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Tyne and Wear Metrocar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from British Rail Class 599)

Tyne and Wear Metrocar
A Metrocar in black and yellow corporate livery at Meadow Well (2018)
Refurbished interior of a Metrocar
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
ManufacturerMetro-Cammell[1]
Built atWashwood Heath, Birmingham
Constructed1975–1981
Entered service11 August 1980[2]
Refurbished1996–2000, 2010–2015
Retired26 June 2026 (withdrawn from regular service)[3]
Number built90
Number preserved2
Number scrapped19[4]
SuccessorClass 555
FormationTwo carriages
Fleet numbers
Capacity64 seated, 188 standing
OperatorNexus
Depots
Lines servedAll Tyne and Wear Metro lines
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium and steel
Car length27.8 m (91 ft 2 in)[1]
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)[1]
Height3.16 m (10 ft 4 in)[1]
Doors4 sets of air-operated double doors on each side
Maximum speed50 mph (80 km/h)[1]
Weight40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons)
Power output2 × 185 kW (248 hp) per unit[1]
Electric systems1,500 V DC overhead lines[1]
Current collectionPantograph (Brecknell Willis)
Coupling systemBSI[5]
Multiple workingWithin class[1]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Tyne and Wear Metrocar is a light rail vehicle used on the Tyne and Wear Metro in North East England. Ninety units were manufactured between 1978 and 1981 by Metro-Cammell and are designated on TOPS as the British Rail Class 599.

Trains were refurbished between 1996 and 2000, and between 2010 and 2015. Since 2024, they have been gradually replaced by new Class 555 electric multiple units, built by Stadler Rail. The last scheduled Metrocar service was on 26 June 2026.

Design

[edit]

The Metrocar design was partly derived from that of the German Stadtbahnwagen B; however, they were built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham, and were not fitted with the lights and indicators that would have allowed them to run on streets.[6]

Each Metrocar consists of two semi-permanently connected coaches mounted on three bogies. The outermost bogies are powered and the central Jacobs Bogie, located in the articulated section between both halves, is unpowered. The trains make use of rheostatic braking between 50 and 19 mph (80 and 30 km/h), with air-operated disc brakes for use during the final stages of deceleration below 19 mph (30 km/h). All bogies are also equipped with a pair of emergency magnetic track brakes, which can be used to bring a train to a complete stand in as little as 150 m (492 ft) from the maximum service speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Metrocars have three acceleration steps and four braking steps, with an additional emergency brake step which drops the emergency magnetic track brakes.[1]

Many features of the Metrocar are operated by compressed air, which is stored in a reservoir under the driving cab at the front of the train; these include: air-operated disc brakes, horn, windscreen wipers and passenger doors, as well as being used to raise the pantograph. As the section between Pelaw and Sunderland on which they operate is part of the Network Rail system, the units were allocated TOPS Class 599 in January 2002.[7][8][9]

Specification

Prototypes and test track

[edit]

Prior to opening, two prototypes, 4001 and 4002, underwent several years of testing from June 1975 on a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) test track in Backworth.[10][11] The track was built on the route of an old mineral wagonway formerly part of the North Tyneside Steam Railway. It had a two-lane car shed and a mock station platform, along with a short tunnel section which consisted of concrete tunnel segments laid at ground level;[12] the tunnel was later demolished to allow testing of prototype cars for the Hong Kong MTR, also built by Metro-Cammell, since these cars have a very large profile. The test track was closed in 1980 and it is now home to the Stephenson Railway Museum.[12]

The prototype cars are very similar to the production fleet, with the exception of being fitted with passenger doors manufactured by Kiekert instead of Westinghouse, having a central end door and using different types of coupling equipment at each end to allow the two designs to be thoroughly tested.[5] The prototypes featured small cabs and central end doors similar to London Underground stock, to allow evacuation of trains in a tunnel. In the event, the Metro tunnels were constructed with continuous walkways, making the end doors unnecessary. Prior to their entry into service in 1987, the two prototypes were refitted to reflect the specification of the production fleet.[13][page needed] The small cabs remained in the series vehicles with a passenger seat beside offering a forward view.

Electrics

[edit]

The network is electrified with a 1,500 V DC overhead line system.[14] This voltage was previously used on a number of railways in Great Britain, including the Woodhead line, but is now unique. Each Metrocar has its own Brecknell Willis pantograph for collecting power from the overhead line. The sections of Metro owned by Nexus have a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) in some areas, which matches the top speed of the rolling stock. The vehicles have a minimum curve radius of 50 m (160 ft),[5] although there are no curves this tight except for the non-passenger chord between Manors and West Jesmond.[15]

Formation

[edit]
The Metrocars have a half-width driver's cab, allowing passengers to see out of the front and rear of the train

During the early years of the Tyne and Wear Metro, units were operated in single and double sets. As single units became overcrowded, Nexus resumed using two units as standard.[16] Single units again became common during construction of the Sunderland extension, when some units were taken for testing of the new track.

