The service depot for the trains and carriages is in the heart of Newcastle, where the dedicated maintenance team clean and service a total of 90 carriages used on the network. Some of these are now over 1 5 years old, so it is vital for them to be routinely monitored and serviced. Tyne & Wear Metro recently contacted Thornaby based Vixen Surface Treatment for a machine that could effectively clean the "resistance banks", which act as both braking and accelerating systems on the carriages. These banks are made up of small porcelain sections that separate out copper busbars, through which 1 500 volts is transmitted to accelerate and slow down the rolling stock. They can weigh up to 300kg and over time, layers of oil, grease and dust build up-ultimately affecting their performance.
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