The Tyne and Wear Metro
27th December 2007

The Tyne and Wear Metro is one of the jewels of the North East. This wonderful system has long been a favourite of mine. As England's first modern rapid Transport system, it provides a fast convienient way into the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, the North East's principal City. The system uses the original North Eastern Railway's Tyneside loop route, which runs out from Newcastle to the coast and back, and then to South Shields, was Electrified (with third Rail Electrics) way back in 1904. The original Electric trains ran till 1967, and after Dieselisation, it was revitalised from 1975, and is now an effective modern Transport system using overhead Electric trains which are very fast.
The rolling stock was built by Metro Cammell, and perhaps partly owes its success to the fact that, apart from being Electric, all the technology used on it was all proven; ie- no expensive untried 'gadgets'. The Metro is now over twenty five years old, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005. this collection will be added to over time, and consists of pictures taken by myself, and from views I have picked up along the way. For some reason the Metro doesn't seem to attract the same attention as other NE Railways, and most of the older views here came out of unmarked 10p boxes! anyway, hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

<-- Index | Showing 1-27 of 27 pictures | Index -->
This is the Prototype Metrocar on the Test Track at Middle Engine Lane, (now the Stephenson Railway Museum). the two prototype cars 4001/2 differed slightly from the rest in that they had a centre door on the front end. This feature was dispensed with before entry into service.
This is the Prototype Metrocar on the Test Track at Middle Engine Lane, (now the Stephenson Railway Museum). the two prototype cars 4001/2 differed slightly from the rest in that they had a centre door on the front end. This feature was dispensed with before entry into service.
 This is the newbuild terminus at the Airport, until recently, this station was prone to flooding, and the water sometimes reached platform height.
This is the newbuild terminus at the Airport, until recently, this station was prone to flooding, and the water sometimes reached platform height.

Gosforth Car Sheds on a misty Day in 1980, the orignal depot from 1904 was on this site.
Gosforth Car Sheds on a misty Day in 1980, the orignal depot from 1904 was on this site.
 There were five of these Diesel Electric Locos built by Brush (I think?) they were numbered WL1 - 5 and were used mainly on the engineers service trains. after withdrawl, a couple of them were used on the Channel Tunnel project, and one of them was subsequently preserved, but I don't know which Railway it is at.
There were five of these Diesel Electric Locos built by Brush (I think?) they were numbered WL1 - 5 and were used mainly on the engineers service trains. after withdrawl, a couple of them were used on the Channel Tunnel project, and one of them was subsequently preserved, but I don't know which Railway it is at.
 Metro Car 002 at the Test Track c1976
Metro Car 002 at the Test Track c1976
 This an official photograph of Metro Car oo3 before its entry into service. I picked this lovely shot out of an oddments box for 10p!! You will notice that this car doesn't have the centre emergency exit on the cab front - it was discontinued from this unit onwards, and the earlier pair were modified shortly after.
This an official photograph of Metro Car oo3 before its entry into service. I picked this lovely shot out of an oddments box for 10p!! You will notice that this car doesn't have the centre emergency exit on the cab front - it was discontinued from this unit onwards, and the earlier pair were modified shortly after.
Metro Car 001 on the Test Track c1975
Metro Car 001 on the Test Track c1975
 This is unit 4003 at Gosforth Car Sheds, shame the photographer didn't move the Tree sapling!
This is unit 4003 at Gosforth Car Sheds, shame the photographer didn't move the Tree sapling!
 Thi Hunslet was an elusive beast, this is the only photo i've ever seen of it. The loco never seems to have left Gosforth Sheds, so perhaps it was an internal Depot Shunter.
Thi Hunslet was an elusive beast, this is the only photo i've ever seen of it. The loco never seems to have left Gosforth Sheds, so perhaps it was an internal Depot Shunter.
 The Tyne & Wear logo is a masterpiece of design, the top & bottom loops represents North & South Tyneside, the Blue Bar is the River Tyne, and the vertical bar is the Tyne Tunnel, marvelous!
The Tyne & Wear logo is a masterpiece of design, the top & bottom loops represents North & South Tyneside, the Blue Bar is the River Tyne, and the vertical bar is the Tyne Tunnel, marvelous!
4066 entering Chillingham Road Station.
4066 entering Chillingham Road Station.
 I believe this is just leaving the Regent Centre.Newcastle seems to be full of hideous Car Parks, the best known one of course is the one at Gateshead.
I believe this is just leaving the Regent Centre.Newcastle seems to be full of hideous Car Parks, the best known one of course is the one at Gateshead.
 This is the only Model Railway layout iv'e ever seen with T&W Metro stock on it, it's called 'Rowntree sidings' and is wonderful! you can see it at many of the Model Railway shows in the North East, or just type the name in the search engine, and have a look at the web site.
This is the only Model Railway layout iv'e ever seen with T&W Metro stock on it, it's called 'Rowntree sidings' and is wonderful! you can see it at many of the Model Railway shows in the North East, or just type the name in the search engine, and have a look at the web site.




This is South Gosforth, and the Train is heading into Newcastle.
This is South Gosforth, and the Train is heading into Newcastle.
 The Brush locos were replaced by these hideous Germanic looking Battery Electric things, I think they are characterless and awful. I saw this at the 2005 open day.
The Brush locos were replaced by these hideous Germanic looking Battery Electric things, I think they are characterless and awful. I saw this at the 2005 open day.
 This is South Gosforth or Newcastle North as it used to be known as.
This is South Gosforth or Newcastle North as it used to be known as.



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