Stadler and the Tyne and Wear Metro seem to be a bit of a modern day Noah as deliveries of new trains from Switzerland continue to come two by two with the latest pair arriving in the early hours of Friday 25th October.
As with previous deliveries the two trains made their way the 1,3000 miles from Switzerland via rail, the final leg of which sees them reach the Network Rail/Metro boundary at Pelaw from where they are towed to Gosforth Depot by two of their already delivered sisters.
This time the two arriving were 555 027 and 555 028. This now means that there are 13 of the 46 trains being built by Stadler in Switzerland which have been delivered to the northeast and its also been confirmed that over half of the total fleet have now been built.
Testing of the trains which are in the northeast continues which includes some daylight testing. Officially the word is that it is hoped at least one will enter service before the end of 2024 although no specific details have yet to be announced of this.
The trains which are now on the Tyne and Wear Metro are 555 001–555 007, 555 013, 555 015, 555 020, 555 021, 555 027 and 555 028.