Metrocar updates and withdrawals - Tyne & Wear Metro

[DanNCL]

With the first of the new Stadler units already being at Gosforth, the second unit en-route to Gosforth, and the announcement that the first Metrocar will enter preservation in the next few months, I’ve created this thread to keep track of the outgoing Metro fleet over the next 2 years as it’s withdrawn and units are preserved, scrapped or converted for other uses.

I’ve created a fleet list which I’ll keep updated as regularly as I can.

The fleet situation is very fluid, with changes taking place often several times a week.

Key:
Green - operational
Red - withdrawn
Orange - not operational, may return to service in the future
Blue - Under attention
Purple - non passenger use
Grey - removed from Nexus property but survives
Strikethrough - Scrapped
Units marked with * did not undergo the 2010-2015 Wabtec refurbishment, instead receiving corrosion repairs and RVAR mods at Gosforth between 2018-2020. They were not compatible with the wider fleet in service, however could run together empty. All of these units are now withdrawn.
Units marked with = did not receive the new male auto announcements in 2014-2015 and retain the previous female auto announcements. Announcements are controlled by the leading unit, the announcements installed on the leading unit will play through the full formation.

4001* - Preserved at North Tyneside Steam Railway. Left Gosforth by rail 10/09/2025 hauled by 4056+4069. Withdrawn 18/04/2021
4002* - Left Gosforth by rail 03/10/2023 hauled by 4004+4054, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 08/08/2022
4003 - Left Gosforth by rail 11/06/2025 hauled by 4028+4047, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 14/04/2025
4004 - Left Gosforth by rail 01/10/2025 hauled by 4024+4028, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 01/09/2025
4005 - Left Gosforth by rail 01/12/2025 hauled by 4027+4038, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 17/11/2025
4006 - Left Gosforth by rail 07/10/2025 hauled by 4009+4073, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/09/2025
4007 - Left Gosforth by rail 18/02/2025 hauled by 4042+4086, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 30/05/2024, damaged by tree
4008 - Left Gosforth by rail 21/01/2026 with 4045, removed from Howdon 22/01/2026 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 17/01/2026
4009 - Left Gosforth by rail 16/06/2026 hauled by 4041+4068, removed from Howdn same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 01/05/2026
4010 - Left Gosforth by rail 03/06/2025 hauled by 4045+4056, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 17/05/2022
4011 - Left Howdon by road 20/10/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/09/2025
4012 - Left Gosforth by rail 02/09/2025 hauled by 4035+4078, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 09/06/2025
4013 - Left Gosforth by rail 05/06/2025 hauled by 4039+4049, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 01/05/2025
4014 - Left Gosforth by rail 04/02/2026 hauled by 4032+4041, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 05/01/2026
4015 - Left Howdon by road 05/03/2026 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 15/02/2026
4016 - Left Gosforth by rail 03/04/2025 hauled by 4038+4059, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/03/2025
4017 - Left Howdon by road 18/12/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 30/11/2025
4018 - Left Gosforth by rail 09/06/2025 hauled by 4059+4086, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 04/05/2025
4019 - In training use at Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue HQ, Washington. Left Gosforth by rail 15/09/2025 hauled by 4075+4041. Withdrawn 12/07/2025
4020 - Withdrawn 09/01/2026. Stored Gosforth
4021 - Left Gosforth by rail 10/06/2025 hauled by 4049+4008, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 17/05/2025
4022 - Scrapped at Nemesis Rail, Burton-on-Trent, early 2020 - Withdrawn 30/03/2017
4023 - Left Gosforth by rail 28/01/2026 hauled by 4090+4027, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/12/2025
4024 - last seen in service 22/06/2026
4025 - Left Gosforth by rail 06/06/2025 hauled by 4039+4049, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 22/05/2025
4026 - Left Gosforth by rail 25/02/2026 hauled by 4065+4085, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 18/02/2026
4027 - Left Gosforth by rail 17/06/2026 hauled by 4068+4041, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 10/02/2026
4028 - Left Gosforth by rail 25/11/2025 hauled by 4035+4075, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 18/11/2025
4029 - last seen in service 22/05/2026. Stored Gosforth
4030 - Left Gosforth by rail 04/11/2025 hauled by 4038+4073, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 20/10/2025
4031 - Left Gosforth by rail 11/03/2025, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/11/2024
4032 - Left Gosforth by rail 04/03/2026 with 4071, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 02/02/2026 (used for scrap drags until 05/02/2026)
4033 - Left Gosforth by rail 17/07/2025 hauled by 4068+4061, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 12/06/2025
4034 - Left Gosforth by rail 09/09/2025 hauled by 4020+4061, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 22/06/2025
4035 - Left Gosforth by rail 18/06/2026 hauled by 4041+4068, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 12/05/2026
4036 - Left Gosforth by rail 31/07/2025 by 4023+4075, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 29/06/2025
4037 - Left Gosforth by rail 04/02/2025 hauled by 4032+4053, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 31/08/2023
4038 - Left Howdon by road 15/12/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 09/12/2025
4039 - Left Gosforth by rail 14/01/2026 hauled by 4008+4071, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 27/12/2025
