By Eoin, 17
After many delays the new set of Tyne and Wear Metro trains, known as the British Rail Class 555s, were brought into public use on the 18th of December 2024. The original set of “Metrocars” have been in service since the metro was first opened in 1980 by Queen Elizabeth II, and are set to leave service by the end of this year.
Generally, I was impressed by the new Metro Cars. The accessibility provided by the automatic ramps into the class 555 clearly makes it a more reliable transit system, compared to the metrocars where ramps required an attendant to bring them out.
The CCTV in every carriage was quite reassuring. The new digital maps which update at every stop were also quite helpful, ensuring I knew how far I was from getting off at my stop. I am also aware that there is air conditioning installed so by the hot days of the year passengers should be able to relax in comfort.
The USB ports in the new “class 555” metro trains are rather slow and already near obsolete. They are USB Type A, a standard which is already widely replaced by USB Type C. These are being used in most devices by all electronics manufacturers which makes the use of USB Type A feel like an oversight on nexus’ behalf.
In June 2025, the government announced funding to extend the Metro line to Washington as part of a £1.85 Billion transit deal with the North East Combined Mayoral Authority. The proposed line will connect from Pelaw in Gateshead, and hopefully pass through Follingsby Park and two new stations, Washington North and South, creating the “Washington Loop.”
In the future, the long-suggested extensions to Team Valley and the Metro Centre, which have been placed in a series of planning documents, could bring in a few million more journeys a year with all the key shopping venues in the Newcastle Gateshead area covered by the service. And while the current Washington extension will not include those areas, it does suggest the Metro is not a completed project and still does have some space left to expand in the future.
Furthermore, these expansions could heavily reduce local car dependence. The Team Valley area is one of the region’s biggest employers and the Metro Centre is one of the UK’s largest indoor shopping centres while at the same time, both areas almost require a car or bus to access.
And that brings us to the end of this series of articles on the past, present and future of the Tyne and Wear metro.
Photos by @Ephotographyncl
This was created by young people as part of the Headliners Young Journalist programme. This project was made possible by the Million Hours Fund.
