With each week the entry into service of the first of the Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains edges closer with the latest milestone seeing one of the trains reach Sunderland for the first time. Whilst it will still be many months before passengers can start to enjoy the new trains this is the latest stage in preparing the trains for an entry into service.
The move of the train to Sunderland took place in the early hours of Saturday 1st July. This was the first time a new train had been on the track between Pelaw and South Hylton and was the first time it had crossed the iconic Monkwearmouth railway bridge in the centre of the city.
With the Metro sharing tracks with national rail services beyond Pelaw the tests took place in conjunction with Network Rail.
Cathy Massarella, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “I’m delighted to say that the new Metro train has completed its first test run on the Sunderland line. This was the first time the new train had been taken on a run through Sunderland, and the first time it had gone across the Monkwearmouth bridge across the River Wear.
“The testing of the new trains is going well, and we are working closely with our colleagues at Stadler so that we can get first new trains into service for our customers. This is a very detailed and vital process of testing ahead of drivers starting their training on the new Class 555 Metro.
“These trains will have to go through a phase of rigorous testing on our network, and all our drivers will need to undertake a period of train handling experience during the implementation phase of the project. Once the trains are in service they are going to be transformative for our customers and our workforce in terms of comfort, quality and reliability.
“Our customers, employees, specialist user groups and trade unions helped to design the new trains as part of a far-reaching consultation exercise that received 23,000 responses. We are getting a bespoke design from Stadler, with a sleek modern appearance, inside and out.”
So far, three of the trains have been delivered to the northeast with more set to follow later this year. It is hoped the first may enter service this year with all in operation by 2025.