4040* Left Gosforth by rail 04/06/2025 hauled by 4069+4089, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 05/08/2023 - last ran 29/07/2023
4041 - last seen in service 22/06/2026
4042 - Left Gosforth by rail 26/02/2025 hauled by 4068+4071, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 02/01/2026
4043 - Left Gosforth by rail 08/12/2025 hauled by 4038+4075, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/11/2025
4044 - Left Gosforth by rail 16/12/2025 hauled by 4042+4065, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 11/12/2025
4045 - Left Gosforth by rail 21/01/2026 with 4008, removed from Howdon 23/01/2026 by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 23/12/2025
4046 - Left Gosforth by rail 24/11/2025 hauled by 4027+4078, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 20/11/2025
4047 - Left Gosforth by rail 03/11/2025 hauled by 4051+4044, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 29/09/2025
4048 - Left Gosforth by rail 21/08/2025 hauled by 4035+4078, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 22/07/2025
4049 - Left Gosforth by rail 02/12/2025 hauled by 4074+4079, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 28/11/2025
4050 - last seen in service 22/06/2026
4051 - Left Gosforth by rail 09/12/2025 hauled by 4071+4044, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 21/11/2025
4052 - Left Gosforth by rail 11/07/2024 hauled by 4017+4024, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 18/04/2024
4053 - Left Howdon by road 15/12/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 01/12/2025
4054 - Left Gosforth by rail 24/03/2025 hauled by 4029+4038, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 10/11/2024
4055 - Left by road for scrap at EMR Tyne Dock on 28/06/2023. Withdrawn from passenger service 19/08/2020, was in training use until early 2023
4056 - Left Gosforth by rail 29/01/2026 hauled by 4032+4041, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/01/2026
4057 - Left Gosforth by rail 02/04/2025 hauled by 4032+4042, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/03/2025
4058 - Left Gosforth by rail 02/10/2025 hauled by 4069+4020, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 22/06/2025
4059 - Left Howdon by road 06/11/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 29/09/2025
4060 - Left Gosforth by rail 13/04/2026 hauled by 4081+4041. removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon, Withdrawn 31/01/2026
4061 - Left Gosforth by rail 14/04/2026 hauled by 4024+4035, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 25/02/2026
4062 - Left by road for scrap at EMR Tyne Dock on 29/06/2023. Withdrawn from passenger service 22/09/2020, was in training use until early 2023
4063 - Left Gosforth by rail 27/08/2025 hauled by 4079+4068, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/06/2025
4064 - Left Gosforth by rail 25/03/2025 hauled by 4043+4085, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/02/2025
4065 - Left Gosforth by rail 02/02/2026 hauled by 4050+4024, removed from Howdon following day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 14/03/2026
4066 - Left Howdon by road 21/10/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 04/10/2025
4067 - Left Gosforth by rail 30/09/2025 hauled by 4051+4071, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 20/08/2025
4068 - Last seen in service 22/06/2026
4069 - Left Gosforth by rail 03/06/2026 hauled by 4050+4024, removed from Howdon following day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 25/10/2025
4070 - Left Gosforth by rail 22/05/2024 hauled by 4032+4073, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 12/05/2023
4071 - Left Gosforth by rail 04/03/2026, used as a shunter at Howdon until 13/03/2026 when removed from Howdon by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 03/03/2026
4072 - Left Gosforth by rail 18/07/2025 hauled by 4049+4068, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 24/05/2025
4073= - Left Gosforth by rail 15/01/2026 hauled by 4061+4090, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 10/01/2026
4074 - Left Gosforth by rail 10/12/2025 hauled by 4075+4038, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 02/12/2025
4075 - Left Howdon by road 11/12/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 09/12/2025
4076 - Left Gosforth by rail 06/02/2025 hauled by 4006+4058, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 01/11/2022
4077 - Left Gosforth by rail 28/05/2024 hauled by 4023+4054, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 10/02/2023
4078 - Last seen in service 22/06/2026
4079 - Last seen in service 28/03/2026. Stored Gosforth
4080 - Left Gosforth by rail 06/10/2025 hauled by 4069+4020, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 28/09/2025
4081 - Last seen in service 22/06/2026
4082 - Left Gosforth by rail 13/03/2025 hauled by 4004+4063, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 26/11/2024
4083* - Left Gosforth by rail 05/10/2023 hauled by 4042+4049, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 29/07/2023
4084 - Left Gosforth by rail 14/03/2025 hauled by 4071+4089, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 26/11/2024
4085 - Left Gosforth by rail 15/06/2025 hauled by 4068+4041, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 09/04/2026
4086 - Left Howdon by road 05/11/2025 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 16/09/2025
4087 - Left Gosforth by rail 15/02/2026 with 4090, removed from Howdon by road 12/03/2026 for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 09/02/2026
4088 - Left Gosforth by rail 21/05/2024 hauled by 4008+4058, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 29/06/2023
4089 - Left Gosforth by rail 05/02/2026 hauled by 4032+4041, removed from Howdon same day by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 15/01/2026
4090 - Left Gosforth by rail 15/02/2026 with 4087, removed from Howdon 18/02/2026 by road for scrap at J Denham Metals, Shildon. Withdrawn 11/02/2026

