First Stadler train enters service on Tyne & Wear Metro

Much later than planned, the first of the new Swiss-built trains for the Tyne & Wear Metro, 555021, entered passenger service mid-morning on 18 December, carrying passengers from Pelaw to Monkseaton. The fleet of 46 class 555 trains is being built by Stadler under a £362M contract awarded in January 2020; each is 59.9m long and weighs 98t. The first arrived in the north-east in Februaryy 2023, but testing and solving technical challenges has taken much longer than expected. Originally due to carry passengers in 2023, daytime testing did not start until May 2024. 

 

North East mayor Kim McGuiness, who was on board the first train said, 'This is an historic day for Metro and a moment I know will come as a relief to passengers, as well as being something to celebrate. I pressed Nexus and Stadler to get the first new Metro train out there for passengers as quickly as possible. I know how much hard work has gone into making that happen from many people involved in testing and solving the technical challenges. I look forward to seeing these new trains becoming a common sight next year as they are phased into use’. 

 

So far 13 new trains have been delivered, with 25 more expected in 2025. Stadler has a 35-year maintenance contract.