those and also some double line areas reinstated (ie north road) major improvement.

 

[Darandio]

So therefore some funding should be used to improve Darlo - Bishop, perhaps at the expense of new trains?

Still cannot see it, simply because of demand. I travel the route regularly and it is always very lightly loaded, even with the introduction of Locomotion at Shildon.

A more likely scenario is that BARS who now own the Weardale Railway will seek to run services through to Darlington in some form. This does have some backing from Network Rail who have now reinstated the required points and crossovers at Bishop Auckland to allow through services from Wearhead. If that does happen I would probably expect to see Northern Rail attempt to re-negotiate their franchise commitments to Bishop Auckland.

 

[Bish Boy]

I have heard that freight will start coming down from Wolsingham early 2010 and also trains to locomotion and northroad. Also they hope regular railtours from around the uk.

 

[142094]

Hasn't one rail tour already been planned so the track has been reconnected at Bishop? Sure I remember reading this in a recent Northern Echo.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Hasn't one rail tour already been planned so the track has been reconnected at Bishop?

19th Feb 2010
Link here

 

[142094]

Thought so, thanks for that Dave.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Just to update everyone that the Transport Interchange at Hartlepool is nearing completion, and on-time still.