The last guaranteed runs of the original fleet of trains on the Tyne and Wear Metro have happened with 4024+4050 bringing to an end almost 46 years of operation. The advertised “last week” ended early evening on Friday 26th June 2026 with the remaining nine sets at Gosforth Depot now having no more booked turns, although Nexus have said if needed some may still escape into service.
Throughout the week the advertised diagram (which saw a pair of units operate over both routes at various times during the day) was in operation and on three of five days in the last week there were additional sets out for part of the day.
During the course of the last week six different Metrocars were used in service: 4024, 4041, 4050, 4068, 4078 and 4081 (in a variety of combinations). The only Metrocar remaining at Gosforth Depot not to be used was 4020, a unit which is expected to enter preservation shortly (the second of the class to be preserved).
The final day of Friday 26th June 2026 saw just one set in service with 4024+4050 having the honour of being the last pair of Metrocars to operate a planned working. This was on the special Last Week service which ran between 0933 and 1735, covering both of the routes, and was an additional service from the normal timetable.
If lasts are your thing then the last pair actually used on a normal timetabled service were 4050+4078 which were used briefly on Wednesday 24th June 2026.
Whilst Friday 26th June 2026 was planned to be the last use of the Metrocars, the units used during the last week do remain operational and could be pressed into service if needed. However, Nexus have previously said there are no plans for them to be used (until they do!).
Of the once 90 strong class of Metrocars, one has already entered preservation (4001 at the Stephenson Steam Railway), one is used by the Tyne and Wear Fire Service at their training base in Washington (4019), seven remain at Gosforth Depot and 81 have been sent for scrap.
4050+4024 arrive at West Jesmond with the 1055 South Hylton to Airport service. The prime front seat is taken as people take the advantage of the last chance to have the forward facing view. Note that the headcode indicators have been changed to “599” to mark the official class 599 designation.
The same two units are seen at Callerton Parkway as they depart to head the short distance to Airport. This station has a level crossing and the units are about to head over it as they continue their journey. (Both Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 23rd June 2026)