Class 555 Metro trains undergo special crush load testing programme

A series of special tests have been taking place to ensure that the Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains perform correctly at their full customer capacity. The crush laden testing checks that the new trains work as they should do when the carriage is full. It has involved one of the new units being loaded with 39 tonnes of ballast to simulate a maximum customer loading. Containers of sand were used to replicate the weight of a full carriage before the train was put through its paces on a series runs across the Metro network during the night.

Nexus, the public body which manages Metro, said that the tests went well, and it was another step towards getting the first Class 555 train into full customer service. Stadler is working with Nexus on this latest phase of the testing and commissioning, which covers nearly every single component on the trains.

Head of Fleet and Depot Replacement Programme at Nexus, Michael Richardson, said: “Crush load testing is a critical part of getting the first new Metro trains ready for our customers. The test ensures that the train can perform safely and correctly when it is full. This was replicated by loading the carriage up with almost 40 tonnes of ballast cartons and then putting it through its paces on the system. We checked how it performed under braking and on the curves when its full capacity was replicated. I am pleased to say all the crush laden tests went well and the new train performed as exactly we expected it to We are going through around 90,000 different checks and are leaving no stone unturned as we get the first train ready to welcome customers next year."

There are around 19,000 hours of training time, with the full new train fleet of 46 trains needing to complete 37,000 km as part of the fault free running phase of the project. There are around 22,000 standards and clauses to comply with and 480 staff to train up. The testing process is to ensure that the new trains work safely and seamlessly with Metro’s 60 stations and 77 km of track.