The current Tyne and Wear Metro fleet is to undergo a major programme of deep cleaning and interior repair works to improve passengers’ experience during the transition to the new trains.
Stadler, which maintains the fleet, has commissioned the works on behalf of Metro operator Nexus.
The work on the 43 year-old rolling stock will include:
- cleaning, resealing and then polishing all carriage floors
- replacing damaged and threadbare seats
- polishing grab poles
- repainting interior panels and windowsills.
Specialist company Diamond Rail Services will carry out all the cleaning and repair works. The company has experience in undertaking deep cleans and carriage refurbishments across the UK railway industry.
Swiss train manufacturer Stadler signed a contract with Nexus in 2020 to build new Metro trains, and has delivered three new trains so far, with more set to arrive later this year. It will build and deliver a total of forty-six new trains.
The Class 555 Stadler train is a bespoke design for Metro and will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it interfaces correctly with signalling systems and other Metro infrastructure. Metro drivers will also start a process of training at the controls of the new train, having begun their training on a simulator.
The new trains have been designed in response to 23,000 individual pieces of feedback from passengers, and will include modern features such as linear seating, charging points, and air conditioning. It will deliver a step-change in accessibility, including an automatic sliding step at every door to enable seamless boarding, making travel easier for Metro’s fifty thousand wheelchair passengers as well as people travelling with children’s buggies, luggage or bicycles. They will also have defibrillators on board.
Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “Both Nexus and Stadler are committed to maintaining and improving the current Metro fleet during the transition to the modern new fleet of trains.
“This deep clean will also include a focus on a series of interior repairs to enhance the comfort and appearance of these 43 year-old carriages.
“This will help to improve the customer experience in the old trains as we get ready to gradually start removing them from service through to 2025, making way for the new Stadler trains, which are going to be transformative for both our customers and our colleagues.”
Responses
Seems an odd idea to spend money on deep cleaning and refurbishing an old fleet of trains that will be completely replaced by 2025
No pleasing some people…..
James, I don’t know where you are coming from? Chris Phillips is correct, it is a somewhat stupid idea to waste money on basically cleaning the old Metro trains.
It’s just a deep clean and tidy up – not some kind of heavy refurbishment. The new trains are not going to be fully in service for at least another year so why not try and make life a bit less miserable for the Metro passengers. God knows they have endured enough misery lately. It’s the classic “why bother because….” attitude you and Chris are displaying which usually ends up being wrong in hindsight.
James, may I ask, Do you live on Tyneside? I do, and the Metro trams break down easily because they are 40 years old. That is also the reason why wasting money on cleaning them is no good. The engineering company trying to keep them going are banging their heads against a brick wall, because parts needed are not made now.
My Uncle is one of the engineers at the depot in Gosforth.