Nexus, which owns and operates the Tyne and Wear Metro network, has announced that June 26 was the last day the old trains operate on the metro system. Thus, June 22–26 was the last week of commercial service, marking the end of an era for urban rail transport in northeastern England.
Trains from the original fleet will run on the Yellow and Green lines from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 22, through Friday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m.
Passengers will also have one last chance to experience the famous “view from the driver’s cab”—the front seats of the railcars—which have been a cultural symbol of the network for the past 46 years.
Over the course of 46 years, the original Class 599 fleet has carried approximately 1.7 billion passengers from 1980 to the present and traveled over 500 million kilometers, becoming an essential part of the region’s rail heritage.
The end of operations will officially mark the end of an era for the Tyne and Wear Metro and for the urban rail infrastructure in northeastern England, as the system transitions to the new, modern Stadler trains.
“This is the end of an era for the Metro. The old fleet has served us well for 46 years, but now it’s time to look to the future and the new fleet,” said Cathy Masarella, CEO of Nexus.
The old Metro Tyne trains, replaced by Stadler vehicles
In January 2020, Nexus ordered 42 new trains from Stadler to completely renew the rolling stock on the Tyne and Wear Metro network. The contract was worth GBP 362 million (EUR 423 million). In September 2021, Nexus ordered an additional 4 trains, worth GBP 95 million (EUR 111 million ). In total, Nexus invested EUR 534 million for the 46 new trains to renew its fleet, a project that is part of the Metro Modernization Program (Metro Flow program).
The last train was delivered by Stadler in February 2026, marking the end of deliveries that began in February 2023.
The lightweight, five-railcar articulated trains enable efficient and cost-effective operation. The low-floor vehicle design, combined with retractable steps, ensures level boarding across the entire network.
Compared to the Class 599 trains from 1980, the new units have significantly lower energy consumption, thanks to their lightweight design, efficient braking energy recovery, and the use of modern, high-performance traction conversion technology.
They are designed to accommodate an energy storage system, which will enable operation on any network extensions that may be added in the near future. Dedicated areas have been created for wheelchairs, strollers, luggage, and bicycles. This interior design enhances passengers’ sense of safety through comprehensive video surveillance (CCTV), door-operation safety systems, and clear warning signals.
The new vehicles are designed for a maximum speed of 80 km/h and operate on the Tyne and Wear Metro network, which serves Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, and Sunderland in the Tyne and Wear area.
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