First we had the very first new train enter service anywhere on the Tyne and Wear Metro network (18th December 2024) and now it has been announced that one of the Stadler built units has carried passengers on the Sunderland and Airport lines. 555 021 is the train which can tick off the Sunderland and Airport lines first – just like it could the rest of the network.
Tuesday 18th February 2025 was the date that will go down in the history books with 555 021 allocated to work on the Airport to South Hylton service (also know as the green line), which it did successfully. Its reported elsewhere that on most weekdays now there should be two new train diagrams in operation – one on each of the lines – which fits with the previously announced phased introduction into service of the fleet.
Kim McGuinnesss, North East Mayor, said: “Metro passengers will, like me, welcome the fact the first new trains are now running between Sunderland and the Airport, so everyone can begin to see for themselves how we are transforming Metro. Our new trains are an icon for a modern North East going places in the world, so I am really pleased to see them crossing the Monkwearmouth Bridge beside Sunderland’s fast-growing Riverside district and picking up international visitors at the Airport.
“It is not easy bringing a new fleet into use on such a busy route where Metro runs in between intercity trains, and I know the Nexus team has worked hard with Network Rail to make this possible. I want to see the whole new fleet picking up passengers as soon as possible and this is a huge step towards achieving that.”
Cathy Massarella, Manging Director of Nexus, added: “We’re delighted to put the new Metro train in service on our Sunderland line today, it’s fantastic to see it serving customers in the city.
“It was an historic moment for Metro to see the new train travelling across the River Wear with customers on board. It’s a great day for Sunderland. It was also fantastic to see the new train taking customers to Newcastle International Airport for the first time.
“The new trains will transform the customer experience, offering more comfort, more quality and more reliability.
“A vast amount of work has gone into this project, which is our biggest and most complex project since Metro was first built. The Sunderland line is managed by Network Rail and we have worked closely with them to get everything in place for the first train to enter their infrastructure in full customer service.
“The roll out of all 46 Stadler trains will be taking place in phases going forward, so customers will see the old and the new trains out together on the system. We aim to have 23 new train in service by the end of 2025 – which is half what we have on order.”
The use of the trains on the Sunderland line was always going to be the more complex as they share tracks with Northern Rail services on sections. But these challenges have been overcome allowing the residents of Sunderland and other parts of the route the chance to experience the new trains for the first time.
In total 46 new trains are being/have been built by Stadler at their plant in Switzerland. 13 have been delivered to northeast England so far with more to follow (including a couple imminently). Half of the fleet should have entered service by the end of 2025 with the complete fleet in use over the next two years.