*Doors + MORE* New Tyne and Wear Metro Class 555015 @ St James On Test [2]

[@metrotyler]

Correction about beginning text, we got permission to use *555015's* doors, not 13. My bad.

[@PaulM_aka_4c21]

I feel very old, had a ride on the first test train back in the late 70’s before the metro opened and now their replacements 40+ years later.

[@Andrewjg_89]

I cannot wait to see these new Tyne and Wear Metro Class 555s coming into service from next year.

[@gazzagazza8733]

Should be running before the end of this month 🙏🤞

[@jackthegamer3065]

Got on one today ​@@gazzagazza8733

[@davidgraham6781]

Aye then hopefully afterwards we can get new locations around the Tyne Wear area for the new metro 🚇 trains to go. 😂

[@edificity]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing - great to get an up close view of the door opening and the sounds

[@metrotyler]

@@edificity Thanks Edi! It was very exciting and the staff were super nice! ☺️

[@danielsellers8707]

Looks like a cross between the original Tyne & Wear Metro trains and the Merseyrail 777:-)

[@pineappleroad]

I still haven’t managed to see one in person (but there again I haven’t been on the metro much in the past year) With a bit of luck I might see one within the next 24 hours

[@metrotyler]

@@pineappleroad 555020 is operating the yellow line today.

[@pineappleroad]

@ Saw it at Northumberland Park at 8am (And i managed to get on it by getting off the train i was on and waiting for the next one, twice)

[@davidgraham6781]

It looks very nice with new seat 💺 designs and brighter lights etc. God knows how much Nexus has forked 🍽️ out for this. 😆 Anyway after 44 years of the Metro 🚇 it is time to bring out a 21st Century version. 😆

[@metrotyler]

They've forked out £362m officially.

[@davidgraham6781]

@@metrotyler Blimey! 😂 😆 Anyway they should spend that money 💰 on perhaps extending the metro 🚇 to Durham,Washington etc. 😂

[@metrotyler]

@@davidgraham6781 Well money is essentially garnered via government business cases. The government business case for Washington is submitted and if taken on board, will indeed extend the Metro to Washington in presumably the next 10 years

[@davidgraham6781]

@@metrotyler Well let's hope so. New trains 🚂 and hopefully new locations around Tyne and Wear for the metro 🚇 to go to. 😂

[@ta-dahh]

We need a service to the west end of the city. The north south and east are all catered for, whilst we have been left out since day 1.

[@nathanrickard]

Nice PACIS system!

[@petersmith9470]

Coloured flashing lights ideal for epilepsy suffers. Wonder what they'll be like after 45 years just like the bolt on carriages in service today

[@metrotyler]

I assume you're being sarcastic about the flashing. During its design phase, it was faster but was reduced in speed to accomodate exactly for epilepsy. That should mean that the lights will remain safe for sufferers of epilepsy. Epilepsy is also often triggered by dark to light flashing which isn't the case here as the 555s are quite well lit. Hopefully they aren't forced through 45 years of service but there is an official Stadler maintenance contract that is to be upheld for 35 years so at least for that time period, they should be running quite gracefully.

[@welshmanjasonpatrick8607]

ther look similar to new Mersey metro trains great see them on testing

[@metrotyler]

@@welshmanjasonpatrick8607 Same producers yeah. Both are yellow

[@ameeraman1840]

🥹 I can’t believe that the class 555 is going to be in service!

[@ameeraman1840]

These are the routes on the 701

[@arvinrblx]

that was a loud announcement!

[@RWL2012]

horn/siren-type speakers, the white ones you can see on the roof. also there were two announcements - one at 3:58 and another at 7:01

[@metrotyler]

@@RWL2012 They're similar to that of megaphones

[@Lighting_Desk]

Im itching to see these in service after testing.

[@metrotyler]

@@Lighting_Desk Same, shouldn't be too long!

