This set of photos has appeared on the BBC news website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/tyne/hi/peo ... 897970.stm
T+W Metro
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
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StoneRoad
- LNER J39 0-6-0
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:05 pm
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Re: T+W Metro
Nice bit of recent history.
Glad to see that the refurbishments are going ahead. (But by road????? yes, I know of several reasons, but it still seems odd to me)
Glad to see that the refurbishments are going ahead. (But by road????? yes, I know of several reasons, but it still seems odd to me)
Saluton. mi estas fervojistino, kaj vi?
visit http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/album
to see what has been done! Perhaps we can do something for you?
visit http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/album
to see what has been done! Perhaps we can do something for you?
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redtoon1892
- GNR C1 4-4-2
- Posts: 736
- Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:41 pm
- Location: GATESHEAD
- Contact:
Re: T+W Metro
Its a shame they are refurbishing the old stock instead of introducing the new stock that was originally proposed.
The old stock is of of poor outmoded design for modern times, you cannot take cycles on board or powered wheelchairs as there is no "guards" type carraige, this disadvantages a fair amount of folk. The line runs to the airport yet the is no provision for luggage and folk stack cases etc in in the space meant for buggys or push type wheelchairs or in the doorways or aisles blocking both up at busy times. There are no toilets on the trains and the ones on the stations are locked up at around 6pm that is if they have been opened at all which is all to common. The escaltors and lifts are forever "out of service" but having said all that the stations are kept very clean, at the moment, but the cleaning staff are about to have their hours cut and staff reduced so wait and see and they have made an effort to brighten Sunderland station up.
When it first opened it was a world class model of transport integration, off the tram and onto the bus, the timetables were harmonised but Thatcher destroyed that with the privatisation and deregulation of the bus companies. I still have my first day ticket and souvenier brochure.
As it has now virtually all been privatised off why is that humongous quango the P.T.E. still in existence in its present bloated form ?
Its like all privatisation schemes, the grandiose pre handover pledges are very soon watered down.
At least that carbuncle multi story car park in the middle of Gateshead is slowly meeting its end and the "Rocket" will soon follow.
Oh well, rant over, I'm off to bed.
The old stock is of of poor outmoded design for modern times, you cannot take cycles on board or powered wheelchairs as there is no "guards" type carraige, this disadvantages a fair amount of folk. The line runs to the airport yet the is no provision for luggage and folk stack cases etc in in the space meant for buggys or push type wheelchairs or in the doorways or aisles blocking both up at busy times. There are no toilets on the trains and the ones on the stations are locked up at around 6pm that is if they have been opened at all which is all to common. The escaltors and lifts are forever "out of service" but having said all that the stations are kept very clean, at the moment, but the cleaning staff are about to have their hours cut and staff reduced so wait and see and they have made an effort to brighten Sunderland station up.
When it first opened it was a world class model of transport integration, off the tram and onto the bus, the timetables were harmonised but Thatcher destroyed that with the privatisation and deregulation of the bus companies. I still have my first day ticket and souvenier brochure.
As it has now virtually all been privatised off why is that humongous quango the P.T.E. still in existence in its present bloated form ?
Its like all privatisation schemes, the grandiose pre handover pledges are very soon watered down.
At least that carbuncle multi story car park in the middle of Gateshead is slowly meeting its end and the "Rocket" will soon follow.
Oh well, rant over, I'm off to bed.