Metro services have resumed after a fault on the Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) blocked both lines on a section of track for several hours on Thursday 22 October. No trains ran in either direction between Heworth and Brockley Whins and between Heworth and Jarrow throughout rush hour and into the afternoon.
Fault on leaf-clearing train causes disruption
The disruption began when the RHTT developed a fault on the line between Pelaw and Heworth at around 7.50am. The RHTT is used during autumn to reduce issues with low rail adhesion by clearing leaf debris from the track and applying adhesion-improving gels. It is hauled by one of the original Class 599 Metro carriages.
Passengers were advised that Metro tickets and passes could be used on some Go North East and Stagecoach bus services while the fault was being dealt with.
Services resume after maintenance issue
Services resumed at 12.27pm. Stuart Clarke, Infrastructure Director at Nexus, said: "Metro services have resumed on our Green Line between Heworth and Brockley Whins, and on our Yellow Line between Heworth and Jarrow, following an issue with a maintenance vehicle early this morning, Thursday 22 October. Services in the affected areas resumed at 12.27pm."
Clarke added: "The unit which developed the fault was our Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) which is used during the autumn to reduce issues with low rail adhesion. The RHTT is hauled by one of our original Class 599 Metro carriages, one of only four such trains that we have left. Unfortunately, the train developed a fault on the section of line between Pelaw and Heworth at around 7.50am. We're sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers."
