Two of the Tyne and Wear Metro drivers involved in the testing of the new Stadler trains have given a resounding positive reflection on the quality of the trains. John Doughty and Chris Mongan were there on the first tests on 10th May and were amazed at the quality and performance they saw.
Chris Mongan, Metro driver and RMT rep, said: ““It was a big moment for me personally as I’ve been involved with the project for the last three years. These new trains are great for Metro and for the whole region. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity many of us that have been involved and to be able to go out on the new train’s first night of testing on the system was a real privilege.
“I don’t think the test could have gone any better to be honest. We know what the new train is capable of, and we know what a great asset it is going to be. We have watched it grow from a sketch on a piece of paper into the finished product that we see now. We knew it was going to be good, and we know we have taken a light year leap forward, but to actually be on board it, and experience it first hand, was amazing.
“The new train outperformed anything that we could have imagined. The drive was smooth. The braking system was operating perfectly well, and the dynamic braking and power were spot on.”
Jon Doughty, Metro driver and ASLEF rep, added: “The testing is vital to get the new trains ready for customer service. They are testing the brakes at different speeds. Testing the doors. Testing the automatic sliding step. Everything went exceptionally well on that first test run. The train was out on the network for four hours without any major problems. It was an excellent and historic occasion for the Tyne and Wear Metro, and for the North East.
“The torque on the new Stadler train was unbelievable compared to what we are driving at the moment. It’s just a hundred times better. It’s smooth, we have air conditioning, and we have brand new seats in a modern new driver’s cab. It’s just a move the future. We have been driving the same trains for 40 years, and they have technology which is over 40 years old. Going to the new train is like making the switch from a mark one escort to a Lamborghini.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic piece of kit to drive. It’s unbelievable. We are just so excited to actually get behind the wheel of these new trains and drive them, and to welcome customers on board.”
Since that first test run the new trains have made further runs out on the network. This process will continue over the coming weeks and months to prepare the trains for service, with the first due to enter service by the end of the year. So far, three have been delivered to the northeast with more to follow later this year.
Before entering service, and after the initial tests have been completed, drivers will be fully trained on operating the trains (they will complete their first training on a state of the art simulator).