Stats:
Operational: 6 units (24/41/50/68/78/81)
Under attention: 0 units
Stored Gosforth: 2 units (29/79)
Stored Howdon: 0 units
Non-passenger use: 0 units
Withdrawn, still on Metro network: 1 unit (20)
Scrapped: 79 units (02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/21/22/23/25/26/27/28/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/37/38/39/40/42/43/44/45/46/47/48/49/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64/65/66/67/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/76/77/80/82/83/84/85/86/87/88/89/90)
Preserved: 1 unit (01)
Misc not on metro network: 1 unit (19)

Battery locos:
BL1
BL2 - stored at Gosforth
BL3 - stored at Gosforth

Fleet list updated 22/06/26 - Overdue update. 09, 27, 35, 60, 61, 65, 69 and 85 have been scrapped. 29 and 79 are stored.

Spoiler: Change log (fleet list)

30/04/23 - 15, 16, 48, 68, 69 and 89 have all returned to service.
05/05/23 - 03 has returned to service.
08/05/23 - 01 and 10 have moved to avoiding line, 20 and 46 have moved to main depot, 08, 21 and 59 have returned to service, 28,29,30,35,74,86 under attention, 60 and 76 presumed withdrawn.
11/05/23 - 28,29,30,35,74,86 have returned to service.
22/05/23 - 12 and 61 have moved back to Gosforth under their own power for further storage after a period of storage at Howdon. 04, which was under attention, is once again stored. 07, 34 and 70 are stored at Gosforth. 77 is missing components. 01 has been vandalised.
24/05/23 - 07 has returned to service.
07/06/23 - 03 and 42 are under attention, both have electrical faults. 84 is believed to be stored and is now marked accordingly.
10/06/23 - 03, 12, 42 and 84 have returned to service.
28/06/23 - 55 has left Howdon to be scrapped at EMR Tyne Dock.
29/06/23 - 62 has left Howdon to be scrapped at EMR Tyne Dock. 13 is under attention following accident damage. 20 is earmarked for preservation at Beamish and now presumed withdrawn. 41 and 47 are not expected to return to passenger use.
07/07/23 - 46 and 64 have returned to service after an extended period in storage. 18 and 78 have been stored. Storage locations of units at Gosforth depot changed in connection with ongoing demolition work.
08/07/23 - error corrected, 18 and 78 are not stored and remain operational.
13/07/23 - 25 has returned to service.
28/07/23 - 04 has returned to service after an extended period in storage.
31/07/23 - 64 and 80 have been stored. 20 is missing components.
16/08/23 - 40 and 83 have been withdrawn. 19, 56 and 88 are stored. 38 and 90 are under attention.
23/08/23 - 90 has returned to service.
10/09/23 - 13, 19, 38 and 56 have returned to service. 64 has moved from the avoiding line to Gosforth (main depot), remains in store.
03/10/23 - 02 has been dragged to Howdon and removed by road the same day for scrap. 63 is stored at Gosforth. 46,48,58,59,79,84 are under attention.
13/04/24 - overdue update, 46, 48, 58, 59 and 84 have returned to service, 83 has left for scrap, 37 and 42 are stored, movement of some stored units from avoiding line into main depot.
21/05/24 - 88 has left for scrap. 25, 51, 69 and 72 are stored. 33 was stored for at least 6 months but is back in service. 11 has spent a period out of action but is back in service.
30/05/24 - 70 and 77 have left for scrap. 07 likely withdrawn, severely damaged by tree impact. Avoiding line now clear of units, all units stored at Gosforth are now within depot confines. Added scrapyard details for 02, 83 and 88.
31/05/24 - Having been stored for over 12 months, 34 and 61 are now marked as withdrawn. 52 has been stored. 49 is under repair after impact with a tree.
11/07/24 - 52 has left for scrap. 20 has returned to service after an 18 month absence having previously been presumed withdrawn, following this some of the other long term absentees previously marked as withdrawn will instead be marked as stored. 29 has been stored. 42 and 69 have returned to service. 41 and 47 have moved to Gosforth and are now stored.
24/12/24 - overdue update, 25, 29, 34, 41, 47, 49, 60 (after more than 2 years oou), 61, 63, 64, 72 and 80 have all returned to service. 87 is stored. 22 units stranded South of the Tyne by Gateshead tunnel closure, list updated to show which units are which side of the Tyne.
10/01/25 - Units no longer stranded south of the Tyne, list updated accordingly. BL1 has returned to departmental use after an extended period of storage. 46, 50, 56 and 60 are stored.
15/02/25 - 37 and 76 have been scrapped. 50, 51, 56, 60 and 87 have returned to service. 31, 45, 82 and 84 are stored.
