If you cast your mind back you may recall that it was reported that Nexus would be donating one of the redundant Metrocars to the Tyne and Wear Fire Service to help with training and it has now been confirmed that 4019 is the chosen unit, with it having being handed over on Tuesday 16th September 2025.
4019 will be used at the Tyne and Wear Metro Fire Service’s training centre in Washington to support essential training for its crews. It will allow the training team to recreate real-to-life scenarios that crews regularly encounter, including road traffic collisions and breathing apparatus training.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to see this decommissioned Metro train going to support such important training. When the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service got in contact with us about acquiring one of the used carriages we had no hesitation in saying yes.
“This train will now play a vital role in supporting firefighter training across a range of different scenarios. It will undoubtedly prove really useful for them in recreating some of the scenarios they may have to deal with one day.
“The old Metro fleet has served our region well for more than 45 years but it’s now making way for the new generation of Metro trains. We’ve already donated the very first Metro prototype to the Stephenson Museum in North Tyneside, and we now have one going to very good use at the fire and rescue service HQ in Washington. We can’t wait to see the firefighters using the old train for their training programme.”
The training centre will also see a concrete platform, a tunnel, and an imitation ticket machine installed to make it as real life as possible. The training team will then be able to do multiple rescues, on and off the train, and simulate fires through cosmetic smoke and fire.
Ken Corbett, Area Manager of Tyne and Wear Fire Rescue Service, said: “We would like to pay our gratitude to Nexus for their kind donation. The Metro carriage will provide an essential resource for our fire and rescue teams, who tirelessly train all year round in recreated real-life environments that help to fashion scenarios for firefighters to gain firsthand training.
“This will also benefit the residents of Tyne and Wear, as they will be safe in the knowledge that firefighters helping to keep them and their families safe from harm: have access to some of the best state of the art training facilities available in the region.”
With 4019 departing the Tyne and Wear Metro network it now means 34 of the fleet have done so, including 4001 which became the first to be preserved at the Stephenson Steam Railway.