We\u2019re used to reporting on the departure of the old Metrocars from the Tyne and Wear Metro, and the presumption has always been that they\u2019re just going to be scrapped. But no, far from it, they are actually being recycled as much of their used metals are being repurposed and shipped abroad to support manufacturing.<\/p>\n
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So far, 29 of the trains have departed the network for the last time and metals from each of these \u2013 which includes aluminium, copper and steel \u2013 are being exported via regional hubs to countries around the world including Spain, India, Turkey, and Asia.<\/p>\n
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: \u201cWe\u2019re bidding a fond farewell to the old Metro train fleet over the next couple of years and it\u2019s good to see that a lot of the used parts are being sent away for recycling.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of The metals are harvested during this process and they are repurposed to support other industries, usually manufacturing and construction, quite often overseas. Overall, this reduces the energy and carbon consumed if such metals were manufactured from scratch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe footage we\u2019ve gathered to document this occurrence is jaw dropping, and quite emotive, but it\u2019s all part of a process of decommissioning the fleet and making room for the new trains and a brighter future for Metro.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese trains have been real workhorses over the last four decades. They helped to transform public transport in our region. They have given us outstanding service, running twenty hours a day, seven days a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cCustomers can be assured that two of the old trains are being retained for heritage purposes and will be sent to two local museums \u2013 the Stephenson Museum, and Beamish, so that we can celebrate and remember their contribution to our region for many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
J Denham Metals Ltd, have the contract to recycle the trains and they are considered a leading metal recycling specialist in the northeast.<\/p>\n
Graeme Smith, is the Commercial Manager at J Denham Metals, and commented: \u201cIt\u2019s great for us to be involved in the Metro project. These trains are part of our region\u2019s heritage and we\u2019re proud to be carrying out the recycling work given the region\u2019s railway heritage and nearby Shildon is the home of rail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the first passenger trains that we\u2019ve decommissioned and the most high profile. We regularly get train enthusiasts coming down here just to catch a final look at the Metros before they undergo the breakage process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s often described as scrappage, but much of the metals we strip away from the trains will be re-used. It gets transported on, often for use in construction and manufacturing across the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been more demand for recycled metals in recent years, so the materials removed from these Metro trains is providing an important environmental benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process of taking the trains apart does look brutal, but it\u2019s very necessary for the recycling process. We can break a Metro train apart completely in just under one hour.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust days after it may have left service, it\u2019s quickly broken down, and is a part of a batch of used metals ready to repurpose, whether that\u2019s the steel, copper or aluminium from its bodywork and its chassis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nexus have released video footage of what happens when a train arrives at J Denham\u2019s facility near Bishop Auckland – https:\/\/youtu.be\/02yAqHvDn6I?si=uTstvvrCrYiT4-8W<\/a>.<\/p>\n When the train arrives at the facility a giant hydraulic grabber lifts the train up and starts on the bodywork, before windows and seats are removed. Another large hydraulic machine (known as a snipper) gradually works it way through the carriage in a process which takes just under an hour.<\/p>\n The focus then turns to the chassis and bogies which are the heaviest and bulkiest sections.<\/p>\n The press release mentioning this process also confirms that two of the Metrocars will be saved for preservation. It had already been officially mentioned that 4001 would be heading to the Stephenson Railway Museum but now for the first time official literature from Nexus has confirmed one will also be saved for Beamish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We\u2019re used to reporting on the departure of the old Metrocars from the Tyne and Wear Metro, and the presumption has always been that they\u2019re just going to be scrapped. But no, far from it, they are actually being recycled … Continue reading