Metro’s old train fleet set for its final week in service

They will be operating on the Yellow and Green Metro lines from 9.30am to 5.30pm from Monday 22 June, until 5.30pm on Friday 26 June.

A full timetable for the week, for each line, can be seen below.

View the time tables here. Yellow Line. Green Line. 

The timetable of where customers can travel on the old trains will be shared on Metro’s social media channels, including its X page (formerly Twitter) @My_Metro.

It will also be the last chance for customers to have the driver’s eye view when travelling on the front seats of the old Metro carriages, something which has become a much-loved cultural touchstone over the last 46 years.

Nexus said that the front seats had brought joy to millions of customers over the years, and they were a big part of Metro’s history.

Metro’s original Class 599 trains have carried 1.7 billion customer journeys since entering service in August 1980 and they have clocked up half a billion kilometres.

As the last old train returns to the depot, it will mark the end of an era for Metro and for North East England’s proud railway heritage.

Cathy Masarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “Next week will be really significant for the Tyne and Wear Metro as we get ready to say farewell to our old trains.

“The last few trains will be in service week commencing 22 June until 5.30pm on the Friday, 26 June. Customers may still see the occasional 599 around the Metro system after this date, but this is their last guaranteed chance to travel on one. The bulk of our services are now provided by the new Stadler trains.

“This is the end of an era for Metro and many customers will be sad to see them go. The old fleet has given us 46 years of service, but it’s now time to look to the future and our new train fleet.

“This week is also the last chance for customers to get the front seat view on the Metro. We know that people are going to miss this treasured aspect of travelling on the old fleet. That driver’s eye view of the line has been popular with people of all ages.”

Final 599 Timetable – Yellow – St Jame – South Shields

Final 599 Timetable – Green – Airport – South Hylton