Normally when an original Metrocar is seen sandwiched between two of its operational sisters and being towed to Howdon its not a good sign as it means its about to embark on a one-way trip to the scrapman (or recycling man as it is!). But the latest train to be moved like that has a more positive future with 4001 being moved there so it could be moved to its new home in preservation \u2013 the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside.<\/p>\n
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4001<\/strong> was withdrawn from service some time ago and since then has festered at Gosforth Depot, although it has been known for a while that it has been saved for preservation with it being the very first of the 90 strong fleet of Metrocars. Along with 4002, it was one of two prototype vehicles which were used for initial testing before the network opened to the public in 1980.<\/p>\n As it happens the testing took place at Middle Engine Lane in North Shields, which just happens to be where the Stephenson Steam Railway is now located, so it is very much a homecoming for the train. Built in 1975 it was the first Metrocar to arrive for testing and spent around five years there being put through its paces.<\/p>\n Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: \u201c\u2019m delighted to say that the first ever Metro train, carriage 4001<\/strong>, has been preserved and will be exhibited at the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was our first ever Metro prototype. It\u2019s given us 50 years of service on our system, first at the test track, and then in service for customers, so it\u2019s only right that it\u2019s being retained for heritage purposes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a real homecoming for the train, as the Stephenson museum is based on the site of our old test track, where the train was first delivered in May 1975 for trials and driver training in advance of the Metro system opening to the public.<\/p>\n \u201cOur current trains have been real workhorses over the last four decades. They have helped to change the face of public transport in our region. They have given us outstanding service and have clocked up many thousands of miles, running twenty hours a day, seven days a week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe rightly celebrate the service of these trains, which do have a heritage value that is being recognised. It\u2019s also vital that we look the future. They have become an increasing maintenance challenge and the new Stadler trains will transform the service for our customers and mark a new era for Metro.\u201d<\/p>\n 4001<\/strong> was moved from, Gosforth Depot on Wednesday 10th<\/sup> September with it being top and tailed by 4056<\/strong> and 4069<\/strong>. It was then collected by low loader the following day to make the move to its new owners, North East Museums. It won\u2019t immediately be put on public display but its future is secure and it becomes the first (of two) of the trains to be saved.<\/p>\n Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, said: \u201c”We are thrilled to welcome Metro carriage 4001<\/strong> into the care of North East Museums. The Metro has played such an important role in everyday life for so many people in the region, and this first prototype train is a significant part of that story. Displaying it at the Stephenson Steam Railway means visitors will be able to connect with this piece of North East transport history on the very site where it all began.”<\/p>\n 4001<\/strong> is currently in a special celebration livery which features parts of many of the fleet liveries of the first 40 years of the network. It will presumably at some point be restored to a different livery.<\/p>\n It won\u2019t be the only unit to be saved for preservation either as 4020<\/strong> is to be donated to Beamish \u2013 although that won\u2019t be for a while with it still operational!<\/p>\n 4001<\/strong> hasn\u2019t been the only train in recent days to leave Metro metals with 4034<\/strong> being moved for scrapping on Tuesday 9th<\/sup> September. 33 of the 90 trains have now gone for scrap.<\/p>\n Its not all bad news on the fleet front though as another of the new Stadler trains entered service on Sunday 7th<\/sup> September with 555 012<\/strong> becoming the 18th<\/sup> of the class to carry passengers. This was on the day of the Great North Run (the first big test of the new trains) when there were no reports of any major problems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Normally when an original Metrocar is seen sandwiched between two of its operational sisters and being towed to Howdon its not a good sign as it means its about to embark on a one-way trip to the scrapman (or recycling … Continue reading