The final original Tyne and Wear Metro trains are being retired this month, marking the end of an era for the North East's transport system. The last passenger journeys are scheduled for the week of June 22, after nearly half a billion kilometres of service since 1980.
Retirement of the Original Fleet
The trains, originally built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham, were designed for a 30-year lifespan but lasted 46 years. In recent years, they faced reliability issues, breakdowns, and difficulty sourcing replacement parts. Now, as the new Stadler trains take over, the old fleet is being phased out.
Scrapping and Recycling
The vast majority of the 90 train cars are being sent to a specialist scrapyard in Bishop Auckland. There, materials like copper and steel are stripped and recycled, with metals shipped to Spain, India, Turkey, and Asia. A train can be dismantled in under an hour.
Preserved for History
Two trains are being retained as historical artefacts. Metro carriage 4001, the network's first train, has been donated to the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside. Another carriage, originally destined for Beamish Museum, will go to a different local museum instead.
Other Uses
One train has been donated to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for firefighter training. A couple more may be kept for maintenance purposes, such as towing the Rail Head Treatment Train used to clear leaves from tracks in autumn.
Community Plans Abandoned
Nexus had hoped to donate some carriages to community groups for use as classrooms, hubs, or food destinations, but abandoned the plan in 2023 due to high costs and logistical challenges. Michael Richardson, Nexus' head of fleet and depot replacement, stated: "This proved too complex and expensive – and not a justifiable use of public money."
He added: "The original Metro trains have served us well, but they are now close to being completely phased out. The week commencing June 22 will be the last guaranteed period that customers can travel on one." Nexus thanked the community groups who showed interest in the project.
