'A piece of transport history on the very site where it all began'

THE first ever Tyne and Wear Metro train has been donated to the Stephenson Steam Railway.

- OWEN YOUNGER

The 50-year-old carriage, which dates back to the mid-1970s, will be given a new lease of life as part of North East Museums.

Nexus has officially gifted Metro Carriage 4001 to the North Tyneside heritage site, but it will not immediately become a public exhibit. The train, in the classic yellow and white colour scheme, was the first prototype carriage that was delivered to the test track in 1975, years before the system opened in August 1980.

The transport company has also confirmed that some of the current fleet will be retained for heritage purposes as it continues to be gradually phased out in favour of the new Stadler trains. The museum is also based in the same area where the initial Metros were tested.

Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, said: “I’m delighted to say that the first ever Metro train, carriage 4001, has been preserved and will be exhibited at the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside.