British Rail Class 555
| British Rail Class 555 | |
|---|---|
| Conceptual image of new trains Artists impression of the new train | |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rheintal AG[1] |
| Built at | Erlen, Switzerland[2] |
| Family name | METRO |
| Replaced | Tyne and Wear Metrocar |
| Constructed | 2021– |
| Entered service | Expected in 2023 |
| Number under construction | 46 |
| Formation | 5 cars per unit |
| Capacity |
|
| Operators | Tyne & Wear Metro |
| Depots | |
| Lines served |
|
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Train length | 59.9 m (196 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2,650 mm (8 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 3,445 mm (11 ft 3.6 in) |
| Floor height | 940 mm (3 ft 1 in) |
| Doors |
|
| Wheel diameter | 720 to 645 mm (28.35 to 25.39 in) (new – worn) |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Maximum speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Weight |
|
| Axle load | 12.5 t (12.3 long tons; 13.8 short tons) |
| Traction system | IGBT–VVVF |
| Power output | |
| Tractive effort | 140 kN (31,000 lbf) (starting) |
| Acceleration | 1.35 m/s2 (4.4 ft/s2) (starting) |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | 2′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′2′ |
| Braking system(s) |
|
| Safety system(s) | |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Seating | Longitudinal |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from [4] except where otherwise noted. | |
The British Rail Class 555[5] is a new class of electric multiple unit that will be used on the Tyne and Wear Metro, replacing the original Tyne and Wear Metrocar rolling stock from 2023.
History
In 2016, the Metro operator Nexus, announced a consultation to determine the views of its customers in the design of its planned new fleet of trains.[6] At the time, the operator had completed a life-extending refurbishment on its existing fleet that was intended to take it up to its planned life-expiry date, which was estimated for the early to mid 2020s. Following this consultation, Nexus began the procurement process to purchase a new fleet of trains, with its initial proposal for a total of 42 units, each of five cars, to replace the 89 existing sets, with an option to order another four units to cope with passenger demand.
In January 2020, Nexus selected Stadler Rail's Metro platform as the basis for its new trains.[7] Two months later, Nexus received funding for an additional four units, taking the total up to 46.[8]
Construction and commissioning
Construction of the first Class 555 units is scheduled to begin in August 2021, with delivery planned for the first unit to be delivered in November 2022 for testing and commissioning around the Metro network. Two units will be extensively tested at a test track, based in Velim in the Czech Republic. The first commissioned unit is due to enter the service in July 2023.[5]
In December 2021, Nexus revealed that the Metro fleet had entered the final assembly phase at Stadler’s factory in Switzerland and that the manufacturer is in the process of fitting the main interior components of the first of the new trains. The works include the installation of wheels, seats, equipment cases, piping, wiring, flooring, windows and other internal furnishings.[1]
Design
The Class 555 is a variant of Stadler's Metro multiple unit platform, with changes specifically optimised for the Tyne and Wear Metro network. In September 2020, Nexus undertook a second public consultation to ask for opinions on how the interior of the new trains should be designed, related to the seating, grab poles and space for bike racks. At the same time, Nexus' drivers were consulted on the design of their cabs using virtual reality software,[9] and in March 2021, took delivery of a physical cab mock-up built by ROBUR Prototyping in Chemnitz, Germany and shipped to the Gosforth Depot. A cab consultation period was carried out between March and April 2021 with over 200 operational staff taking part.[10] Unlike the previous fleet, which had only a half-width driver's cab at each end, with the other half occupied by passenger seating, the new units will have a full-width driving position.[11][4]
The new trains will be five cars long in fixed formations, with a Jacobs bogie between the inner cars. One centre car will be fitted with a Brecknell Willis pantograph to draw the power from the 1,500 V DC overhead lines. They will also be fitted with regenerative braking technology for greater energy efficiency, and a battery energy storage system that will allow the trains to remain powered and reach the nearest station if the overhead lines fail. This offers the potential to be used on routes that are not fitted with overhead lines that may be added to the network in the future.[4]
The trains will feature specially designed retractable steps at the doors, which are designed to bridge the gap between the train and the platform. They will have an overall capacity of 600 persons, with 104 seats,[3] specially designed easy access areas and have state-of-the-art CCTV, a new passenger information system, WiFi Internet access, USB charging points and (for the first time on Tyne and Wear Metro) air conditioning throughout the saloon.
Infrastructure upgrades
To facilitate the delivery of the new fleet, Nexus has commissioned work to replace or modify several aspects of the network. These have included the total demolition and rebuilding of the Metro Fleet Depot in Gosforth, requiring construction of a new temporary depot at Howdon to provide alternative stabling and maintenance facilities whilst Gosforth Depot is rebuilt. Raising or lowering the track at 40 of the network's 60 stations to facilitate use of the new door system is required, costing a total of £2 million. This work was started in October 2020.[12]
References
- ^ a b "Stadler starts final assembly of the first new Metro train". Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Holland, Daniel (22 September 2022). "Footage shows new £362m Tyne and Wear Metro trains moving for the first time at Swiss test track". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
A video released by Metro operator Nexus shows a completed train running through manufacturer Stadler's testing facility in Erlen, before it is sent to a bigger track in the Czech Republic where some Metro drivers will get the chance to drive it for the first time.
- ^ a b c "Metro Futures Webinars Q&A" (PDF). Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b c Metro EMU - Nexus, Tyne and Wear, UK (PDF). Bussnang: Stadler Rail Group. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ a b "New Metro trains to be known as Class 555s". Today's Railways UK. No. 232. Sheffield: Platform 5. June 2021. p. 19.
- ^ "Metro's new train fleet". Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Stadler to build Tyne & Wear metro fleet". Metro Report International. Railway Gazette. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Rail in the 2020 budget". Rail Business UK. Railway Gazette. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Nexus and Stadler - one year on". Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Metro drivers step on board a full-size replica of their new trains". Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. 2 March 2021.
- ^ Powell, Jonathan; Fraszczyk, Anna; Cheong, Chun Nok; Yeung, Ho Ki (2 December 2016). "Potential Benefits and Obstacles of Implementing Driverless Train Operation on the Tyne and Wear Metro: A Simulation Exercise". Urban Rail Transit. 2 (3–4): 114–127. doi:10.1007/s40864-016-0046-9. S2CID 54941241. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Nexus is carrying out a £2m project to get platforms ready for new Metro trains". Nexus. Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. 10 October 2020.
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