Amongst all the departures from the Tyne and Wear Metro network recently, not all have been on a final one-way trip to the scrapman. Of course, we have seen 4001 enter preservation but there is also 4019 which has been donated to the Tyne and Wear Fire Service and they have now started to use it at their training centre in Washington.
They are using 4019 to recreate real-to-life immersive scenarios, the type their crews regularly encounter, including road traffic collisions and breathing apparatus training. They had previously been using an old London Underground train but the Metrocar will now serve the same purpose.
Michael Richardson, Head of Fleet and Depot Replacement at Nexus, said: “It’s fantastic to see a decommissioned Metro train being put to such important use by the Tyne and Wear and Rescue Service at their revamped training facility in Washington.
“The old carriage, which has served our customers for 45 years, is now playing a vital role supporting firefighter training across a range of different scenarios that they must prepare for.
“I’ve no doubt it’ll prove useful, allowing their fire crews to hone essential lifesaving skills which are required of them in the event of a real-life emergency.”
Dale Howey, Head of Service Delivery Operational Training for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s essential for the development of our firefighters that they are given the opportunity to experience and train in real life scenarios, where they can practice and enhance their specialist skills.
“The Metro is a huge infrastructure in our region and it is vital that we train to meet the risks within our Service area. The Metro carriage is a vital part of our training centre that provides a location where serious incidents such as rail or road traffic collisions can be set up for exercise purposes. We can also introduce many other elements into the carriage because most incidents are never the same.
“The Service appreciates the Metro carriage that was gifted from our partners at Nexus, as this will ultimately ensuring our crews are able to train for the risks within our region and potentially save people’s lives for years to come.”
The first scenario using the Metrocar saw two fire crews from South Shields and Washington Community Fire Stations take part in a mock scenario where they had to rescue a Metro driver after the train collided with two vehicles that had crossed the rail track.
The Metro train was filled with cosmetic smoke as the firefighters performed the rescue. The crews also rescued a casualty from one of the vehicles positioned on the 38 metre stretch of purpose built rail track.
To add to the realism of the scene, the training facility features a concrete platform, mock train tunnel, and an imitation ticket machine. This will help the crews to deliver multiple rescue exercises, on and off the train, and simulate fires through cosmetic smoke and fire.