(01 Mar 2013, 5:41 pm)Kuyoyo wrote

(01 Mar 2013, 4:18 pm)Daniel wrote I'd still love to know why Tyne and Wear operators register Metro replacement work - surely, as it's rail replacement work, they needn't? After all, that's classed as private and work and need not be registered...

Because they issue Metro Tickets and take fares, they have to be registered with VOSA. Normal Rail Replacement runs don't take fares or issue tickets.

Makes sense - total blonde moment. Ta.

Forgot to mention:
Classic Coaches helped Arriva out with some of the Metro replacement work on Saturday. Photos can be seen below:

- Exterior shot of Classic Coaches' T317 FGN, DAF DB250/Alexander ALX400 (danielgrahamm)
- Exterior shot of Arriva North East's 7461, DAF DB250RS/Alexander ALX400 (danielgrahamm)
- Exterior shot of Classic Coaches' T319 FGN, DAF DB250/Alexander ALX400 (danielgrahamm)

In other news - disruptions this week...

9th March - No trains Byker to North Shields
All day Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will be running in the affected area. During the work platform 1 at Byker will be closed. Please leave extra time for your journey.
]url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/nexus.org.uk/files/documents/planned_works/130309%20BYK-NSH%20BUS%20STOPPING%20POINTS%20(2).pdf]Bus replacement stop locations[/url]
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 9th March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 10th March

Source: www.nexus.org.uk

Disruptions to Metro this week:

17th March - No trains South Gosforth to West Monkseaton
All day Sunday 17 March, to allow for modernisation. A bus replacement will be running in the affected area. Platform 1 at West Monkseaton and Monkseaton will be closed. Trains may not run to the usual timetable and trains from South Shields will terminate at Regent Centre. Your journey may take longer, please leave extra time for travel.
Bus replacement stopping point
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 17th March

Source: www.nexus.org.uk

Disruptions:

24th March - Modernisation work
Modernisation work:
There are no trains running between Kingston Park and South Gosforth in both directions until 12:30. This is to allow for modernisation work.
We are currently operating a bus replacement service, the number 900, calling at or near to all stations between Kingston Park and South Gosforth.

Source: www.nexus.org.uk

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5527589


Published on Monday 25 March 2013 16:18



PLANS to extend the Metro to Washington could finally be on track after councillors unveiled an ambitious blueprint for the region’s development.

I do believe that some of the comments are correct... Why aren't Nexus and Sunderland council thinking about joining the Metro line up to some of the estates it does not currently serve? Admittedly, this would be unidealistic as it would require a lot of hard work and road closures etc for it to be able to happen, but a circular around Sunderland like Newcastle currently has seems like a great idea to me.
Though this could potentially draw customers away from buses, it does provide faster connections for those who require them!

Pop card validators at Metro stations are put through their paces
Return

Nexus, which owns and manages Tyne and Wear Metro, has begun testing its new station validators which passengers will soon be using to access the system using smartcards.

Read more: here

(25 Mar 2013, 6:41 pm)cbma06 wrote http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5527589


Published on Monday 25 March 2013 16:18



PLANS to extend the Metro to Washington could finally be on track after councillors unveiled an ambitious blueprint for the region’s development.

Another pie in the sky story from the Echo. I'll not hold my breath until such a time that I see the green light confirmation.

I noticed in that article it refers to the Metro petition that was done, but to be honest, it was an extremely disappointing turn out for something that ran for 3 months. Not even 350 signatures - a 0.65% turnout if you take the population from the 2001 Census information. Not exactly a great call for a town wanting a 'vital' transport link.

Anyway, the Government (DfT) has already responded to that, and it's just the same bog standard response that they've given to anyone else who has enquired via their MP.

Response from Government (via Hansard): http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...7p0001.htm

Source of Petition signatures (via Washington Star): http://www.washingtonstar.co.uk/news/loc...-1-5502675

When I first saw the story and plans mentioned 15 years ago, I was over the moon.

Since then, The Echo or Chronicle rehash the same old story every couple of years. There was even mention of some sort of tram system from Sunderland to Doxford Park via Silksworth using the route of an old mineral line and trams diverging out of St James metro station towards Elswick and Arthurs Hill in Newcastle once.

Personally (ironic seeing as its the anniversary of the Beeching Report), I would love to see the full stretch of Leamside Line including the link between Penshaw and South Hylton reopened - whether its for Metro or another operator.

Down on the River Wear nr Finchale Abbey in Durham you can still see remnants of the spur between the ECML and the Leamside Line. Not sure how feasible it would be to reinstate that section - but it would introduce a fairly quick rail link between Sunderland and Durham. Seeing as Durham is pressing for a new road link to ease congestion, it might be worth investigating the rail option instead.

For those who aren't aware - there will be no metro trains running between Brockley Whins / Hebburn and Gateshead Stadium all bank holiday weekend from tomorrow through to Monday to allow for modernisation work.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2013/major-...er-weekend

As well as the 900/901 replacement bus services mentioned in the link, there will be a shuttle 902 between Hebburn and Brockley Whins for the SAFC match.

