Depot workers bid Metro fleet farewell

A North East public transport maintenance team is preparing to mark the end of an era as a fleet of original Metro trains is phased out after 46 years of service.

Depot workers at Gosforth, who are employed by Stadler, have spent decades repairing and maintaining the Tyne and Wear Metro’s original trains, helping keep them on the tracks since they first carried passengers in 1980.

The final old carriages are now close to being withdrawn, with their last passenger services due to run between 22 and 26 June.

Paul Patrick, pictured below) started his career at the Metro depot in 1995 as an apprentice fitter. 

Paul, 47, of Gosforth, is now Stadler’s head of region for the UK, Ireland and North America.

He said: “The old trains have been great workhorses for so many years. 

“They have been the life blood of our region, taking people to work, to appointments, and on nights out.

“Metro is the beating heart of the North East and not many other UK cities have a railway quite like it. 

“The trains we are about to say goodbye to have pride of place in Metro’s story. 

“I worked on them when I became an apprentice aged 16. 

“It’s a bittersweet feeling to see them go. 

“Everyone recognises they are life expired now. They have done their job. 

“You do feel an attachment to them. 

“There are many I’ve repaired many times over and they’re now in a breaker’s yard. 

“The new trains are amazing and it’s absolutely right that we have them now. 

“They bring a smile to people’s faces when they see them arrive. 

“We must move on to the new technology, and I’m so also proud to be part of the introduction and maintenance of the new fleet.”

Production manager Adam Cairns, 36, of Sunderland, joined the depot team as a trainee in 2005. 

He added: “I’ve enjoyed working with these trains. 

“The fault finding and the repairs were something I’ve enjoyed. 

“There was always great job satisfaction when we got one fixed. 

“They’ve experienced more issues in recent years and parts have become hard to come by. 

“That said, they have been great for the North East, and such a huge part of everyday life for so many years.” 

Production manager Adam Cairns

Known as Metro Class 599s, the trains were originally marketed as the ‘supertram’ and first arrived in the region in 1975 at a test track in North Tyneside.

They went on to enter passenger service on August 11, 1980, during the phased opening of the Metro network, becoming a familiar part of daily life for generations of travellers across the region.

Over their lifetime, the trains have carried 1.7 billion customer journeys and covered half a billion kilometres.

Their retirement marks a significant milestone for Metro and its maintenance teams, as the network continues its transition to a modern replacement fleet designed to transform services and working practices.

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