21/02/25 - 07 has been scrapped.
11/03/25 - 31 has been scrapped.
13/03/25 - 82 has been scrapped. 84 is expected to be the next to be scrapped and is now marked as withdrawn.
14/03/25 - 84 has left Howdon by road for GCS Johnson’s yard at Barton Park Truck Stop.
26/03/25 - 54 and 64 have left for scrap. 84 now presumed scrapped.
01/04/25 - 57 has been withdrawn.
02/04/25 - 57 has been scrapped.
30/05/25 - overdue update, 16 has been scrapped, 03, 13, 18 and 30 are stored, 45 and 46 have returned to service.
03/06/25 - 10 has been scrapped.
04/06/25 - 40 has been scrapped.
05/06/25 - 13 has been scrapped. 21 and 27 are stored.
06/06/25 - 25 has been scrapped. 73 has been stored.
14/06/25 - 03, 18 and 21 have been scrapped. 27 and 73 have returned to service.
07/08/25 - 33, 36 and 72 have been scrapped. 04, 05, 12, 14, 19, 29, 34, 38, 41, 42, 48, 58, 60 and 63 have been stored. 30 has returned to service. 81 has had male announcements fitted leaving 73 as the last unit to retain female announcements.
11/09/25 - 01 has left for preservation. 12, 34, 48 and 63 have been scrapped. 26, 45 and 67 have been stored. 04, 05, 14, 29, 38, 41, 42 and 60 have returned to service.
14/09/25 - 19 has been withdrawn. BL2 is stored.
01/10/25 - 04 and 80 have been withdrawn. 67 has left for scrap. 19 has been donated to Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue. 05, 08, 11, 42, 53 and 86 are stored.
07/10/25 - 04, 06, 58 and 80 have been scrapped. 47, 56, 59 and 85 are stored. 26 and 53 have returned to service.
20/10/25 - 11 has been scrapped. 59, 66 and 86 have been withdrawn and are already at Howdon depot pending disposal. 30 is stored. 08, 56 and 85 have returned to service. 23 and 78 are in use on the railhead treatment train and marked as 'non-passenger', neither having carried passengers in the last three weeks.
08/11/25 - 30, 47, 59, 66 and 86 have been scrapped. 42 and 45 have returned to service, 05 returned to service for one day and is now out of use again. 26 and 69 are stored.
30/11/25 - 28 and 46 have been scrapped. 05 has made another brief return to service and is now stored again. 44 is on the Rail Head Treatment Train and accordingly marked as non-passenger use. 26 has returned to service, 78 has returned to passenger service after two months on the Rail Head Treatment Train. 20, 24, 38, 43, 51, 60, 71, 73 and 90 are stored.
04/12/25 - 05 and 49 have been scrapped. 20, 38, 71, 73, 74 and 90 have returned to service, 23 and 44 have returned to passenger service after use on the Rail Head Treatment Train. 45 is stored.
11/12/25 - 43, 51, 74 and 75 have been scrapped. 24 and 45 have returned to service. 17 and 53 are stored.
14/12/25 - 29 is stored.
19/12/25 - 17, 38, 44 and 53 have been scrapped. 29 has returned to service. 60 and 73 are stored.
02/01/26 - 73 has returned to service. 09, 23, 45 and 78 are stored.
14/01/26 - 39 has been scrapped. 73 has been withdrawn. 78 has returned to service. 14, 29 and 42 are stored.
15/01/26 - 73 has been scrapped. 45 has been withdrawn. 29 has returned to service.
24/01/26 - 08 and 45 have been scrapped. 14 and 20 have been withdrawn. 29, 56 and 89 are stored. 09 and 85 have returned to service.
16/02/26 - 14, 23, 56 and 89 have been scrapped. 09, 87 and 90 have been withdrawn. 15, 32, 50, 61, 65, 68, 71, 81 and 85 are stored. 29 and 60 briefly returned to service and are now stored again.
19/02/26 - 90 has been scrapped.
22/02/26 - 09 is NOT withdrawn and has returned to service. 35, 65, 68, 71 and 85 have returned to service.
31/03/26 - 15, 26, 32, 42, 71 and 87 have been scrapped. 27 and 69 are withdrawn. 61 made a brief return to service and is now stored again. 65 is stored. 29, 50 and 81 have returned to service. 35 has been fitted with a class 555 pantograph head for testing, remains in passenger service.
22/06/26 - Overdue update. 09, 27, 35, 60, 61, 65, 69 and 85 have been scrapped. 29 and 79 are stored.

Any updates to this list would be greatly appreciated

Credits:
Contributors to this thread, the Tyne & Wear Metro Photography Facebook group and the Metrowatch Discord server.

 

[Paul_10]

It's only speculation but I would not be surprised if one of those metrocars could be 4010, not seen that one for a good while whilst on visits up there and it does not seem to of been photographed/videoed.

Another one could be 4076, I saw a photo on the main metro Facebook group of 4076 and 4001 in the old heavy lifting shop with a notice in the window(same with 4001) which suggests spare parts have been removed so this one could be withdrawn.