Also not mentioned in the link is the X901, which will be running up to every 15 minutes between Park Lane, Sunderland, Heworth and Gateshead - calling at these stations only. The timetables for these services can be found here -

http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro

The modernisation work between Gateshead Stadium and Brockley Whins/Hebburn is to over-run and as such, the 900 and 901 will be running tommorrow morning from start of service until 9am at present.

New escalators for Gateshead

Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, is investing in six new escalators at its busiest station in Gateshead as part of the £385m Metro: all change modernisation programme.

Read more here.

A reminder that a Metro Replacement bus service is in operation today, until 12:30.

12th May - No trains Monument to Heworth until 1230
On Sunday 12 May, to allow for modernisation work. A frequent bus replacement service will be running. Your journey may take longer so please leave extra time for travel.

27 day Metro Closure between Haymarket and Airport/Four Lane Ends set for to take place during August to replace time-expired trackwork.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2013/major-...ays-august

I'm fairly positive Nexus said in their last major line closure (while repairing/replacing the bridge at Wallsend Metro), that said closure was to be the final major one... Hmm...
Any registrations put in yet?

(23 May 2013, 3:18 pm)Daniel wrote I'm fairly positive Nexus said in their last major line closure (while repairing/replacing the bridge at Wallsend Metro), that said closure was to be the final major one... Hmm...
Any registrations put in yet?

What they said was the Last major closure on the southern half of the North Tyneside Loop, not the last major line closure.

has anyone seen the advert on channel 5 with the metro in it

(29 May 2013, 7:31 pm)daniel p wrote has anyone seen the advert on channel 5 with the metro in it

Can you be more specific? I've not seen it because I don't watch Channel 5 frequently, but would like to YouTube it if possible.

(29 May 2013, 7:34 pm)Daniel wrote

(29 May 2013, 7:31 pm)daniel p wrote has anyone seen the advert on channel 5 with the metro in it

Can you be more specific? I've not seen it because I don't watch Channel 5 frequently, but would like to YouTube it if possible.

its to do with steel works and shows metro going into Gosforth depot Yorkshire bank

16th June - Modernisation work
Modernisation work:
There are no trains running between Airport and Kingston Park in both directions until about 12:30pm. This is to allow for modernisation work.
We are currently operating a bus replacement service, the number 900, calling at or near to all stations between Airport and Kingston Park.

Source: www.nexus.org.uk

Press cuttings from the Washington Star this week. More rambling by Sharon Hodgson.

There's a failed train at Byker causing big delays, and just a quick question does anyone have photos of the old interiors/seat covers??

(20 Jun 2013, 3:25 pm)Wellsey18 wrote There's a failed train at Byker causing big delays, and just a quick question does anyone have photos of the old interiors/seat covers??

Was it similar to the NBC interior? The orange/black waspy look? Vaguely remember it but may have had the Metro logo on it using a similar colour scheme? Sure the seat handles had the Metro logo on too.

The one i remember from being younger was the blue with m signs on them i think?

Oh, thats aureolin showing his age when his (and my) version of old interiors/seat covers are the original seats and Wellsey18's version coming from the 90s.

The waspy brown and yellow with the twpte logo was the REAL 'old' version :p. It was also on the twpte buses too.

I can't find any old interior for the Metro - probably down to how anal Nexus are over photography. Pretty sure there was a similar waspy looking interior that came about after this one, but before the early 90s(?) refurbishments?

It's been a couple of days, so we were to expect some disruption to the Metro network...

2nd July - There are no trains running between Pelaw and South Hylton in both directions until further notice . This is due to a problem with the power supply
There are no trains running between Pelaw and South Hylton in both directions until further notice . This is due to a problem with the power supply.
Go North East are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area. Bus services 9, 26A, 20 operate between Heworth and South Hylton.
We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Just me confused by GNE's 20 supposedly serving South Hylton?
Stagecoach in Sunderland's service 8/10&11/20 would be more appropriate Sunderland - South Hylton, surely?

(02 Jul 2013, 6:28 am)Daniel wrote It's been a couple of days, so we were to expect some disruption to the Metro network...

2nd July - There are no trains running between Pelaw and South Hylton in both directions until further notice . This is due to a problem with the power supply
There are no trains running between Pelaw and South Hylton in both directions until further notice . This is due to a problem with the power supply.
Go North East are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area. Bus services 9, 26A, 20 operate between Heworth and South Hylton.
We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Just me confused by GNE's 20 supposedly serving South Hylton?
Stagecoach in Sunderland's service 8/10&11/20 would be more appropriate Sunderland - South Hylton, surely?

Yeah, they were giving out the same information on the Traffic and Travel on the car radio this morning. It must have been the third or fourth time, before I actually worked out and realised the info was duff.

A newly refurbished metrocar was on the back of a low loader, struggling up the A1 at Doncaster about an hour ago.

If anyone gets their timings right (taking into account any tacho breaks), you will catch it later for a photo opportunity.

More Metro fun in Sunderland this morning..!

5th July - Sunderland is closed and no trains will be stopping at the station until further notice. This is due to a station defect
Sunderland is closed and no trains will be stopping at the station until further notice. This is due to a station defect.
A bus replacement service, the number 901 is in operation calling at or near to all stations between Park Lane and St. Peters.
We will update you once we have more information

Source: www.nexus.org.uk