The Tyne and Wear Metro and why I love it!

This week, we take another look at The Tyne and Wear Metro their soon to be retired trains!
Date of Travel: August 2023
Class of Travel: Standard Class (2nd Class)
Rolling Stock: Class 559 Tyne and Wear Metrocar
Type of Service: N/A
Operator: Tyne and Wear Metro
Train Number: N/A
Origin: Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom (England)
Destination: Sunderland, United Kingdom (England)
Cost of ticket: £3.25 ($4.05, €3.80)
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[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

"I just hope the new trains can offer the same high level of service that these trains have been offering for many years" - you crack me up Dylan!

[@philipwalton4877]

I don’t get it. Is this a joke?

[@roderickjoyce6716]

@@philipwalton4877 Not if you have to use the Metro - it is amazing that trains that had an expected working life of about 30 years in Germany (the Metrocars are an adapted version of the light rail vehicles that used to run in Cologna and Bonn) are still staggering along 43 years after they were built. The trains have always run in pairs in normal service; but they are now permanently coupled as the inner cabs of each pair have been cannibalised for parts to keep the outer cabs operational. Other parts are unobtainable because nobody makes them any more. So there are frequent breakdowns and lesser problems - recently the heating on some units has turned the trains into mobile saunas. I am looking forward to see 4001 in retirement at the Stephenson Railway Museum, but can't wait for the new Stadler 5-car sets. I'll miss the view from the front of the train, but I'll have a reliable ride to work.

[@commuterjack]

​@@philipwalton4877Old ones are breaking down like everyday coz of their age

[@edificity]

Nice to see you exploring my stomping ground, Dylan, and glad you had a nice time on our lovely old metrocars. You should come and try out the yellow line along the coast when the 555s arrive - it's got some really beautiful historic stations. If any other viewers are interested I make my own videos about the history and features of the Metro :)

[@Farleigh1050]

hi edificity

[@edificity]

@@Farleigh1050 👋

[@holnrew]

Tynemouth station is my favourite. Favourite beach too! Not lived around there in a while though so I'll subscribe to scratch my metro itch

[@richardsmith2627]

The Metro is like the lidl of the railway world. No Frills Cheap but does what it needs todo!

[@Sulticune]

Finally, nice to see you in my hometown at last!

[@davidaarthur]

I must say I like the bold design of the inner stations, with the huge names and distinctive font.

[@CM_Railways]

glad you enjoyed my local metro!

[@bwolper]

It was nice to see you do a metro system.

[@butikimbo9595]

This "pretendo trains" that are actually trams in a train body shell, are ageing and lasting longer serving commuters compared to their technologically identical T68 and T69 fleets that entered service much later and retired much earlier. Enjoyed a lot to travel on one of this T&W metro cars as they resemble Manchester Metrolink old trams and old portuguese Estoril Line suburban trains, the later half cab fitted, providing a very enjoyable front view of the track. Thank you for sharing another nice and informative video.

[@stevelknievel4183]

The spur off of the Great Western Main Line into Heathrow Airport also has its distances measured in kilometres rather than miles.

[@AlexanderBrassington]

Some UK trams have speeds and distances in km. That I know of: Manchester, Nottingham and West Midlands do. This is the only non-tram to have speeds and distances in km though I think

[@lindseyrea9237]

Did this journey in reverse 2 weeks ago. Went from Sunderland to Newcastle Station. Agree about the comfort of the seats and overall it was a pleasant experience except for some loud and drunken bloke who appeared to be having beer for breakfast.

[@telemachus53]

I took exactly the same journey in search of my ancestors' roots in Sunderland. There was no "No Access" sign up so I joyfully sat in the front seat looking at the tracks before me. I wonder why they restricted access.

[@markkennedy2086]

I think it had something to with COVID and the fact that the drivers' cab is to the left of the front seat.

[@TomCro73]

@@markkennedy2086 So to be tiresomely scientific, it had NOTHING to do with Covid and the fact that the driver's cab is to the left of the front seat.

