Richard Turner, a 57-year-old driver with 26 years of service at Nexus, expressed his pride in driving the last official service of the old Tyne and Wear Metro trains on Friday. Turner piloted the Class 599 on its final guaranteed journeys, a moment he described as emotional and significant.
Final Journeys and Crowds
Turner drove the Green Line service in the morning and returned for the Yellow Line in the afternoon. Large crowds of railway enthusiasts and Metro superfans gathered to bid farewell to the fleet, which has served the region for 46 years. Despite a mix of heatwave and heavy downpours, the day marked an 'end of an era' for the transport system. Turner brought the last train to Regent Centre at 6pm before returning it to Gosforth Depot.
Driver's Reflections
After the event, Turner said: "I'm proud. It was a bit emotional. It's the end of an era. It was a shift that I thoroughly enjoyed. There were so many people there to see the train." He noted that a subway driver from New York had traveled with his son to witness the occasion, highlighting the train's community significance. "These old trains have served the north east well. They're part of the community and have been for 46 years," he added.
Turner acknowledged the bittersweet farewell: "Sadly, they have come to the end of their service life and we now say farewell and look forward to the new fleet, which is fantastic. The final part of the shift, where I was taking the train through the last few stops, was emotional." He recalled hearing clapping and cheering from his wife and sons along the route, which drove home the day's importance. Turner was selected to drive the train via a ballot: "There was a ballot and it was my name that came out."
Legacy of the Old Fleet
The original Metro trains have carried 1.7 billion customers since entering service in August 1980, covering half a billion kilometres. Friday marked the last opportunity for passengers to sit in the front seats of the old carriages, which Nexus described as a key part of the service's history.
Nexus Managing Director's Comments
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: "It is sad to see the old Metro fleet go. These trains have been real workhorses and they have served the region well for almost 50 years. It's phenomenal they have lasted so long. We now look to the future and our new fleet. We have an exciting future."