There was a metrocar I noticed in the video of the new unit being shunted into the depot with door buttons missing, could be either of the 2 above or another unit.

With 555004 coming in soon, in theory this is the last new unit that can come in without any old trains leaving if my maths is right and if the plan is still of 1 in and 2 out.

 

[DanNCL]

Update on non-operational units.

Thanks to gen on Facebook, the following units are stored non-operational: 4002, 4043, 4053, 4059, 4060, 4061 and 4076. All other metrocars apart from 4001 remain part of the operational fleet.

I’ll update the opening post shortly.

 

[Paul_10]

Update on non-operational units.

Thanks to gen on Facebook, the following units are stored non-operational: 4002, 4043, 4053, 4059, 4060, 4061 and 4076. All other metrocars apart from 4001 remain part of the operational fleet.

I’ll update the opening post shortly.

Does that mean those units won't see service again or just out of use for maintenance etc.

Also are 4041/47 still in shields?

 

[DanNCL]

Does that mean those units won't see service again or just out of use for maintenance etc.

Also are 4041/47 still in shields?

Those units are long term out of use and have been dumped out of the way on the depot avoiding line. Doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll never return to service, but they won’t be seeing service any time soon. Some may have donated parts to keep the rear of the fleet running.

Interestingly 10 isn’t on the stored line at Gosforth, so is either inside the shed or remains part of the operational fleet and somehow managing to avoid us all!

41+47 returned to Gosforth within the last few days and will return to use in the regular fleet if they haven’t already. They’ll soon be replaced at Shields by one of 5003 or 5004. 55 and 62 are staying at Shields.

40+83 have now completed their twelfth consecutive day on full length diagrams, without any faults. The MTIN for that pair must be considerably higher than what we’re used to seeing from any of the fleet to have lasted this long!

 

[Olympian]

40+83 have now completed their twelfth consecutive day on full length diagrams, without any faults. The MTIN for that pair must be considerably higher than what we’re used to seeing from any of the fleet to have lasted this long!

Indeed - I got an unexpected treat to catch them back home from Airport on Thursday evening and apart from zero saloon heating in 4083 they seemed to be running just fine.

 

[Paul_10]

4010 is on road 13 at Gosforth depot looking at the photos of 555004 being delivered this morning, whether it's in active use who knows.

Just a question when you say there is metrocars on the depot avoiding line, you mean the line behind the depot or the one where 4001 is? I'm assuming you are meaning the former.

 

[DanNCL]

Indeed - I got an unexpected treat to catch them back home from Airport on Thursday evening and apart from zero saloon heating in 4083 they seemed to be running just fine.

No saloon heating on either of them.

They're back on the Airport line again today too, if they complete the diagram they'll be on 13 consecutive days in service and without any failures.

4010 is on road 13 at Gosforth depot looking at the photos of 555004 being delivered this morning, whether it's in active use who knows.

Presumably either under attention or donating parts then. If the latter one could potentially expect it to appear on the avoiding line in due course.

Just a question when you say there is metrocars on the depot avoiding line, you mean the line behind the depot or the one where 4001 is? I'm assuming you are meaning the former.

Yes, the former. The line that was used occasionally with the old depot to allow trains to run direct from Regent Centre to Longbenton without running through the depot itself.

 

[phillogie@tisc]

With the first of the new Stadler units already being at Gosforth, the second unit en-route to Gosforth, and the announcement that the first Metrocar will enter preservation in the next few months, I’ve created this thread to keep track of the outgoing Metro fleet over the next 2 years as it’s withdrawn and units are preserved, scrapped or converted for other uses.

I’ve created a fleet list which I’ll keep updated. Any Metrocar without a note next to it on the list is believed to be operational.
At the time of writing there is a lineup of non-operational Metrocars stored on the Gosforth depot avoiding line - as I find out the identities of these units I’ll update the list.

Key:
Green - operational
Red - withdrawn
Orange - not operational, may return to service in the future
Blue - Under attention
Strikethrough - Scrapped


4001 - to be preserved at the North Tyneside Steam Railway. Only compatible with 4002, 4040 and 4083
4002 - stored at Gosforth. Only compatible with 4001, 4040 and 4083
4003
4004
4005
4006
4007
4008
4009
4010
4011
4012
4013
4014
4015
4016
4017
4018
4019
4020
4021
4022 - Scrapped at Nemesis Rail, Burton-on-Trent, early 2020 - last ran in July 2017.
4023
4024
4025
4026
4027
4028
4029
4030
4031
4032
4033
4034
4035
4036
4037
4038
4039
4040 - unrefurbished. Only compatible with 4001, 4002 and 4083
4041
4042
4043 - stored at Gosforth
4044
4045
4046 - stored at Gosforth
4047
4048
4049
4050
4051
4052
4053 - stored at Gosforth
4054
4055 - training unit at South Shields
4056
4057
4058
4059 - stored at Gosforth
4060 - stored at Gosforth
4061 - stored at Gosforth
4062 - training unit at South Shields
4063
4064
4065
4066
4067
4068
4069
4070
4071
4072
4073
4074
4075
4076 - stored at Gosforth
4077
4078
4079
4080
4081
4082
4083 - unrefurbished. Only compatible with 4001, 4002 and 4040
4084
4085
4086
4087
4088
4089
4090

Updated 13/03/23 - 4046 has joined the storage line at Gosforth

Any updates to this list would be greatly appreciated

4043 has now been restored to operational status as i travelled on it to St James last night

 

[Tramfan]

So has 4061, saw this today in service with 4049

 

[DanNCL]

4043 has now been restored to operational status as i travelled on it to St James last night

So has 4061, saw this today in service with 4049

List updated, thanks!

