Local communities are being asked to put their proposals forward for new uses for five of the original Metrocars which will be withdrawn from service on the Tyne and Wear Metro network from 2023. Nexus are looking for creative and innovative ideas about how an old train could be transformed into a vibrant public asset with community groups and not for profit organisations to put forward their proposals which will be considered before decisions are made on where to pass the trains to.
The old trains are due to be withdrawn from service between 2023 and 2024 and although two are set to be retained by Nexus to be donated to museums (the press release states that this will be the original Metro prototypes so presumably 4001 and 4002), the rest were due to be sent for scrap but up to five will now be available for community groups.
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, said: “The Metro trains have been real workhorses over the last 41 years but they will start to be phased out from 2023 to make way for our new trains, so it’s fitting that we allow some to be donated for local communities to make use of them. We are seeking expressions of interest and ideas from community groups and non-profit organisations about how a Metrocar might be used somewhere as a public asset once it has been taken out of service. What we need now are creative and exciting proposals from the public as we get ready to say goodbye to the Metro fleet.
“We are giving away up to five Metro trains. The challenge is to get your thinking caps on and consider how you would go about converting a Metrocar to a new use if you were to receive one. Using an old Metro as a valued community space is a very fitting way to commemorate the service they have provided since they entered service over 40 years ago.”
The trains for community use will be made available between August 2023 and December 2024 and groups will not be available to request a specific example. If the group is located within Tyne and Wear and easily accessible for a low loader there will be no extra charge for the delivery although if its not there may be, but this will be negotiated between the two parties.
Stadler are building a fleet of 46 new trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro which will be 15 times more reliable and cut energy consumption by 30% and have modern features including improved internet connectivity, charging points, air conditioning and a step-change in accessibility. The first are due to be delivered by rail in 2023.
- Any groups interested in applying for a train should visit: https://www.nexus.org.uk/community-trains
Surely one should go to York, or part of one, as its the first real light real project in the UK