4001, the first of the Tyne and Wear Metrocars to enter preservation, has now been at its new home of the Stephenson Steam Railway in Wallsend for around two months. The railway held a Railway 200 Gala over the weekend of 25th and 26th October 2025 which gave one of the first chances for many people to see the unit on display as it starts the next stage of its life. Trevor Hall went to pay a visit.
4001 will usually be stored in the yard but for the event it was moved into the shed (vacated by diesel shunters which were running in service) with the “A” end poking out the front. The unit was also open to allow visitors on board to see the interior and bring back memories of the unrefurbished unit.
Since arriving at the railway, 11th September 2025 was its arrival date, work has also been underway to remove some of the graffiti from the exterior.
4001 poking out of the shed with steps to allow access to the interior. Evidence of the start of graffiti removal are seen here. This end of the unit featured the original Metro livery as part of its special 40th anniversary paint job.
The “B” end of the train inside the shed. Here we see the early 21st century red and yellow livery and the final Metrocar livery.
4001 comes face to face with diesel shunter 03 078.
With a Blyth Harbour Commission 0-4-0ST built by Hawthorn Leslie.
On-board 4001 as we see the unrefurbished interior of the “B” end. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 26th October 2025)