 

[Fleetmaster]

So 4001 is going back home, in a sense...

Tyne & Wear Metro test track © Dr Neil Clifton cc-by-sa/2.0

The Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive pioneered the use of modern light rail in Britain when they built their Metro system, which was converted from unwanted ex-British Rail lines, connected by tunnels under central Newcastle. When the first car, No 4001, arrived, it had to be tested, so...

www.geograph.org.uk

I wonder how many billions of pounds Nexus would charge to install a bit of wiring....

 

[hacman]

So 4001 is going back home, in a sense...

Tyne & Wear Metro test track © Dr Neil Clifton cc-by-sa/2.0

The Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive pioneered the use of modern light rail in Britain when they built their Metro system, which was converted from unwanted ex-British Rail lines, connected by tunnels under central Newcastle. When the first car, No 4001, arrived, it had to be tested, so...

www.geograph.org.uk

I wonder how many billions of pounds Nexus would charge to install a bit of wiring....

No reason they'd have to get Nexus to do it, though it's not so much the installation as the operating costs that would be the killer here.

Not to mention the admin required in maintaining an appropriate safety regime for an exhibit that is almost entirely volunteer run.

 

[DanNCL]

I wonder how many billions of pounds Nexus would charge to install a bit of wiring....

No reason they'd have to get Nexus to do it, though it's not so much the installation as the operating costs that would be the killer here.

Not to mention the admin required in maintaining an appropriate safety regime for an exhibit that is almost entirely volunteer run.

It would be a lot easier than running a 25kV heritage railway would be both for cost and for the safety case. Metrocars could actually run on a standard 750v tramway overhead supply without modification, although they'd be very sluggish!

The bigger issue for getting 4001 running again is that it's missing a lot of electrical equipment that won't be restored before it moves to Middle Engine Lane. The work taking place at Gosforth is only enough to make the unit fit to be dragged to Howdon, not enough for it run under its own power.

 

[hacman]

It would be a lot easier than running a 25kV heritage railway would be both for cost and for the safety case. Metrocars could actually run on a standard 750v tramway overhead supply without modification, although they'd be very sluggish!

The bigger issue for getting 4001 running again is that it's missing a lot of electrical equipment that won't be restored before it moves to Middle Engine Lane. The work taking place at Gosforth is only enough to make the unit fit to be dragged to Howdon, not enough for it run under its own power.

Sadly, the safety case between 1500v DC and 750v DC isn't much different and is still somewhat onerous. It still increases the amount of work taken to administer the safety regime by orders of magnitude.

There would still be a requirement to get HV power to the site and purchase transformers and control gear. This sort of kit is rarely available used/donated, instead being almost entirely custom-made.

This also doesn't consider the actual power costs too, and the regular maintenance and inspection of the supporting infrastructure - this is one of the most significant issues, as this sort of hardware can't just be left to run and patched when it breaks. Proactive work is required.

You then also must consider that the railway needs to be secured differently after having been electrified - suddenly where you have previously just had mid-height wire fencing may need to be re-secured with full-height palisade, bridge parapets need to be at minimum heights, etc, and even more minor matters like vegetation clearance become much more critical.

Once all this is addressed, the volunteer/public liability insurance arrangements the museum has would also need to be reviewed and will get more expensive as a result.

The missing electrical equipment is the smaller concern, as there will be plenty of parts available once the rest of the fleet starts to meet its fate.

I would genuinely love to see the museum be able to run 4001 under its own power again, but it is very unlikely this will be possible unless they find a way to convert it to battery power or find themselves on the receiving end of an incredibly significant financial windfall. The most we can likely hope for is that it will be given a shore-supply for its static exhibit, and maybe shunted about once in a while.

 

[DanNCL]

Sadly, the safety case between 1500v DC and 750v DC isn't much different and is still somewhat onerous. It still increases the amount of work taken to administer the safety regime by orders of magnitude.

There would still be a requirement to get HV power to the site and purchase transformers and control gear. This sort of kit is rarely available used/donated, instead being almost entirely custom-made.

This also doesn't consider the actual power costs too, and the regular maintenance and inspection of the supporting infrastructure - this is one of the most significant issues, as this sort of hardware can't just be left to run and patched when it breaks. Proactive work is required.