[@pineappleroad]

Im not 100% sure, but i think it may have been due to passenger behaviour (I seem to recall that it was early to mid 2023 when they closed off the front seats, but they are now opening them up again)

[@AndrewG1989]

The new Tyne and Wear Metro Class 555 should be in service from next year and to replace the Class 994 rolling stocks. I definitely would like to visit Newcastle and to ride on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

[@colinseeney471]

Thanks I've only done the other line to the Coast. So nice to see.

[@dangsirawan5600]

Metro Train.... 🤔🤔 nice Subway 👍👍 greetings from Indonesia🇮🇩 🙏🙏

[@SweetUniverse]

I like your new rating visual! 😊😊👍👍👍

[@johnburke5384]

An interesting report Dylan and looking forward to next weeks trip ! I wonder if perhaps when time allows, a visit to the rail system of Lithuania might be of interest...

[@harryelliott4310]

Tyne And Wear Metro

[@iandrew6347]

Great video Sir

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Boa tarde bom viagem Dylan lindo metrô

[@annabelholland]

The fact that only a few UK cities have a metro and/or light rail system. London and Glasgow are safe. Newcastle is often considered as such. Manchester maybe considered a metro even though it is very light. Same can be said for Liverpool except its not considered light rail. I think that HS1 is the only 'mainline' railway that uses km/h to the point even domestic trains use it. Not sure about HS2 and east west rail

[@john07973]

Good stuff 👍

[@smurfman6377]

Great short line haul.

[@luisstransport]

Great video Dylan

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip.

[@Robslondon]

Really enjoyed this Dylan.

[@KeyNation]

I’ve used it before but it felts like a time zone of the 1989

[@ThomasWhiteford]

With T&W Metrol to Sunderland also Partly Sharing the National Rail Line with Nothern

[@SAFC_Ted]

Nice

[@user-gk8gg1zt7l]

Good video, like .

[@John_Fugazzi]

I was surprised the original 1980 train cars were being used but they seemed to be clean and pleasant.

[@tomjardine100]

1980 isn't excessively old for a train. There is 50 year old trains operating widely elsewhere

[@amytysoe2292]

they were all relatively recently refurbed (about 5-10 years ago), but at the end of the day they're 10 years past their design lifespan, falling apart and very unreliable - door faults are extremely common and there's a couple of services cancelled most days due to breakdowns of some sort. They're definitely ready to be retired.

[@Farleigh1050]

theyre really not that old. the 38 stock survived uo to about 2022. but they will be replaced with the 555

[@glenncooney3959]

Those ticket barriers look pretty much identical to the ones that are used by the TTC in Toronto, Canada.

[@gordon3178]

I been using the trains before and during the transfer from british rail to the tyne and wear metro and now the new trains are on the way only thing is the lacckos seats as there be more people standing then sitting i I going to get some of the stick folding seats

[@andrewwilson6240]

The Nottingham tram (NET) has distance and speed in metric. I suspect that it is the case for most tram systems

[@timbounds7190]

The new trains don't look very good to me - the seats mostly face inwards, rather than forward and back, and the view to the front has been lost! The whole system was fantastic in the early days, but it seems to be stuck in a time warp, except that services are less frequent and the old stock has become much less reliable.

[@adamschannel2]

You should travel the West Midlands Metro

[@sarribel]

❤❤

[@___spiritofadventure___]

It's crying out for a westward extension from St James.

[@pacerclara]

I'm pretty sure that the Glasgow Subway has also used kilometres since the 1977-1980 modernisation

[@Dang6712]

Update, April 25th 2024, new trains still not in operation, no definite date as to when they will come into service due to numerous problems.

[@Cpr1234]

I could be wrong but I believe the speed limits on the Cambrian Lines are also in kilometres an hour. It's because the line uses ERTMS in cab ETCS (ERTMS stands for European Rail Traffic Management System, ETCS stands for European Train Control System). You'll most likely know where I'm going here, since km/h speed limits are dominant in mainland Europe.

[@scotty241991]

Indeed it is, Black speed signs with red rims and white letters instead of white with red rim and black letters.

