Tyne and Wear Metro loading gauge

[HSTEd]

I was just wondering how big the loading guage on the Tyne and Wear metro is.
I would assume that since most, if not all, of the tunnels were used by the Tyneside electrics before the opening of the system that it is pretty similar to mainline gauge but I'm not sure if some corners were cut somewhere.

The reason I ask is to determine if replacement rolling stock could be built to an existing main line design such as the Electrostar family or whether it would have to be ordered to a smaller metro specification.

This is largely due to a thought experiment I have been working on for a while to deal with the boredom Im experiencing prior to my return to university.

Thanks in advance for any help on the subject.

 

[sprinterguy]

None of the Newcastle (and Gateshead) city centre tunnels were in use when the Tyneside electrics, and the following first gen DMUs, were in service, they were built specifically for the Metro system, so if there are any gauge clearance issues then they are most likely going to be there.

Width wise, heavy rail stock is able to pass through the platforms on the Pelaw to Sunderland section while the Metros manage to maintain their level access with a small gap between platform and train that is seen elsewhere on the Metro system, but I don't know whether they are smaller in height, and also their distance between bogie centres is shorter than any heavy rail stock except possibly a Pacer, which will reduce end and centre throw that would be experienced with some sort of heavy rail unit.

 

[142094]

As has been said, it is the tunnels that were specifically constructed for the Metro system that are the problem. Rest of the system should be OK (seeing as BR used to run from Benton to Callerton Parkway). The Metro also has a fleet of engineering wagons that were ex-BR and they do fit through the tunnels, but at a restricted speed. Some are also banned from the Manors stock curve. New stock would undoubtedly need to be constructed to a smaller loading guage. For example the Tamper machine that Nexus Rail own was specially made for the system and is a slightly smaller version of the one you see on the mainline.

Another random fact is that the Tamper is also the only diesel-powered loco on the whole system in use today.

 

[WatcherZero]

Minimum curve radius of the T&W is supposedly 50m (with tighter restriction on maintenence vehicle only tracks), I dont know what the minimum curve radius is for the standard Class 150 kinetic profile in a standard corner but I know the minimum platform curve radius is 200m with a handful of non compliant platforms on the British network.

 

[142094]

Minimum curve is 50 m, but that is only found at one place on the system (Manors stock line). No other part of the system has a tighter curve (revenue or non-revenue). Indeed some of the engineering trains are not allowed via Manors stock line and have to go all the way around via the Coast.