In Pictures: A second Metrocar enters preservation

Tyne and Wear Metro unit 4020 has become the second of the now (more or less) withdrawn Metrocars to enter preservation with it being moved to the North East Land Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM) in Sunderland at the end of June. The train – which was used to transport Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when she officially opened the Metro in 1981 – arrived at its new home on Tuesday 30^th June 2026 having been transported from Howdon by road.

Nexus had always said that they intended to offer two units for preservation with prototype 4001 having found a new home at the Stephenson Steam Railway last year. 4020 had originally been expected to end up at Beamish (indeed a press release from Nexus at one stage last year even announced this) but in the end it is NELSAM where the “royal train” has ended up.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to have donated this old Metro train to the North East Land Sea and Air Museum.

“It was used for the Queen’s visit in 1981, a huge moment in Metro’s history, when she travelled on board it and then opened the system at a ceremony at Gateshead Interchange.

“That very same carriage was also used during another Royal visit in 2021, when Prince Charles travelled on board from Central to Haymarket to mark our 40th anniversary year.

“We’re over the moon that a museum has been able to take this train and put it on display for the public. It is part of the region’s proud railway heritage. We have achieved our commitment to keep two original trains for heritage purposes, meaning they can still be seen by the public for generations to come.”

David Charles, Chair of Trustees for NELSAM, said: “The arrival of the Metro unit at the museum marks the completion of the transition from an aircraft museum to a transport museum.

“The Royal Metro is a nationally significant rail item and cements the importance of the museum as a regional heritage location. The delivery marks the end of a journey that started three years ago to add this significant item to the collection.

“The trustees are honoured to be chosen by Nexus and the Rail Heritage Board to be custodians of the Metro trains. It will form the centrepiece of a new Metro experience to keep alive the memory of the first light railway system in the country.”

As with the Metrocars which have gone for scrap, 4020 was sandwiched between two of its sisters (this time it was 4050 and 4068) to be moved from Gosforth to Howdon. From Howdon it was then collected by lorry to head to NELSAM and to start its new life in preservation.

4020 is displayed on a short section of track at NELSAM and it is planned that it will be open to the public from 2027.

Whilst we’re on the subject of Metrocars… You will remember that Friday 26^th June 2026 was the last “guaranteed” use of the units in service. Guaranteed was always the most important word in that as Monday 29^th June saw not one but two of the units in service at times during the day. 4024+4078 were initially used before being withdrawn because of a fault, the diagram they were operating was then uncovered until 4050+4068 took charge later in the day. No further use of the Metrocars has occurred since though.

4020 has probably run to the Airport thousands of times over the years but possibly hasn’t been this close to a plane before! The plan is Trident 1C G-ARPO.