There are now just five Stadler trains which have yet to be used in passenger service on the Tyne and Wear Metro following the entry into service of 555 026 on Thursday 9th July 2026. But availability of the trains has not been great in recent days with more use of some of the remaining Metrocars as additional inspections have been needed on the Stadler built units.
555 026 had arrived on the Tyne and Wear Metro back on 6th February 2026 and its entry into service on 9th July 2026 means its taken just over five months for it to be used in anger for the first time.
It arrived with 555 023 and 555 045. Of these 555 023 has yet to be used with 555 045 entering service on 6th June 2026.
The only remaining units to be used now are 555 022, 555 023, 555 024, 555 025 and 555 046.
But its not all good news for the new trains as their availability has been low over the past week. The Newcastle Chronicle picked up on these shortages and in an article revealed that an issue had been discovered during standard maintenance to do with their suspension. This was requiring additional inspections and had meant that as many as nine were out of service at one time, although more are now said to be available.
This has meant that there has been continued usage of the class 599 Metrocars, although use has been sporadic. This has include 4050+4068 on 6th and 8th July, 4041+4050 on 9th and 10th July and 4068+4081 also on 10th July.
- Other Metrocar news concerns 4020 which entered preservation at NELSAM late last month. Sadly it had been at its new home for less than 48 hours before it was vandalised with graffiti.