Tyne & Wear Metro Fleet Replacement: Awarded to Stadler

[Wallsendmag]

That would be a good advert for the North East but I just hope the Northumberland Line doesn't get delayed.

More than that already announced you mean?

 

[danbarjon]

More than that already announced you mean?

Yeah.

 

[kez19]

That would be a good advert for the North East but I just hope the Northumberland Line doesn't get delayed.

The reason I mentioned that part was I read thats opening summer 2024 but also read November 2024 (both on google), but I agree if the new Metro (or at least a mix of both old/new fleet of Metro) i'm sure it be good for both the new line and Metro.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northumberland_Line

The Northumberland Line is a planned railway project in North East England aimed at reintroducing passenger rail services to freight-only lines in South East Northumberland. Under the scheme, a new passenger service would link some of Northumberland's major population centres in Ashington and Blyth to the nearby city of Newcastle upon Tyne.[1] Construction of new stations and works to upgrade the existing rail infrastructure to bring it up to passenger-carrying standards is reported as having begun by late August 2022,[2] ahead of the anticipated launch of the new passenger service in December 2023.[3] This was later pushed back to November 2024.[4]

https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/new-northumberland-rail-line-re-open-summer-2024

7 March 2023
Rail passengers in the North-East will be able to reconnect with friends and family and enjoy greater access to business and education opportunities when the historic Northumberland Line reopens next summer.

I'm just quoting/links as even I am confused of the opening but I think it would be a good idea if it came together (again as I say I visit Newcastle regularly but not a local and not as knowledgable on things, happy to be corrected at any time).

 

[DanNCL]

Maybe I am throwing a spanner in the works here (obviously speculating), but would it be coincendental if some of the new Metro appeared as the new Northumberland Line opens?

Just to say its only my opinion here nothing factual here (lol).

That would be a good advert for the North East but I just hope the Northumberland Line doesn't get delayed.

I would hope that these new Metro units are in passenger service long before the Ashington line opens!

Thanks. Do you mean a demonstration run in passenger service, not just for the media or driver testing? That is surprisingly quick.

There was supposed to be a demonstration in passenger service by the 31st of December.

This is the source: https://northeastca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023.09.14-TWSC-Public-Agenda-Park.pdf

It won't be running. The quotes from Nexus in the minutes of committee meetings aren't worth the paper (or pdf file) that they're written on. Nexus tell the committee whatever they think the committee wants to hear regardless if it's accurate or not. On the rare occasions the committee ever flags Nexus up on it whoever they send (usually one of the three most senior managers at Nexus) claims to have been unaware. I've sat through several of these meetings and lost count of the number of excuses I've heard for various issues from Nexus senior leadership at them.

 

[Killingworth]

It would be nice if new units were running for the 2024 Great North Run. Way back it was hoped they might be in service for the 2023 event.

 

[kez19]

It would be nice if new units were running for the 2024 Great North Run. Way back it was hoped they might be in service for the 2023 event.

Now there is an event I agree with.

 

[typefish]

It would be nice if new units were running for the 2024 Great North Run. Way back it was hoped they might be in service for the 2023 event.

why, is the new fleet fitted with snorkels?

 

[Killingworth]

why, is the new fleet fitted with snorkels?

Might be useful if we get a repeat of the 2023 deluge.

The comment may not mean much to those who didn't experience the soaking and up to 3 hour wait to get out of South Shields by rail or road!

 

[Volvictof]

N

why, is the new fleet fitted with snorkels?

Not quite, but most of the equipment is on the top of the train rather than the bottom as is is with the current fleet, therefore the rules on operating when there is standing water on the rails are slightly more lenient, which could result in service running longer during flooding. (Although obviously there does get to a point where service would have to stop)

 

[danbarjon]

Daytime testing due to start in the coming weeks according to The Chronicle.

 

[Jozhua]

Regarding concerns about wider infrastructure - I agree that new trains will likely help, even if there are ongoing issues with track.

Unfortunately, a lot of transit systems across the UK are creaking a bit with inflationary pressures + energy costs + limited external funding from gov/councils. NET feels like it's in a very similar state, although Tyne & Wear is definitely noticeably more aged.

Hopefully after inflation eases & a more friendly gov comes in, things will improve on the wider trackage. Either way, new trains will be a big step dorward and are definitely the biggest issue on the system right now.

 

[The Laziest]

Think I have just seen one of the Class 555s dashing through at Kingston Park!
Can anyone confirm if they have started daytime testing yet?

 

[danbarjon]

Think I have just seen one of the Class 555s dashing through at Kingston Park!
Can anyone confirm if they have started daytime testing yet?

Which way was it headed at Kingston Park?

 

[Volvictof]

Think I have just seen one of the Class 555s dashing through at Kingston Park!
Can anyone confirm if they have started daytime testing yet?

No daytime testing as of yet, infact no night time testing at the moment either until the Stadler lot return from Christmas leave next week. It must have been a trick of the light.

 

[Paul_10]

No daytime testing as of yet, infact no night time testing at the moment either until the Stadler lot return from Christmas leave next week. It must have been a trick of the light.

Looking on a purely outsiders perspective, it feels progress is slow, even just getting rid of the old fleet feels slow. Would not shock me one bit if there is no daytime testing this month.