You then also must consider that the railway needs to be secured differently after having been electrified - suddenly where you have previously just had mid-height wire fencing may need to be re-secured with full-height palisade, bridge parapets need to be at minimum heights, etc, and even more minor matters like vegetation clearance become much more critical.

Once all this is addressed, the volunteer/public liability insurance arrangements the museum has would also need to be reviewed and will get more expensive as a result.

The missing electrical equipment is the smaller concern, as there will be plenty of parts available once the rest of the fleet starts to meet its fate.

I would genuinely love to see the museum be able to run 4001 under its own power again, but it is very unlikely this will be possible unless they find a way to convert it to battery power or find themselves on the receiving end of an incredibly significant financial windfall. The most we can likely hope for is that it will be given a shore-supply for its static exhibit, and maybe shunted about once in a while.

For the national network yes. But the North Tyneside Steam Railway is officially a light railway so would be able to use tramway standard equipment and would be able to have a similar safety case as a heritage tramway.

Not that any of this really matters as 4001 won't run under its own power again. If any metrocar runs under its own power in preservation it'll be one of the production fleet, and either on the Metro network or in an environment like Beamish, not on a heritage railway. Just using Beamish as an example, not suggesting Beamish actually acquire a metrocar.

 

[Fleetmaster]

Just using Beamish as an example, not suggesting Beamish actually acquire a metrocar.

Well, they're already up to the fifties, and building a trolleybus system.

I can see them bagging a couple of units, perhaps lending them to other museums until they have built (and are ready) to represent the era. They could model the mid 70s, accounting for why there is only a single track. Only issue might be that the Beamish site is getting very congested.

I was only joking about the wires, but it is notable that the OLE on the test track looks far more basic than the real thing.

I genuinely fear for this country when our preservation ambitions stop when a thing s merely difficult and expensive. In times past, times that may yet return, you could apply for a grant to cover the upfront costs. And they have a good case too - the historical link to the test track, the relevance to the wider region, the ground-breaking nature of the Metro and the proximity to volunteers with useful knowledge.

Hope they don't have to fight for cash with Beamish!

 

[bramling]

For the national network yes. But the North Tyneside Steam Railway is officially a light railway so would be able to use tramway standard equipment and would be able to have a similar safety case as a heritage tramway.

Not that any of this really matters as 4001 won't run under its own power again. If any metrocar runs under its own power in preservation it'll be one of the production fleet, and either on the Metro network or in an environment like Beamish, not on a heritage railway. Just using Beamish as an example, not suggesting Beamish actually acquire a metrocar.

Having a metrocar pushed or pulled around by a diesel loco would work for me, though I realise there’s logistical challenges involved in that. It’s not like they make a particularly distinctive or throaty sound when under power anyway.

 

[typefish]

Having a metrocar pushed or pulled around by a diesel loco would work for me, though I realise there’s logistical challenges involved in that. It’s not like they make a particularly distinctive or throaty sound when under power anyway.

Take inspiration straight out of Stadler's own catalogue and stick a shunter between two metrocars.

 

[Fleetmaster]

Is there any information out there on any other museums officially expressing interest in preserving a unit?

The system deserves recognition as being pretty unique and very important to railway history, albeit perhaps not as inspirational as it should have been. All good fodder for museums.

 

[Bigchris]

Evening all,
I assume the original list at the top of this thread is still correct as I've not heard new info over the last few weeks. I just wanted to ask those of you familiar with the Metro if you could advise on any good public access vantage points for Gosforth depot, especially the stored units, and if the 2 units at South Shields are visible to the public? It doesn't look too obvious from Goggle Maps but I'm not familiar with the area at all, in fact it's over 20 years since I last visited Newcastle, but should be up there next week with a morning to spare and wanted to make the most of it and see as many Metro units as possible before they all go.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Cheers, Chris.

 

[Tramfan]

4053 is back in service, think that's the only change from the list above. The Nexus Learning Centre (South Shields) units stored inside the shed building, so are not visible, but a lot of the out of service cars are visible outside Gosforth Depot when travelling between South Gosforth and Regent Centre

 

[Bigchris]

4053 is back in service, think that's the only change from the list above. The Nexus Learning Centre (South Shields) units stored inside the shed building, so are not visible, but a lot of the out of service cars are visible outside Gosforth Depot when travelling between South Gosforth and Regent Centre

Thanks very much for the info. It's pretty hard to tell the exact view to expect right now at Gosforth from looking on Google, the current image shows lots of building work and street view doesn't get close enought. Thought South Shields may be the case as you've described, I suppose the only opportunity to see the units now would be by chance and go up there when the doors are open. Thanks again, fingers crossed I manage to tick some of them off next week.

 

[Class142sbad]

I seen 4001 between Regent Centre and South Gosforth.

 

[DanNCL]

4053 is back in service, think that's the only change from the list above.

List updated, thanks.

