A further two Tyne and Wear Metrocars have left the network to go for a date with the scrapman in recent days – the 27th and 28th of the original fleet of 90 trains which ran the service for over 40 years. The two trains to go this time are 4033 and 4072.
The first of the pair to depart was 4033 which moved on 17th July and then it was followed on 18th July by 4072.
As with all recent departures the trains were moved to J Denham Metals in Shildon for the deed to be done. Before making that move they were transported by rail from Gosforth Depot (hauled by some of their still operational sisters) to Howdon. And that is where they are picked up by road transport to be driven to Shildon.
With 28 units having now gone for scrap that leaves 62 which remain on the Tyne and Wear Metro. However, several of these are withdrawn/stored and will probably not be seen out on the network again.
4001 was announced as being saved for preservation and is due to move to the Stephenson Railway Museum. Another train is also said to be earmarked for Beamish although the identity of this (or indeed that it is definitely happening) has never been publicly revealed.