Metrocar updates and withdrawals - Tyne & Wear Metro

[NorthEastern]

T121 - 4050+68

Brilliant

 

[A S Leib]

This might be better as its own thread; a mini museum will be set up in Monument metro station, partly in commemoration of the Metrocars.

A former Tyne and Wear Metro ticket office is to be turned into a museum to remember the network's history.

The former travel shop at Monument station in Newcastle was closed in 2015 and has remained empty, despite a previous attempt to turn it into a micropub.

The unit will now be turned into a museum to tell the story of the Metro, with the pop-up exhibit featuring archive photographs dating back to the construction of the rail system in the 1970s.

 

[DGH 1]

I don't suppose there are any metrocars out today?

 

[390Trains]

I don't suppose there are any metrocars out today?

Not yet, no.

 

[RyanT15]

I don't suppose there are any metrocars out today?

Nope! But 4020 has made it to NELSAM. BBC was also there incase anyone wants to watch 4020 it will be BBC look notth at 17:15

 

[DGH 1]

Not yet, no.

Nope! But 4020 has made it to NELSAM. BBC was also there incase anyone wants to watch 4020 it will be BBC look notth at 17:15

Thank you both, I'm glad 4020 has finally found a new home.

 

[StoneRoad]

Pleased about 4020, well done NELSAM.

The place is on my "needs another visit" list, and that might just bump it up a bit !

 

[tez thorn]

4019 isn't officially in preservation as it's with the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service in Washington. However, I think it's unlikely to be making a one way trip to Denhams for some time.

Well, erm, about that...

Unfortunately, she's so well known for bothering people that even the CSAs knew who it was when I complained. I also have a formal complaint in with Nexus about how it was handled.

As for what happened, a few of us ended up getting into an argument with the CSAs and their subcontracted security staff (who are presumably more used to working in environments where photography is banned, such as warehouses). They basically said that we weren't allowed to use "professional cameras" and could only take pictures using our phones (even though nobody, as far as I could tell, had a telephoto lens, tripod or anything else similarly bulky). Most people ignored that and thankfully none of them could be bothered to stop the hoard of spotters with cameras.

Oh, and then I had a debate with them as they tried to accuse me of going past the yellow line, which I categorically hadn't done.

All of this whole fiasco was because some people were pushing it earlier on in the week, climbing on the wall, going along the ramp, etc. Obviously they shouldn't have done this, but I felt the Nexus staff and their subcontracted security were a bit overly authoritarian. It's like they'd never done anything to entertain the spotters before, as the 555s entered service with a lot less fanfare. I don't think they realised that announcing the last Metrocar services so far in advance meant that people would end up travelling from all across the country to get one last ride on them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2026 ==


The Class 555 air conditioning is great when the drivers set it to the correct settings. When they do, it's lovely and cool. When they don't, it's hell due to not having any openable windows.

I didn't even mention 4019

 

[390Trains]

I didn't even mention 4019

You didn't, but what I was trying to say is that 4019 hasn't been scrapped. If anyone wants to see it, it'll likely be around for a couple of decades. I just wanted to let people know that it's not just 4001 and 4020 that are going to be saved from the scrapyard.

Sorry for being unclear with my wording.

 

[tez thorn]

I love the defiance of the old girls though
Nexus: last guaranteed day 26/06/26
Metrocars: say's who, hold our beers

 

[D1537]

Assuming one doesn't sneak out later, there will certainly be no more on the Green Line, as their PRM exemption to use the stations on Network Rail infrastructure expires tonight.

 

[Paul_10]

I love the defiance of the old girls though
Nexus: last guaranteed day 26/06/26
Metrocars: say's who, hold our beers

Well there was the disclaimer that said there could be metrocars out after that date and that week was the last guaranteed week too see one.

According to discord members, it seems the PRM exemption is for the whole system and not just the Sunderland section and that runs out tonight so one may assume that is the end of the line for them now and it makes sense why Nexus did the special service all of last week.

Hopefully some get kept for RHTT so it won't be the end of seeing them run around the system excluding the last journey to Howdon.

 

[390Trains]

t seems the PRM exemption is for the whole system

It is. Here's a link to the exemption.

If you look at the tables, both Table 1 and Table 2 include stations on Nexus infrastructure. 3(a)(iv) in the exemption order specifically mentions Tynemouth, for example.

This exemption could still be renewed if Nexus write to the Department for Transport, but I'm not sure how likely they are to do this, and how likely the DfT are to grant an extension to it. They, in theory, have enough 555s to run the full service (28 trains), even with some out of action for maintenance or driver training, so I'm not sure if they can justify asking for one. That's coming from someone who likes the Metrocars and is sad to see them go, but also understands the accessibility limitations.