Evening all,
I assume the original list at the top of this thread is still correct as I've not heard new info over the last few weeks. I just wanted to ask those of you familiar with the Metro if you could advise on any good public access vantage points for Gosforth depot, especially the stored units, and if the 2 units at South Shields are visible to the public? It doesn't look too obvious from Goggle Maps but I'm not familiar with the area at all, in fact it's over 20 years since I last visited Newcastle, but should be up there next week with a morning to spare and wanted to make the most of it and see as many Metro units as possible before they all go.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Cheers, Chris.

Thanks very much for the info. It's pretty hard to tell the exact view to expect right now at Gosforth from looking on Google, the current image shows lots of building work and street view doesn't get close enought. Thought South Shields may be the case as you've described, I suppose the only opportunity to see the units now would be by chance and go up there when the doors are open. Thanks again, fingers crossed I manage to tick some of them off next week.

I've just updated the list at the top of this thread so it's now correct to the best of my knowledge.

The majority of the stored units at Gosforth are on the Depot Avoiding Line, so called as it allowed empty stock and originally BR freight to pass Gosforth depot without having to run through any of the depot roads. On Google maps it's the track closest to Cheswick Drive, and is now the only surviving line from the original depot. Most of the old depot as seen on Google Earth has now been demolished and what's left of it is undergoing demolition.
Between Cheswick Drive and the Depot Avoiding Line for some of it's length is a publicly accessible grassed area, the track runs immediately behind the fence. Any stored units not on the depot avoiding line are either immediately outside the new depot building which is best viewed from a passing Green Linne train between Regent Centre and South Gosforth (although your ability to identify units there will be limited), or inside the building out of sight.
There's also a footbridge across the east throat of the depot but with the current rebuild underway you'll not see many units at that end, the last time I was there all that was visible at the east end was one of the newly delivered Stadler units.
A few units are parked at Howdon depot during the day, these are units from the operational fleet and are best viewed from passing Yellow line trains between Percy Main and Howdon. They're easier to identify from a passing train than those at Gosforth but it'll be difficult to identify all of them if there are several of them there.

The two units inside the Nexus Learning Centre are usually kept inside. It's just about possible to see them through a window visible from an adjacent footpath but visibility is poor.

I seen 4001 between Regent Centre and South Gosforth.

4001 has been stored outside the new shed at Gosforth depot for a while and won't be returning to service.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2023 ==

Is there any information out there on any other museums officially expressing interest in preserving a unit?

None have publicly expressed interest. Unofficially I know of one other museum who are actively interested in preserving a Metrocar but I can't at the current time name them, if they're succesful it'll become public knowledge soon enough.

 

[Bigchris]

Thanks for the detailed info, very useful indeed. I'll be up to visit next week arriving Wed evening and then have to be away again by lunchtime on Thu but from what you've said that should be enough time to see anything of interest.

 

[DanNCL]

Todays Railways are reporting that Beamish have expressed an interest in acquiring a Metrocar for static display.

Beamish isn’t the museum I was aware of so there’s potentially two more museums in addition to the North Tyneside Steam Railway hoping to preserve a Metrocar.

Thanks for the detailed info, very useful indeed. I'll be up to visit next week arriving Wed evening and then have to be away again by lunchtime on Thu but from what you've said that should be enough time to see anything of interest.

If you’re travelling in the evening you’ll want to stay on the central core of the network. The rest of the network has an issue with anti social behaviour in the evenings. The Airport branch isn’t too bad but I wouldn’t want to be hanging around any of the intermediate stations on that line after dark. The same goes for the Green line between Pelaw and Sunderland, and the Yellow line between Pelaw and South Shields. I’d stay well clear of the Yellow line around the coast loop and the Green line between Sunderland and South Hylton in the evenings.

 

[bramling]

Todays Railways are reporting that Beamish have expressed an interest in acquiring a Metrocar for static display.

Beamish isn’t the museum I was aware of so there’s potentially two more museums in addition to the North Tyneside Steam Railway hoping to preserve a Metrocar.


If you’re travelling in the evening you’ll want to stay on the central core of the network. The rest of the network has an issue with anti social behaviour in the evenings. The Airport branch isn’t too bad but I wouldn’t want to be hanging around any of the intermediate stations on that line after dark. The same goes for the Green line between Pelaw and Sunderland, and the Yellow line between Pelaw and South Shields. I’d stay well clear of the Yellow line around the coast loop and the Green line between Sunderland and South Hylton in the evenings.

So pretty much everything apart from Central to South Gosforth!

 

[Bigchris]

If you’re travelling in the evening you’ll want to stay on the central core of the network. The rest of the network has an issue with anti social behaviour in the evenings. The Airport branch isn’t too bad but I wouldn’t want to be hanging around any of the intermediate stations on that line after dark. The same goes for the Green line between Pelaw and Sunderland, and the Yellow line between Pelaw and South Shields. I’d stay well clear of the Yellow line around the coast loop and the Green line between Sunderland and South Hylton in the evenings.

Thanks for the heads up, I'd seen some of the other comments on the forum recently. I don't have any plans to be travelling by that time in the evening, I'll be enjoying a few beers by that point

 

[DustyBin]

So pretty much everything apart from Central to South Gosforth!

And even that section isn’t immune!