The original Tyne and Wear Metro fleet operated its last official service on Friday, with passengers and staff expressing mixed emotions as the North East bid farewell to the iconic trains. Nexus, the operator, ran special farewell services throughout the week, marking the end of an era for the Class 599 trains that have served the region for 46 years.
Impressive Statistics Over Decades of Service
Over their operational lifetime, the original Metro trains travelled half a billion kilometres and carried 1.7 billion customers. The fleet's retirement paves the way for a new generation of trains, but the old carriages hold a special place in the hearts of many.
Among those on board the final service was 13-year-old Harvey Beaumont from South Shields, travelling with his mother Katie. He said: "I'm quite excited to be a part of all of this, as the trains have been a huge thing in the North East over the years. I will miss the old trains, I really liked the seats on them, and the fact that they have a front window, so it is things like that which I really enjoyed. When I am older, I will be able to say to people, 'I remember the old Metros' and that is what it is about, they are a piece of history."
Enthusiasts Travel from London to Celebrate
The occasion also drew visitors from outside the region. Mo Mohammed, 19, and Joseph Holder, 21, travelled from London to witness the final day. Both work on the railway and had never visited Newcastle before. Mo said: "We thought that this was a good opportunity to come here to Newcastle, and be a part of something as big as this. We work on the railway ourselves and have seen old trains be taken away, so we know how much of an impact it can have on a community." Joseph added: "We have been on the new ones too and they seem alright, but I think there will always be nostalgia with the old trains for the people here. I think people will realise how much they liked the old ones when they are gone, and look back on how great they were."
Former Nexus Employee Reflects on Legacy
Graham Pearson, 78, who worked for Nexus for 34 years before retiring in 2008, was also on board. He often test-drove the trains at Middle Engine Lane and shared his reflections: "The main bit back then was that we were boldly going where nobody has gone before, as there was nothing like the Metro really at the time. I think with these trains, they were simple, and if there was something wrong you could find out what it was straight away. That said, things do get worn out, and the information on these new trains is a great thing, where you can see what stop you are at on the screen. The main thing that we should celebrate is that the system is here at all, and that is down to visionaries like Tony Ridley, who made that happen for all of us."
Driver's Emotional Farewell
The driver of the final service, Richard Turner, 57, has been driving the old fleet for 26 years. He said: "The old Metro fleet is a legacy, and as a child, I went on the test track, never knowing that one day I would be driving them for real. It is a privilege to have been part of the process and involved in multiple areas, including going to Switzerland to test the new trains as well. There are definitely certain parts of these old trains that I will miss, but the heat is not one of them, and I am very pleased that the new ones have air conditioning. They are for the future, and it is important for the people in the region to be able to get around that they are fully brought in. It will definitely be sad to see them go, but we know that we have to go forward, and next week for me, normal service resumes on the new ones. One thing I wish is that my father was here, he passed away a few years ago, and he would be so proud of me for doing this."
The poignant reflections from those who worked and travelled on the old Metro trains highlight the service's importance to the North East. Nexus's introduction of the new fleet aims to continue this legacy for future generations.