[@MatthewK421]

0:56 not sure if this counts, but the Central Line in London uses kph to measure speed

[@transportlegend.shorts]

Dylan please go on a review of a sas of jet2 plane

[@iandrew6347]

Hi Sir

[@harrytrains37]

7:50 the signals still red but the trains departed usually they wait for both signals to clear

[@Milky_M404]

Usually they set off anyways as they know that usually it will change by the time they get there, if the signal ahead wouldn't clear in time the signal the train is on at the platform will stay on red.

[@Farleigh1050]

7:50 Red signal and lit OFF?

[@StanRoches]

Croydon Trams speed limits are in km/h

[@bangerbangerbro]

Shame I didn't go on it last time I was in newcastle.

[@pigeonsareugly]

If you’re ever in Newcastle and the weather isn’t abysmal I’d 100% recommend getting the metro out to Tynemouth or Whitley Bay

[@JISJ1964]

Is it something so special as a metro-system with overhead feeding of the electricity?

[@scotty241991]

It's not exceptional but not usual, overhead = extra head space = bigger tunnels = higher building cost. That's why most undergrounds use 3rd rail.

[@clintoneweka9116]

It's not next year. Is later this year is coming to service with the new stadler rail metro class 555.

[@Lynxfan2]

Hi there Dylan, both the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway measures both distances and speeds in metric as well. This may also be the case with the Croydon Tram network. Best wishes and take care. Kind regards, Peter Skuce, St Albans. Hertfordshire.

[@MarksWorldOfAdventure]

If you make multiple journeys on the metro in a single day, and you charge them all to your pop card, do you get charged for each journey or do you get charged for a day ticket?

[@lozyoung4110]

Maximum charge per day is the price of a day ticket, no matter how many journeys you make 🙂

[@weezersthebluealbum9479]

The one thing these carriages need the most is more security, the amount of times I’ve been verbally and physically assaulted on the line from Byker to Whitley Bay is ridiculous.

[@Farleigh1050]

train design cannot change the type of people

[@harrisonsnazel7482]

First. you should have put on your newcastle acsent on 🤣

[@vaughnwilliams1208]

Should *HAVE* put

[@Danse_Macabre_125]

S H O U L D H A V E not "should of"

[@collectivelyimprovingtrans2460]

The trains use TOPS, it’s the Class 509

[@Fan652w]

Is it possible to pay your fare 'contactless'?

[@Munrob88]

Unfortunately not, just 'pop cards' or tickets from the machines.

[@Fan652w]

@@Munrob88Thanks! But do the ticket machines accept contactless payments?

[@Munrob88]

@@Fan652w Ah sorry, yes you can!

[@Fan652w]

@@Munrob88 Many thanks!

[@equaltoreality8028]

Most Trams Run KM/h instead of MPH. manchester being the only exception to that rule.

[@keithparker1346]

Never knew there was another metro other than London underground and the Glasgow one

[@Apathy.Apathy.]

Merseyrail is also sort of a metro. It’s technically commuter rail but it acts almost the same as a metro.

[@jasongnrfan7374]

I like these units I dont like the seating on the new ones

[@iandrew6347]

I didn’t know that Newcastle had a underground system

[@musicgarryj]

I'm not a fan of the current predominantly black with yellow doors livery. It's not exactly warm and welcoming.....more scary and sinister! If they're going to be replacing these iconic units I think they should commemorate their long service by repainting at least one set in the original friendly and happy yellow and white livery. Just my humble opinion!

[@charlesbaran1106]

The term metro implies city, so it was a surprise to see the rural scenery at 5:50.

[@samtrak1204]

I thought that the UK had totally adopted the metric system many many moons ago as opposed to the U.S. that promised but never delivered

[@tomjardine100]

Tyne and wear metro used to be good. Now the trains are old and unreliable now

[@dalektorgo2973]

Laughing at the antisocial behavior poster. Would be smeared with feces and worse in certain USA cities.

[@Debbiestrainsandtoys]

Don’t do the Tyne and Wear metro on Game you’ll get drunk and abusive commuters

[@philip244]

Low standards, just like the rest of the city

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

The car-body design of these trains was ATROCIOUS at best, these were introduced in the year of 1980, yet London Underground trains of CO/CP Stock of the late 1930's were of a considerably better design.