Last chance to ride Tyne and Wear Metro’s original trains

The Class 599 trains have been in service for 46 years and will be fully phased out this summer.

Metro operator Nexus has announced that the final week to guarantee a journey on the iconic yellow carriages will begin on Monday, June 22, with a train operating between 9.30am and 5.30pm each day on both the Yellow and Green lines until June 26.

Haymarket platform (Image: Paul Young)

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “After giving our region 46 years of service, I’m pleased to confirm the original Metro train fleet will soon be phased out completely.

“I promised that by summer every single journey people made would be on a new train, and that’s what we’ve done.

“This is a really significant milestone for our region, one that I’ve no doubt will generate a lot of nostalgia and fond memories for many.

Archive picture from 1982 (Image: Nexus)

“It’s great that people will have one last chance to travel on them before they go.

“It’s the end of an era for Metro, but it’s time we look ahead.”

The original trains have carried 1.7 billion passengers since they began service in August 1980 and have travelled a combined total of 500 million kilometres.

Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, said: “The old Metro trains have given us sterling service over the last 46 years, but we’re now getting ready to say that historic farewell.

“We’re in the final few weeks where customers are guaranteed a journey on the few that remain running.

A Metro train taken in 1982 (Image: Nexus)

“These trains helped to change the face of public transport in our region in 1980, and over the four decades that followed.

“They have served us well, surpassing their expected life expectancy.

“They’ve now come to the end of the line.

“They’re making way for the new generation of trains, which are delivering a bright future for the Tyne and Wear Metro.”

The £362 million Stadler fleet is now in service, marking the biggest upgrade in the Metro’s history.

Nexus plans to have all 46 new trains operational by the end of 2026.

The new fleet was designed following an extensive customer consultation which resulted in over 23,000 responses and features linear seating, charging points, 44 CCTV cameras, climate control, battery technology, and improved accessibility, including an automatic sliding step at each set of doors.

Most of the old trains are being recycled at a specialist facility in County Durham.

However, two have been preserved for heritage purposes, and one has been donated to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for training use.