There's a separate authorisation that is rumoured to run out at midnight, in addition to the PRM exemption, and that's their authorisation to run on Network Rail infrastructure (i.e between Pelaw Junction and South Hylton). Once that authorisation lapses, the Metrocars will need special permission to run on Network Rail infrastructure. I imagine that Tyneside IECC are going to work quite quickly to remove the double blocking once the Metrocars are unable to run on their infrastructure, as the 555s meet the appropriate crashworthiness standards.

 

[Steddenm]

Due to the closure of the line this morning between Heworth and South Shields/South Hylton due to a maintainance vehicle breaking down, I'm guessing none of the 599s will be out and about.

 

[JJ Henry]

599s in South Gosforth depot, with 4050 and 4024 just arrived in after doing the farewell run.
4050 and 4020 departing Regent Centre to go it the depot after doing an extra diagram. Both of these being taken place 22nd.

Does anyone know the name of the driver who did the farewell run on the 22nd?

 

[tez thorn]

If you're meaning the 26th, he's called Richard, but for privacy, i wont share his full name

 

[D1537]

If you're meaning the 26th, he's called Richard, but for privacy, i wont share his full name

I wouldn't worry, there was an article in the Chronicle which interviewed him, with a big picture of him in front of a Metrocar and of course giving his full name.

 

[390Trains]

Does anyone know the name of the driver who did the farewell run on the 22nd?

The driver on the 22nd was called Alan, but I don’t know his surname. Absolute legend of a driver, really friendly and accommodating to enthusiasts.

 

[NorthEastern]

599s in South Gosforth depot, with 4050 and 4024 just arrived in after doing the farewell run.
4050 and 4020 departing Regent Centre to go it the depot after doing an extra diagram. Both of these being taken place 22nd.

Does anyone know the name of the driver who did the farewell run on the 22nd?

These are great pics, both good in their own different ways. Thanks for posting!

 

[390Trains]

none of the 599s will be out and about

No 599s were out on the system today.

Indeed, it's unlikely that they'll run again. Their PRM exemption expired at 2am this morning, and unless it's renewed, Nexus are breaking the law if they send one out in passenger service. If Nexus anticipate having enough 555s to run the full service, I doubt they're going to bother asking the DfT for an extension.

 

[D1537]

No 599s were out on the system today.

Indeed, it's unlikely that they'll run again. Their PRM exemption expired at 2am this morning, and unless it's renewed, Nexus are breaking the law if they send one out in passenger service. If Nexus anticipate having enough 555s to run the full service, I doubt they're going to bother asking the DfT for an extension.

Yes, I strongly suspect that those of us that were on 4050+4068 on Monday evening may have been the last ones to have the 599 experience, which will probably please the young lass that came and sat opposite me and practically disappeared into the seat when the cushion collapsed on her.

 

[Paul_10]

In the least surprising news, 4020 has been tagged but as I said it's not very surprising when it's stored outside, probably no security at night and there's been a big deal made out of it towards the press.

Bizzarely the owner of the place decided to have a rant about it on the photography group and actually put photos of the graffiti online, why?!

Personally they should of kept this preservation more under wraps and probably should of actually had an indoor building to store it in. The metrocars are already corroded badly so leaving it open to the elements won't be helpful.

 

[DGH 1]

In the least surprising news, 4020 has been tagged but as I said it's not very surprising when it's stored outside, probably no security at night and there's been a big deal made out of it towards the press.

Bizzarely the owner of the place decided to have a rant about it on the photography group and actually put photos of the graffiti online, why?!

Personally they should of kept this preservation more under wraps and probably should of actually had an indoor building to store it in. The metrocars are already corroded badly so leaving it open to the elements won't be helpful.

Little Buggers.

 

[317 forever]

I was hoping the last ones would be 4078 + 4081, but this was not to be.

 

[DGH 1]

I was hoping the last ones would be 4078 + 4081, but this was not to be.

Any particular reason for wanting those two?

 

[317 forever]

Any particular reason for wanting those two?

I had seen reports of them running together.

I associate the years '78 and '81 together for having been great years for music. I liked the idea of associating those numbers together for the final original Metro trains too.

 

[150249]

I had seen reports of them running together.

I associate the years '78 and '81 together for having been great years for music. I liked the idea of associating those numbers together for the final original Metro trains too.

Unfortunately for you music is subjective. Whoever was in charge of allocations could hate the music from those years and he was thinking the exact opposite!

 

[DGH 1]

I had seen reports of them running together.

I associate the years '78 and '81 together for having been great years for music. I liked the idea of associating those numbers together for the final original Metro trains too.

I see, sounds good to me, pun intended.

 

[tez thorn]

I could be completely wrong, but was just sitting in the vape shop in Shields, and a Metro went through the tunnel, it sounded suspiciously like Metrocars

 

[DGH 1]

I could be completely wrong, but was just sitting in the vape shop in Shields, and a Metro went through the tunnel, it sounded suspiciously like Metrocars

What was in your vape haha.