During its original construction, the Metro system was designed to use three unit sets,[14] and the underground stations were built with 95 m-long (312 ft) platforms to accommodate this; however, due to a lack of funding, new surface stations were only built with 65 m (213 ft) platforms and the units run in sets of two.[1][17]

Refurbishment

[edit]
Metrocar 4079's cab.
Driver's cab, showing the front panel

All 90 units underwent a half life refurbishment between 1996 and 2000.[18] In June 2010, Wabtec Rail was awarded a contract to perform a three-quarter life refurbishment at Doncaster Works, which included making them compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.[19][20]

The first was completed in February 2012, with the last in July 2015.[21][22] Cost overruns and technical issues resulted in only 86 being completed, with units 4001, 4002, 4040 and 4083 remaining in service in unrefurbished condition. As they did not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, they were restricted to operating peak hour services.[18]

After an accident at Gosforth in March 2017, unit 4022 was taken to Bristol Barton Hill TMD for assessment, before moving to the Nemesis Rail facility at Burton-on-Trent in October 2019 for scrapping.[23]

Liveries

[edit]

The Metro fleet was initially painted in a two-tone livery of cadmium yellow and white, that matched the Metro station design and the livery of the Tyne and Wear bus fleet until 1986.

In 1995, a new colour scheme was introduced: solid red, green or blue, with a yellow wedge at each end and yellow triangles on the doors.[24] This scheme was modified slightly in 2005 to comply with safety regulations, changing the doors to a solid yellow to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. During this period, a large number of special liveries were carried in addition to the standard colour scheme; these were often advertisements for local businesses, such as the Evening Chronicle on unit 4042 and Metroland on unit 4054. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002, unit 4032 was temporarily decorated in a special gold livery; it was then returned to the red and yellow livery which it carried until refurbishment.

Between 2012 and 2015, 86 Metrocars were refurbished and repainted in a black and yellow livery.[25] Until 2017, prototype unit 4001 carried its original cadmium and white livery, whilst 4002 carried an advertisement for the Tyne and Wear Metro website. Both were repainted in 2017 into the same black and yellow livery carried by the refurbished Metrocars. In September 2019, unit 4001 underwent further repainting into a 40 Years scheme, with all four previous liveries amalgamated into one.[23]

Replacement

[edit]

In January 2020, Stadler Rail was awarded a contract to build 42 five-carriage Class 555 articulated light rail trains to replace the Metrocars, with deliveries scheduled to commence in late 2022. The order was later increased to 46.[26][27][28][29] This was part of a £362 million programme, which included a new depot.[30]

After receiving feedback from 23,000 people, Nexus added an additional 12 tip-up seats, handrails in the wheelchair areas, brighter markings and changes to the interior design of the trains.[31][32] The first of the Stadler trains entered service in December 2024.[33][34]

In February 2026, Nexus announced that it expected the last of the Metrocars would "be taken out of service in late spring to early summer 2026."[35] In June 2026, it stated that their last week of service would commence on 22 June, with a Metrocar operating on both the Yellow and Green lines from 9.30am to 5.30pm all week.[36]

The last scheduled Metrocar services operated on 26 June 2026,[37] although Nexus added that "customers may still see the occasional 599 around the Metro system after this date."[38]

Preservation

[edit]

In March 2023, it was announced that unit 4001 would be preserved at the Stephenson Railway Museum in North Shields, on the site of the original Metro test track.[39] The unit entered preservation in September 2025.[40][41]

In September 2025, unit 4019 was donated to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service training centre in Washington for use in firefighter training.[42]

On 1 July 2026, unit 4020 which carries a sticker to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and carried the Queen when she officially opened the network in 1981, was donated to the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM).[43] It was originally announced that this unit would be donated to Beamish Museum.[44]

