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Metrocar updates and withdrawals - Tyne & Wear Metro

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D1537

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Three days in a row one taken away
68 Monday 24th
78 Tuesday 25th
79 Wednesday 26/08/2026.
Suddenly not hanging around !.

Left to go are 24, 29, 41, 50 & 81 ?.
One more going tomorrow (4029 or 4050).

The other four are apparently being kept for the RHTT trains, although they technically only need three (two for the train, one spare).
 

Paul_10

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Potentially the last time we see metrocars coupled together on the system until the end of the year/early next year when the final trips to Howdon takes place?
 

DGH 1

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Apparently so, and supposedly it's 4050 that is going.
4050 today with grim repaers being cars 41 and 81 again
Thank you both, sorry for the late reply, it's been one of those days.

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The battery locos (BL1, BL2 and BL3) are all being refurbished, so those will be used again from 2028. There is also a rumour that Nexus will be hiring third-party locos in for the 2027 RHTT.
This idea of hiring third party locos in has my brain working overtime, what could they hire in that was suitable?
 
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D1537

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This idea of hiring third party locos in has my brain working overtime, what could they hire in that was suitable?
Would have to be battery-powered (or if diesel, have exhaust scrubbers like the WL locomotives). There's a whole bunch of Class 18s lying around doing nothing...?
 

bramling

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Potentially the last time we see metrocars coupled together on the system until the end of the year/early next year when the final trips to Howdon takes place?

So is the plan that the four remaining metrocars will be disposed off once the autumn season is finished for this year? And is this a fairly set-in-stone plan?

Presumably stating the obvious, but seemingly any likelihood of any further passenger runs is now over?
 

DanNCL

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Fleet list will be updated in due course to show the latest disposals and provide a final last ran date for the full fleet.

There were 89 Metrocars on the network still when I started this thread in early 2023. 3 and a half years later and we’re down to the final 4. We knew it would happen but even then it still feels a bit surreal.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with this list throughout the last three and a half years, this wouldn’t have been possible without you.

It isn’t quite game over for the Metrocars yet though as there’s still this year’s RHTT season to get through. I will endeavour to continue to update this thread with updates on the four retained Metrocars as soon as there are any.

So is the plan that the four remaining metrocars will be disposed off once the autumn season is finished for this year? And is this a fairly set-in-stone plan?

Presumably stating the obvious, but seemingly any likelihood of any further passenger runs is now over?
It’s unclear what the plan is for the four remaining Metrocars after the end of the 2026 RHTT season. They are finished for passenger service though. The final workings were on 26/07/2026, exactly 1 month after the official farewell trip.

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Thank you both, sorry for the late reply, it's been one of those days.

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This idea of hiring third party locos in has my brain working overtime, what could they hire in that was suitable?
Would have to be battery-powered (or if diesel, have exhaust scrubbers like the WL locomotives). There's a whole bunch of Class 18s lying around doing nothing...?
I agree the 18s would make sense.
Does a class 18 move fast enough to run amongst service trains?
Class 18s are not suitable for a number of reasons, the biggest deal breaker being they’re out of loading gauge for the city centre tunnels.

The ex LU Schomas are potentially an option as they have scrubbers and being deep tube loading gauge they’ll fit the tunnels. Very much a subject for another thread though!
 

DGH 1

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Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
383
Location
County Durham
Fleet list will be updated in due course to show the latest disposals and provide a final last ran date for the full fleet.

There were 89 Metrocars on the network still when I started this thread in early 2023. 3 and a half years later and we’re down to the final 4. We knew it would happen but even then it still feels a bit surreal.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with this list throughout the last three and a half years, this wouldn’t have been possible without you.

It isn’t quite game over for the Metrocars yet though as there’s still this year’s RHTT season to get through. I will endeavour to continue to update this thread with updates on the four retained Metrocars as soon as there are any.


It’s unclear what the plan is for the four remaining Metrocars after the end of the 2026 RHTT season. They are finished for passenger service though. The final workings were on 26/07/2026, exactly 1 month after the official farewell trip.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==





Class 18s are not suitable for a number of reasons, the biggest deal breaker being they’re out of loading gauge for the city centre tunnels.

The ex LU Schomas are potentially an option as they have scrubbers and being deep tube loading gauge they’ll fit the tunnels. Very much a subject for another thread though!
Thank you for all the information, would it be possible for days and timings info when the RHTT starts?
 

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