(22 Jul 2013, 10:57 am)Kuyoyo wrote(22 Jul 2013, 10:31 am)BJ10VUS wrote I think they should halt the refurbishment programme for the trains and just buy the new trains ASAP. I know it's easier said than done, but it would create jobs and probably persuade people to use the Metro system, rather than deter them.
Ok then, are you prepared to pay a hugely increased fare to pay for such trains. The reason they are refurbishing the old and not buying new is that the bulk of the £385million Government grant is mainly for the infrastructure. Hence why the stock is being refurbished not replaced.
Personally, my hope is that the stock will be replaced once Network Rail and the DfT agree to the electrication of the Durham Coast Line, which would then mean the wires between Pelaw and Sunderland world have to be increased to 25kv AC from the current 1500v DC. Replacing the current trains with Metro-style EMU instead of purpose built stock as now.
The stock would still need to be 'purpose-built', so to speak, due to diameter of the tunnels running through Gateshead and Newcastle and also the loading gauges at Metro stations. I asked a similar question in the past and that's the response I received from Nexus (although a bit more detailed). Unless you're suggesting that if the Durham Coast Line were electrified, the Metro should be curtailed back to Pelaw on that section of line?
aureolin wroteThere's a refurbished Metrocar broken down between Illford Road and South Gosforth. It's stuck in the sidings being worked on.
Oh dear.
