Metro’s original train fleet features in new urban art project

The project has seen the subway beneath the 55 Degrees North roundabout in Newcastle converted into a 75-metre-long gallery.

It features 39 pieces of bespoke artwork created by 90 art students from Newcastle College.

And the original Class 599 Metro trains in their familiar yellow and black livery – phased out of customer service in June this year – make an appearance in four of the exhibits.

The students produced designs inspired by the 60s pop art movement. Andy Warhol’s famous pop art style was a strong influence, with students using their artistic licence to create colourful and striking artwork with a modern twist.

Lynne Dickinson, Station Delivery Manager at Nexus, said: “It’s great to see Metro is part of this new art project. The students have done an amazing job.

“Our original trains served the public in North East England for 46 years. They became part of everyday life in our region.

“It’s fantastic to see young people taking inspiration from their legacy and bringing them to back to life through the medium of art.

“We hope that people enjoy going to see this exhibition. It’s a great collaboration by our colleagues at NE1, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle College.”

’55 Creative – Connecting people from spaces to places’ is an ambitious project delivered by NE1 in partnership with Newcastle City Council to improve the subway network underneath the 55 Degrees North roundabout, formerly known as the Swan House roundabout, which serves as the main pedestrian link between the city’s retail core and the Quayside.

To improve the pedestrian experience, instil a sense of pride in the area, and animate the blank walls, NE1 set a brief for local design students to create a striking display of bespoke artwork for permanent display in the new subway art gallery.

Before the Urban Gallery was created, a team of 100 volunteers set to work to whitewash the walls of three subways. It has been a huge task which took 400 litres of paint, 780 hours of volunteering time, and will result in more than 1,500 square metres of subway painted and refreshed.