A plan to donate a number of units to the community was abandoned due to the expected cost.[44]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Haywood, P.G.; Price, J.H. (May 1980). "Tyneside Report 8: Part 1: Rolling stock". Modern Tramway and Light Rail Transit: 150–156. ISSN 0144-1655.
  2. ↑ Tweedy, Katherine (24 April 2026). "Metro tickets issued on eve of 1980 launch uncovered by collector". Rail Advent. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Wilson, Mark (3 June 2026). "Final Class 599 to be withdrawn from service at the end of June". Rail Advent. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Prior, Gareth (10 April 2025). "Tyne and Wear Metro says farewell to two more Metrocars – but another new train into service too!". British Trams Online News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Price, J.H. (August 1980). "More about Metrocars". Modern Tramway and Light Rail Transit: 258–261. ISSN 0144-1655.
  6. ↑ "Metro trains celebrate 40 years of service". Nexus. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Metrocars reach Sunderland". RAIL. No. 429. 20 February 2002. p. 20.
  8. ↑ "RVAR exemption application" (PDF). Gov.uk. 13 July 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Metro EMU" (PDF). Stadler Rail. 13 July 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "Backworth will be Tyne and Wear proving ground". Railway Gazette International. No. March 1976. p. 82.
  11. ↑ "How Metro was built". Nexus. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  12. 1 2 Young, Alan (22 May 2017). "Tyne and Wear Metro Test Track". Disused Stations. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  13. ↑ Pickering, Graeme (August 2020). "Tyne & Wear Metro at 40: Part one". The Railway Magazine. No. 1433.
  14. 1 2 "Tyne & Wear Metro Rapid Transit System". Railway Technology.
  15. ↑ Hunt, Michael (26 October 2022). "Metro Gradient Profile/Station Elevations". WhatDoTheyKnow.com. Nexus. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "May 2002 Sunderland Extension". Railway Technology. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
  17. ↑ Haywood, P.G.; Price, J.H. (July 1980). "Tyneside Report 8: Part 3: Operation". Modern Tramway and Light Rail Transit: 222–228. ISSN 0144-1655.
  18. 1 2 "Rail Vehicle Accessibility: Exemption application" (PDF). Department for Transport. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "Wabtec to refurbish Tyne and Wear Metro trains". International Railway Journal. 10 June 2010.
  20. ↑ "Metrocar takes to road as £20m refurbishment begins". Nexus. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "New Tyne and Wear Metrocar takes to the tracks". BBC News. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "Refurbished Metrocar re-enters traffic". RAIL. No. 691. 7 March 2012. p. 19.
  23. 1 2 "Livery marks 40 years of T&W Metro". The Railway Magazine. No. 1432. July 2020. p. 58.
  24. ↑ "New colours on Tyneside". RAIL. No. 252. 10 May 1995. p. 11.
  25. ↑ "Tyne and Wear Metro goes grey". RAIL. No. 681. 19 October 2011. p. 15.
  26. ↑ "Tyne and Wear Metro: Swiss firm Stadler to build new fleet". BBC News. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  27. ↑ "Stadler wins Tyne and Wear Metro fleet contract". Rail Journal. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020.
  28. ↑ "Stadler to build Tyne and Wear metro fleet". Railway Gazette. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020.
  29. ↑ "Rail in the 2020 budget". Railway Gazette. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020.
  30. ↑ "Metro's new train fleet". Nexus. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  31. ↑ "Inside our new Metro trains". Nexus. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  32. ↑ Holden, Alan (1 July 2021). "Tyne & Wear Metro unveils final interior design of new trains". RailAdvent. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  33. ↑ Robinson, Chris (18 November 2024). "First new Metro train runs after lengthy delays". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  34. ↑ "Metro's first new train enters customer service". Nexus. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  35. ↑ "Nexus takes delivery of all 46 new Stadler Metro trains". Nexus.org.uk. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  36. ↑ Holland, Daniel (2 June 2026). "End of an era as Tyne and Wear Metro confirms dates for old trains' final farewell journey". ChronicleLive. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  37. ↑ Younger, Owen (26 June 2026). "'Mixed emotions' as we bid farewell to the original Tyne and Wear Metro fleet". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  38. ↑ Dean, Jonathan (2 June 2026). "Historic Farewell Looms for Tyne and Wear Metro's Original Train Fleet". Rail Technology. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "First Tyne and Wear Metro car to become museum exhibit". BBC News. 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  40. ↑ Smith, Roger. "Original Tyne and Wear Metro unit donated to Tyneside railway for preservation". Rail Advent. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  41. ↑ "Tyne and Wear Metrocar 4001". North Tyneside Steam Railway. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  42. ↑ "Tyne and Wear Metro train donated to fire training crews". BBC News. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  43. ↑ "'Royal' Tyne and Wear Metro train heading to Washington museum". BBC News. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  44. 1 2 Holland, Daniel (16 October 2023). "Metro trains set for scrapyard as bosses ditch plans to donate old carriages". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
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