 

[Trestrol]

Probably just shunting at the very west end of the depot.

 

[MotCO]

Looking on a purely outsiders perspective, it feels progress is slow, even just getting rid of the old fleet feels slow. Would not shock me one bit if there is no daytime testing this month.

There aren't many daylight hours at the moment!

 

[ModernRailways]

Probably just shunting at the very west end of the depot.

Bit of a long shunt for it to end up at Kingston Park

 

[Trestrol]

Bit of a long shunt for it to end up at Kingston Park

Yeah getting Regents Centre and Kingston Park mixed up, DOH.

 

[DanNCL]

There is a path in the current working timetable for daytime testing of these units around the coast, train running board 200 is the one to keep an eye on. It’ll only run as required. Daytime testing will of course have to take place on the rest of the network too.

No daytime testing as of yet, infact no night time testing at the moment either until the Stadler lot return from Christmas leave next week. It must have been a trick of the light.

That’s a long period of Christmas leave, Christmas was 3 weeks ago!

 

[Trestrol]

There is a path in the current working timetable for daytime testing of these units around the coast, train running board 200 is the one to keep an eye on. It’ll only run as required. Daytime testing will of course have to take place on the rest of the network too.


That’s a long period of Christmas leave, Christmas was 3 weeks ago!

But you're working on the principle that the people testing/commissioning the sets are British. I think you'll find the Swiss are only back from their Christmas break this week.

 

[Volvictof]

But you're working on the principle that the people testing/commissioning the sets are British. I think you'll find the Swiss are only back from their Christmas break this week.

Apologies, yes I should have clarified that to avoid any confusion. They have been home in Switzerland.

 

[D365]

I was reading on the Nexus site last night that it’s 46 units the network is expecting.

In total how many do Nexus/Metro now have at present?

It leaves me wondering how Nexus will manage with a net reduction in the number of vehicles post-Metrocar.

 

[trebor79]

It leaves me wondering how Nexus will manage with a net reduction in the number of vehicles post-Metrocar.

The current units almost always run doubled up, so I believe it's actually like for like replacement with each new train replacing a double set.

 

[D365]

The current units almost always run doubled up, so I believe it's actually like for like replacement with each new train replacing a double set.

Pre-"Metro Flow" planning indicated 42 Class 555 units to replace 89 Metrocars. With the four additional 555s being billed as enhanced service frequency, i.e. not counting towards replacement of the 89 Metrocars.

 

[DanNCL]

But you're working on the principle that the people testing/commissioning the sets are British. I think you'll find the Swiss are only back from their Christmas break this week.

Apologies, yes I should have clarified that to avoid any confusion. They have been home in Switzerland.

That makes more sense, I thought you meant Gosforth based staff which is why I thought it was odd!

It leaves me wondering how Nexus will manage with a net reduction in the number of vehicles post-Metrocar.

The current units almost always run doubled up, so I believe it's actually like for like replacement with each new train replacing a double set.

Pre-"Metro Flow" planning indicated 42 Class 555 units to replace 89 Metrocars. With the four additional 555s being billed as enhanced service frequency, i.e. not counting towards replacement of the 89 Metrocars.

46 new units arriving in total. Each new unit is equivalent to two old ones. So equivalent of 92 old ones, an increase over the old fleet even when it was at full strength.
Realistically the last time all 90 of the old fleet were operational at the same time will have been in 2010 before the first unit went to Wabtec for refurbishment.

For reference the last time any of the old fleet ran in passenger service as a single unit was at least 10 years ago, almost certainly longer.

 

[ModernRailways]

It leaves me wondering how Nexus will manage with a net reduction in the number of vehicles post-Metrocar.

As others have pointed out, we are getting 46 of the new class 555, this is to replace 90 metrocars. As the metrocars always run in pairs this is 45 trains so we are essentially gaining a unit with the new fleet.

It’s also worth noting that it’s not up to Nexus to manage the new fleet. Nexus/Metro will produce a timetable, they will tell Stadler how many units are required to run that timetable.

 

[D365]

As others have pointed out, we are getting 46 of the new class 555, this is to replace 90 metrocars. As the metrocars always run in pairs this is 45 trains so we are essentially gaining a unit with the new fleet.

Correct, but before ”Metro Flow” was confirmed it was 42 Class 555s to replace ~89 Metrocars. Hence my question of whether the order quantity of 46 leaves enough slack in the new fleet.

 

[ModernRailways]

Correct, but before ”Metro Flow” was confirmed it was 42 Class 555s to replace ~89 Metrocars. Hence my question of whether the order quantity of 46 leaves enough slack in the new fleet.

The original order would have provided enough slack for a core 12 minute frequency (6 through core) off-peak, alongside additional peak services. Metro flow adds additional units, keeping some slack, allowing for a 10 minute frequency (5 through core).

The new units will be more reliable, spare parts will be more readily available as the unit, whilst unique, shares a relatively common parts list with other Stadler units, not to mention the fact Stadler will be the ones responsible for their longevity.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Correct, but before ”Metro Flow” was confirmed it was 42 Class 555s to replace ~89 Metrocars.

True, but the four "unrefurbished" Metrocars haven't really been in full proper service since 2010. 42 Stadlers to replace 84 Metrocars was basically a like-for-like.