555 023 has become the latest of the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains to enter service with it being noted in service on Tuesday 8th September 2026. This leaves just the two to enter service!
555 023 was delivered from the Switzerland base of Stadler via a long rail journey on 7th February 2026. As was the case by then it arrived as part of a trio of trains – the others to be delivered at the same time were 555 026 (entered service 9th July 2026) and 555 045 (entered service 6th June 2026).
It has taken 555 023 seven months from delivery to enter service.
The two remaining units we haven’t had reports of being used in passenger service now are 555 022 (delivered 20th February 2026) and 555 046 (delivered 21st February 2026).
There are a total of 46 of these trains built and delivered to northeast England. The first to be delivered was 555 003 on 28th February 2023 and the first to enter service was 555 021 on 18th December 2024.