A transformational change
Our new trains
Delivering 46 new Tyne and Wear Metro trains has been the biggest project in our history.
In a £362m programme, Swiss train manufacturer, Stadler, replaced our entire old fleet of trains, and constructed a new £70m depot at Gosforth.
More reliable, more accessible, more spacious
What's new?
- The bespoke trains were designed using customer feedback, involving 23,000 responses to surveys, workshops and webinars in 2020.
- They’re transformational for customer experience – improved comfort, quality and reliability, with new features including linear seating, charging points and climate control.
- They set new accessibility standards – a sliding step at each door, more space for wheelchairs, special lights at doors, and advanced audio systems.
- We’ve improved security – there’s 44 CCTV cameras (internal and external) on each train and a new intercom system to speak to the driver.
- Battery technology means they can operate without using the overhead powerline for a short time if needed.
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How it progressed
Project background
- We appointed Stadler as our train manufacturer in January 2020, and the first new Metro train entered customer service on 18 December 2024
- The new depot at Gosforth was completed in January 2024.
- 90,000 different tests were conducted to make sure the trains work safely and seamlessly with our 60 stations and 77km of track.
- Daytime testing of the new trains started in May 2024, the first time our customers saw them on Metro tracks.
- 200 Metro drivers underwent a driver conversion training course so they were qualified to drive the new trains.
- The old trains are being recycled as they are being taken out of service when new trains are added in.
- Two old Metro trains have been retained for heritage purposes, and one is used for emergency service training.