[@journeysofjames1116]

Do the announcements play both inside and outside at the same time or is there a setting for them both individually if you know what I mean

[@metrotyler]

@@journeysofjames1116 From what I've heard, both, but it isn't easy to tell because the loudspeaker is quite loud. Likely the driver can assign it as and when needed

[@CM_Railways]

yes you can select either inside or outside announcements on the drivers cab screen thing. iv did it before

[@ameeraman1840]

Waterloo-Windsor 9 Jan 2024 Waterloo-Shepperton September 2023

[@ameeraman1840]

1:13 door chime like: 777, 717, 800, 801, 802, 803, 805, 807.

[@madm4tty]

Morrisons could have sponsored it for not much extra effort

[@LAMF25]

40 years on and it looks the same inside as the old tired trains.

[@Matty12333]

The exterior design isn't that much different to the old trains, apart from the new cab ends and step on the doors.

[@ZG0002]

If it's not broke why fix it? They serve a purpose and are comfortable enough for how long you are on them but also easy to keep clean and maintain. It's a balance that's likely about right with the current metro.

[@LAMF25]

@@ZG0002 Come off it, the current reliability is terrible. Delays and trains out of service every day. And they are filthy inside. The trains are overcrowded at peak times and having less seats won't help this.

[@ameeraman1840]

And of course, I have not been on it

[@CM_Railways]

have you not been on it yet?

[@mickgriffiths9982]

So when are they supposed to be starting

[@metrotyler]

@@mickgriffiths9982 this month

[@ameeraman1840]

My train testing is…

[@ameeraman1840]

THE CLASS 701

[@Matty12333]

When are they coming into service? Nexus said it was end of 2024

[@hopperelec]

Looks like it's going to be next Sunday, the 15th

[@metrotyler]

Rumoured 15th, no actual announced date. Nexus are fairly confident it'll be before the new year for the first unit.

[@scubasmog]

Late. Very late.

[@metrotyler]

@@scubasmog it's still 2024 lol

[@scubasmog]

@@metrotyler I was referring to the initial proposed date for introduction to service which I believe was 2023. Hence very late.

[@TC-qd1zw]

Why are so many needed to sit and do nothing but look at their phones. Why the waste of public funds.

[@metrotyler]

@@TC-qd1zw I don't understand what you're trying to say but it's absolutely not a waste of public funds, it's a long needed replacement for trains as old as 50. They're being tested for a reason.

[@TheSquareTiger]

Lol I’ve never been on the metro in Newcastle but why does Newcastle have a metro, does it stop at further places that buses can’t get to?

[@metrotyler]

@@TheSquareTiger Why does the London Underground exist when buses go everywhere? Simple answer: it allows you to get around better and efficiently. Newcastle has a lot of people trying to get to the coast or into the city centre and the Metro connects a lot of east-end urban areas. It's quite useful but could really do with being extended

[@stephenvarty191]

It should have continued from St James right through the West End, but I can't see that ever happening now with all of those tall buildings with deep foundations in the way!

[@PaulM_aka_4c21]

It connects three major cities in the northeast, Sunderland, Gateshead and the toon to the coast and beaches at Whitley Bay and South Shields

[@stephenvarty191]

@@PaulM_aka_4c21 Gateshead isn't classed as a city, just town, and looking at the state of the town centre, it's easy to see why!! And I live in Gateshead!

[@Paul-gp6ol]

You're just jealous of the shiney new Metros

[@RiverTyne]

I would like to know how many seats there are compared to the old trains as it looks like they are doing away with seats and just making more space to stand, with next to nothing to hold onto or rest against.....anyone ever seen cattle hearded in them trucks to their slaughter ?

[@metrotyler]

​​@@RiverTyne 128 seats on the old trains, 108 on the new ones. There are two grab poles every 2-3 seats, 2 carriages have ceiling poles throughout and you can lean on the side panels. There are double poles by the doors also.

[@andsomeenery2964]

Can see an awful lot of elderly people having to stand as there is a distinct lack of seating, absolutely ridiculous.

[@alanphillips5853]

far more accessible and easier to get to a seat with these designs than the 40 year old non compliant stock - if youve ever visited the capital you will see the design works quite well - in fact there is far more room for elderly with walking aides because of the layout as opposed to having to clamber through 3 other peoples legs

[@ameeraman1840]

Matty12333,