(23 May 2015, 4:43 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote I'm led to believe that the Metrocar refurbishment programme has been completed.

Apart from 4001/4002...

(23 May 2015, 6:43 pm)northern156 wrote Apart from 4001/4002...

And 4040 and 4083 which won't be refurbished. 

No idea how T&WM can justify running a Saturday service on a Bank Holiday.

Currently heading to Sunderland with one passenger: me!

(25 May 2015, 5:14 am)Dan wrote No idea how T&WM can justify running a Saturday service on a Bank Holiday.

Currently heading to Sunderland with one passenger: me!

The other side is usually quite busy on a bank holiday morning. Heworth to Newcastle anyway.

(25 May 2015, 5:14 am)Dan wrote Currently heading to Sunderland with one passenger: me!

To be honest, I wouldn't want my own personal Metrocar.   It would probably break down within reach of Pelaw.

Refurbished Emirates 4038 just left Pelaw heading to South Shields, for anyone wanting photos of it.

I'm able to find it no bother during the week but no doubt when it comes to me being out, I won't be able to find it!

Am I right in suggesting that some Metros have had their destinations updated? The font used on some I've seen recently appears to be a lot "tighter" than in the past.

There are no trains running between Four Lane Ends and West Monkseaton in both directions, this is due to a failed train. We will update you once we have more information.

(26 May 2015, 6:33 am)Dan wrote Refurbished Emirates 4038 just left Pelaw heading to South Shields, for anyone wanting photos of it.

I'm able to find it no bother during the week but no doubt when it comes to me being out, I won't be able to find it!

4033.

(26 May 2015, 5:16 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote 4033.

Could have sworn it was 4038... I know this one used to be the East Coast one, but I'd have assumed that it would have lost this livery when Virgin took over, and the train refurbished at the same time?

(26 May 2015, 3:44 pm)Dan wrote Am I right in suggesting that some Metros have had their destinations updated? The font used on some I've seen recently appears to be a lot "tighter" than in the past.

Nope, those are destinations which have not been updated, these updates(e.g South Hylton being in larger font) first occured in 2010 but apart from a few units, then there has not been a lot of changes. 

And it would be 4033 you saw, 4038 has got the fleet livery.

(26 May 2015, 10:58 pm)Bus_User wrote Nope, those are destinations which have not been updated, these updates(e.g South Hylton being in larger font) first occured in 2010 but apart from a few units, then there has not been a lot of changes. 

And it would be 4033 you saw, 4038 has got the fleet livery.

Thanks! Was going to say that I preferred (what I thought were) the old destinations - ie the ones that are more spaced out!

My eyes must have been deceiving me, what with it being the first day back on that Metro since last Thursday!

Just passed 4025 which was on a lorry, heading in the Silverlink direction from Moor Farm roundabout on the A19, where will that be going /coming from?

(27 May 2015, 8:32 am)mb134 wrote Just passed 4025 which was on a lorry, heading in the Silverlink direction from Moor Farm roundabout on the A19, where will that be going /coming from?

It might be going to get refurbished or it could have just been refurbished

4025 is the last Metrocar to be refurbished and it was arriving at North Shields ready for BL1 and BL2 to take it to South Gosforth.

Battery Locomotives BL2 and BL1 are seen here running light to North Shields.


Tyne and Wear Metro: Battery Locomotive BL2 by Tommy Simms, on Flickr

Did anyone ever hear back about the railtour?

(28 May 2015, 2:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote Did anyone ever hear back about the railtour?

Nope. Not a thing.

4002 & an Emirates Un Refurbished Metrocar are out.

National rail strike to affect Metro services Pelaw-South Hylton

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/nation...uth-hylton

(29 May 2015, 1:25 pm)Michael wrote National rail strike to affect Metro services Pelaw-South Hylton

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/nation...uth-hylton

Wonder if GNE will provide extra buses on the 56/X36?

(29 May 2015, 4:33 pm)Tom wrote Wonder if GNE will provide extra buses on the 56/X36?

They've got two weeks notice to organise a replacement bus service between Pelaw and South Hylton. It shouldn't be left to a commercial operator to take the risk putting extra buses on.

(29 May 2015, 4:42 pm)aureolin wrote They've got two weeks notice to organise a replacement bus service between Pelaw and South Hylton. It shouldn't be left to a commercial operator to take the risk putting extra buses on.

It says:


''No replacement bus service will be in operation between Pelaw and South Hylton and passengers travelling in the affected area advised to plan their journey in advance, or by calling Nexus on 0191 20 20 747.''

(29 May 2015, 4:45 pm)Tom wrote It says:


''No replacement bus service will be in operation between Pelaw and South Hylton and passengers travelling in the affected area advised to plan their journey in advance, or by calling Nexus on 0191 20 20 747.''

I'd say the point still remains, but if they've made the decision not to provide a replacement bus service, I don't think they can expect bus operators to pick up the slack commercially. Especially given the compensation Metro will get from Network Rail.

(29 May 2015, 4:51 pm)aureolin wrote I'd say the point still remains, but if they've made the decision not to provide a replacement bus service, I don't think they can expect bus operators to pick up the slack commercially. Especially given the compensation Metro will get from Network Rail.

Yeah exactly but I can't see them doing anything. 

(29 May 2015, 4:56 pm)Tom wrote Yeah exactly but I can't see them doing anything.

There is also the prospect of conflict between union members striking on Network Rail, but fellow union members being asked/told to drive services, that will ultimately assist the tocs - negating the impact of the strike.
Can't see that going down too well.

(29 May 2015, 5:01 pm)Andreos1 wrote There is also the prospect of conflict between union members striking on Network Rail, but fellow union members being asked/told to drive services, that will ultimately assist the tocs - negating the impact of the strike.
Can't see that going down too well.

I'm 100% behind the strike, but we should be clear that the target is not the Tyne and Wear Metro system. Also secondary strike action is outlawed in the UK, so if they were asked to do it, and it's within the remit of their job description or a reasonable request, they'd have little choice unfortunately.  

(29 May 2015, 5:04 pm)aureolin wrote I'm 100% behind the strike, but we should be clear that the target is not the Tyne and Wear Metro system. Also secondary strike action is outlawed in the UK, so if they were asked to do it, and it's within the remit of their job description or a reasonable request, they'd have little choice unfortunately.

It has knacked my plans up for the week big style, but like you I agree about thr reasons behind it.
It is just unfortunate that punters on the metro are hit, when a tiny portion of their network is being affected.

(29 May 2015, 5:10 pm)Andreos1 wrote It has knacked my plans up for the week big style, but like you I agree about thr reasons behind it.
It is just unfortunate that punters on the metro are hit, when a tiny portion of their network is being affected.

Aye I know. That's why I thought Metro would have used the NR compensation to pay for the replacement bus service. 

(29 May 2015, 5:20 pm)aureolin wrote Aye I know. That's why I thought Metro would have used the NR compensation to pay for the replacement bus service. 

I'm afraid Andy Clifford agrees with you...

https://www.facebook.com/mymetrotw/photo...28/?type=1&comment_id=981967201822518&offset=0&total_comments=27&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D

It's interesting that network rail provides train companies with a document stating when it's there fault they have to reimburse the train company affected, so where is that money going on those days not towards bus replacement,

(29 May 2015, 5:23 pm)Dan wrote I'm afraid Andy Clifford agrees with you...

https://www.facebook.com/mymetrotw/photo...28/?type=1&comment_id=981967201822518&offset=0&total_comments=27&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D

At least he can provide GNE's social media team with the hourly traffic reports throughout the strike action.