There are some things which are common sights on most tram and light rail systems in the UK, and then there are some things which are more particular to one system. One thing which falls into the second category is the Rail Head Treatment Train which is used on the Tyne and Wear Metro as they attempt to cure the old problem of leaves on the line!
Whilst in the past the Tyne and Wear Metro may have used some of their works locos on this working, more recently they have switched over to using a couple of Metrocars sandwiching a bogie flat with a tank carried.
Most of the time in 2025 the two Metrocars which have been running the RHTT have been 4023 and 4078, and they are often out during daylight hours so that if you are around the network you do have a good chance of seeing them in action.
At the Airport where the formation is about to reverse. 4078 is situated at the buffer stops of the terminus as the crew make some adjustments on the bogie flat.
The bogie flat is numbered MA06 and here we see it with the tank which carries the all important spray.
4023 is at the front of the formation now and gets ready to depart from the Airport. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 3rd October 2025)