Replica of new Metro train to support rail safety training

The Metro cab mock-up has been given a permanent home at SafetyWorks! in Newcastle, an interactive education centre providing realistic, hands-on safety training for schools, youth groups, and community organisations.

Metro operator Nexus said it was delighted to find a use for the replica, which had previously been used to familiarise Metro drivers with their new cab before the real trains started to be delivered.

It has now become part of the immersive Metro safety training facility, which includes a Metro station, tracks, ticket machines, platforms, and a level crossing.

The replica, which was provided to Nexus by the Swiss train builder Stadler in 2021, brings the Metro training area at SafetyWorks! right up to date, replacing a mock-up of the original Metro carriage that was previously there.

SafetyWorks! is a multi-agency training facility which is used by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police, Nexus, and the local authorities to conduct safety awareness days for young people. It is visited by 5,000 school children every year.

Deborah Rodenby, Youth Liaison Officer at Nexus, said: “The replica of the new Metro train is a vital new tool for engaging young people when they visit SafetyWorks!.

“It’s going to really grab their attention and that will make it easier for us to get the key railway safety messages across.

“It’s fantastic to give the cab mock-up a permanent new home. It looks amazing. It has supported our Metro drivers with adapting to the new trains, and now it’s got a new lease of life as a teaching aid, helping thousands of children learn about the dangers of trespassing on the lines.

“By stepping onto this realistic station layout, they experience the real-world environment of the new Metro fleet firsthand, learning about the dangers of trespassing and to respect the lethal nature of high-voltage overhead lines. This hands-on training does more than just teach rail safety. It actively deters dangerous trespassing and anti-social behaviour by fostering a genuine respect for the network.”

Michael Richardson, Head of Fleet and Depot Replacement at Nexus, said: “This is a great legacy project within the ongoing roll out of the new Metro train fleet.

“The cab mock-up did a great job early on in the project when we used it to familiarise our drivers with the new trains ahead of the real ones arriving.

“It’s heartwarming to see that it’s now getting used to educate young people in railway safety and accident prevention. As a Metro operator we are committed to youth liaison work to ensure children understand the dangers of trespassing on our lines.”

Marc Robson, Head of Stadler Rail Service UK Newcastle: “The new Metro fleet will serve communities across Tyne and Wear for decades to come. It’s great to see the original cab mock-up continue to have an important use by helping young people learn about railway safety. The lessons learned at SafetyWorks! stay with children long after their visit, and that’s what makes this such a worthwhile project.”

Steve Thomas, Head of Prevention and Education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are very grateful to Nexus and Stadler for their generous donation of the replica Metro train. It will help ensure that the school groups visiting SafetyWorks! learn invaluable lessons about the dangers of playing on or near railway lines, alongside wider safety advice that could ultimately help save lives.

“SafetyWorks! is a unique facility that brings real-life situations to life, helping young people prepare for the challenges and experiences they may encounter as they move through their teenage years and into adulthood. By working closely with our partners, we can place the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities at the heart of learning and provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe.”

The Stadler mock-up, which is to scale, was used to help finalise the new fleet during the design process.

It was built based on the feedback Metro train crews provided on virtual reality software.

Stadler brought it over from Germany, where it was constructed, before being shipped to the UK and assembled on site in a workshop at the Gosforth Metro depot.

It boasts the full Metro cab layout, a driver’s seat, and the exterior is exactly what the new trains are like, right down to the yellow livery and running board.

The focus of SafetyWorks! lies in teaching pupils about various forms of health and safety, and there are a number of different day trips that schools can get involved with.

It prides itself on creating an interactive, informative day out. The classes are scenario-based, meaning children are immersed in realistic situations throughout their visit to learn about potential problems, how they arise and how to combat them directly.

All classes are held in a life-sized ‘safety town’, so the resources that the students interact with are the physical areas around them.