Metro fan choo-chooses a train tattoo as tribute

A NEWCASTLE man has paid a unique tribute to the Tyne and Wear Metro service with a tattoo of an old train.

- By OWEN YOUNGER

Simon Dowling, who has a tattoo on his leg of a metro train

Simon Dowling, 38, of High Heaton, now has an image of the Metro train emblazoned on his calf, as a permanent reminder of the former fleet.

Simon, who has 29 other tattoos across his arms, legs, and torso, has spoken of his pride at his new piece of body art, which pays homage to the old trains that are in the process of being phased out of service by Nexus.

Despite some lighthearted teasing from his wife, the father of two is thrilled with his new ink, which takes specific inspiration from the first ever Metro prototype, carriage 4001, which was delivered in 1975, five years ahead of the system opening in 1980.

Now he has been able to come face to face with that exact train at the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside, something which Simon, who works as a civil servant, was very pleased about.