North East Buses

I have been told (so take with a pinch of salt) that from May 2025 delivery of Class 555's could be delivered in 3's and possibly 4's instead of pairs like they've been doing

555015 has now entered passenger service

(17 Apr 2025, 8:58 am)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]555015 has now entered passenger service

Has anyone got the train running numbers of which ones are new?

I have currently noted down 
GREEN - 102 | 104
YELLOW - 123 

I am sure there is more than 3 in service so which ones am I missing?

102, 104, 121, 123, and 125

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c985k4gne4ko

Stadler stock temporarily withdrawn.

(24 Apr 2025, 2:55 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c985k4gne4ko

Stadler stock temporarily withdrawn.

Oh dear, bet they wish they hadn't of got scrap crazy recently now

(24 Apr 2025, 4:21 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Oh dear, bet they wish they hadn't of got scrap crazy recently now

They reckon there's still enough of the original Metrocars to operate the full service.

Bet they don't bother with the peak hour short workings, mind .....

I've had word that 555012 and 555014 are arriving next week

555014 was "tagged" at Wembley the other night, be a while til that one is in service

Next 555's to arrive are reported to 555016 and 555035 (why they skipped 555017, don't ask me) also reported to be leaving the network next week is 4003,4010 (finally),4013, and 4040 (also finally)

Northstar on the Metro replacements today?

(29 May 2025, 1:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Northstar on the Metro replacements today?

Go North East.

(29 May 2025, 1:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Northstar on the Metro replacements today?

Yes, Northstar was awarded the contract to operate the “hot spare” for the Metro blockade this week.

Go North East are running the main 901 (and had a breakdown or two today).

(29 May 2025, 11:25 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Yes, Northstar was awarded the contract to operate the “hot spare” for the Metro blockade this week.

Go North East are running the main 901 (and had a breakdown or two today).

Thanks, Dan. Is 422 operating any trips on the 901 today? Or just staying parked up as the spare bus on standby? Was hoping to video it!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c331ln47e7ko

"£1.8bn for the North East to extend the Newcastle to Sunderland Metro via Washington"

How many metros are required to run the current service a day

(04 Jun 2025, 7:18 am)thw1008 wrote [ -> ]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c331ln47e7ko

"£1.8bn for the North East to extend the Newcastle to Sunderland Metro via Washington"

Good news, about time we actually got funding for the extension.


Hopefully work will start by the end of 2026 or the start of 2027.

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(04 Jun 2025, 6:59 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote [ -> ]How many metros are required to run the current service a day

According to this comment on RailUkForums:


28 trains a day - will increase by 4 once both lines go every 10 mins, however a reply said, the peak times will return so the number of trains needed will increase again.


https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/tyn...st-7315953


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How will the loop work? - will lines be swapped over?

(04 Jun 2025, 7:11 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]How will the loop work? - will lines be swapped over?

Entirely guessing but I reckon it'd be Airport - Benton or Four Lane Ends or wherever is the easiest to reverse from after Newcastle.

(04 Jun 2025, 7:47 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Entirely guessing but I reckon it'd be Airport - Benton or Four Lane Ends or wherever is the easiest to reverse from after Newcastle.

Unless it's changed it's

Airport to Heworth (3 TPH)
Airport to Monkseaton (3 TPH)

Was in one of the documents awhile back.

Will Stadler have to up the order from 46 Trains then?

(04 Jun 2025, 8:32 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Will Stadler have to up the order from 46 Trains then?

I'd imagine it'd be a separate order. I think it'll be 2027 before a shovel goes into the ground, so they'll not leave the existing order open for that.

I remember them saying when they ordered the 555s that they have options to buy more if the Washington extension got approved.

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(04 Jun 2025, 8:30 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Unless it's changed it's

Airport to Heworth (3 TPH)
Airport to Monkseaton (3 TPH)

Was in one of the documents awhile back.

I think Heworth would be a mistake, it seems pointless to me them not all continuing to Newcastle.

Am I the only one who can’t wrap my head around why they’re making a loop out of it? I would’ve thought it would make more sense to have it follow the old track alignment to penshaw or fence houses with a new line from that terminus to gosforth or regent centre or something? Surely this whole loop thing is just going to be confusing for people travelling?

(05 Jun 2025, 12:01 am)ALavery wrote [ -> ]Am I the only one who can’t wrap my head around why they’re making a loop out of it? I would’ve thought it would make more sense to have it follow the old track alignment to penshaw or fence houses with a new line from that terminus to gosforth or regent centre or something? Surely this whole loop thing is just going to be confusing for people travelling?

You wouldn't connect it to Sunderland?

(05 Jun 2025, 12:01 am)ALavery wrote [ -> ]Am I the only one who can’t wrap my head around why they’re making a loop out of it? I would’ve thought it would make more sense to have it follow the old track alignment to penshaw or fence houses with a new line from that terminus to gosforth or regent centre or something? Surely this whole loop thing is just going to be confusing for people travelling?

It makes a lot of sense having a loop. People in Washington so travel to Sunderland, as well as Newcastle. I have to say, there’s a lot of negativity towards this extension (not necessarily on these pages). I would like to see the entire Leamside line brought back into use , and this is a good start.

In Metros defense here (and I don't normally defend them) but why is it not a good idea to do a loop?, its no different to the Costal loop that already exists in North Tyneside?, it also opens the door to further expansion later down the line, although I don't know why they keep saying "30 years since the last extension" was the Sunderland Extension first announced in 1995, i didn't first see it appear until 1998, with it then opening in 2002

I think it may need to cut and not looped for technical reasons...

some expert @tez you may have the knowledge on this... and you will understand my technical question...

if Network Rail owns and operates and manages Park Lane to South Hylton Line (and sends the Banana train up there)

Does that mean the Pelaw and Washington has to be owned by Network Rail too especially if it wants to be linked

Supplementary Question if the Victoria Viaduct is owned by Network Rail would that mean the line would be owned by Network Rail or would Network Rail hand the Victoria Viaduct over to Nexus /NECA so they have the liability of maintaining the bridge

In my opinion .. it is better for the line to be maintained and managed by Network Rail similar to Park lane to South Hylton as it means there is easier negotiation for leamside line and to extend etc


There is a reason why I ask...

will it be manned by Northumbria Police or BTP

(05 Jun 2025, 8:52 pm)I’m DaveFromUpNorth wrote [ -> ]I think it may need to cut and not looped for technical reasons...

some expert @tez you may have the knowledge on this... and you will understand my technical question...

if Network Rail owns and operates and manages Park Lane to South Hylton Line (and sends the Banana train up there)

Does that mean the Pelaw and Washington has to be owned by Network Rail too  especially if it wants to be linked

Supplementary Question if the Victoria Viaduct is owned by Network Rail would that mean the line would be owned by Network Rail or would Network Rail hand the Victoria Viaduct over to Nexus /NECA  so they have the liability of maintaining the bridge

In my opinion .. it is better for the line to be maintained and managed by Network Rail similar to Park lane to South Hylton as it means there is easier negotiation for leamside line and to extend etc


There is a reason why I ask...

will it be manned by Northumbria Police or BTP

As the line south of Pelaw is Network Rail, one has to ‘assume’ the leamside line (owned by network rail) is controlled by NR. I m sure all this is already taken care of. It follows that it’s BTP.

(05 Jun 2025, 11:57 am)Economic505 wrote [ -> ]It makes a lot of sense having a loop. People in Washington so travel to Sunderland, as well as Newcastle. I have to say, there’s a lot of negativity towards this extension (not necessarily on these pages). I would like to see the entire Leamside line brought back into use , and this is a good start.

(05 Jun 2025, 9:17 pm)Economic505 wrote [ -> ]As the line south of Pelaw is Network Rail, one has to ‘assume’ the leamside line (owned by network rail) is controlled by NR. I m sure all this is already taken care of. It follows that it’s BTP.

I think some of the negativity stems from the 'I've heard it all before' brigade, but they've clearly not read beyond the headline. This is the first time the plan has had funding committed by Government, which has always been the stumbling block. It's never been a lack of desire or ambition from local politicians - in fact, it's probably the one thing that has united them all.

As someone who lives there, I'd say that the links to Newcastle and Sunderland are equally as important for people here. Not to mention the onward travel that the significant cut in journey time would allow. 

Phase 2/Leamside South appears to be very much the long-term ambition from what the Mayor has said today, so I'd expect to see Phase 1/Wearside Loop being under Network Rail, allowing for future heavy rail connections onto Phase 2. the FAQs allude to this: https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/metro-was...washington

There's also a number of public engagement sessions planned: https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/metro...-announced

• Tuesday 17 June: Washington Millenium Centre, Concord, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Wednesday 18 June: Columbia Community Association, Hillthorne Close, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Thursday 19 June: Tansey Centre, Church Street, South Hylton, Sunderland 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Monday 23 June: Mickey’s Place, St Michael's Church, Manor Road, Sulgrave, 10am-12pm
• Tuesday 24 June: Transform North East (Top Club), Manor Rd, Washington, 2:30pm - 5:30pm
• Wednesday 25 June: Washington Library, 0 Washington Highway, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm
• Thursday 26 June: Heworth Metro station, Gateshead, 8.30am-12pm.
• Monday 30 June: Hebburn Central, South Tyneside, 3.30-6.30pm.
• Tuesday 1 July: Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm.

(04 Jun 2025, 9:40 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]I think Heworth would be a mistake, it seems pointless to me them not all continuing to Newcastle.

Yeah agreed to be honest, unsure what the rationale was tbh.