A Tyne and Wear Metro train which has been running since the network launched 40 years ago has been decked out in special livery inspired by how the carriages looked in the 1980s and 1990s.
Metrocar 4001, one of the original prototypes which has been in use on the Metro network since it opened in 1980, will be decorated with the unique external livery for the summer.
The unique design features new versions of each of Metro’s distinctive liveries since the system opened on August 11 1980 – the original Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive of white and yellow; bold blocks of red and blue introduced in the 1990s, and the current black and grey colour scheme.
The design was devised by Nexus in-house graphic artists Pamela Lockey and applied by a team at Metro’s South Gosforth depot.
Metro Operations Director, Chris Carson, said: “This new heritage livery captures our iconic colour schemes from down the years as we countdown to Metro’s 40th anniversary in August.
“Metro is at the heart of the communities that it serves, and it has been part of everyday life in our region for four decades, so this is a great way of celebrating its proud heritage and sharing that with our customers.
“The design fuses together that iconic yellow and white PTE livery we started with in the 1980s along with the equally as memorable red and blue design that was brought in during the mid-1990s when the trains were first refurbished.
“They are all distinctive liveries and will doubtless bring back many memories for people who have travelled on the Tyne and Wear Metro over the years, and many who still do so. It’s great nostalgia.
“We were determined to have this heritage train in service because some of the other events that we had planned to mark the 40th year of Metro have had to be postponed due to the pandemic.”
The carriage will be decked out with travelling exhibitions changing throughout the year, and celebrating Metro’s heritage, its place in the community, and the future arrival of new trains.
Nexus is asking the public for their ideas on how they want to see Metro’s 40th anniversary marked in a Covid-secure way. People can send their ideas by emailing customerservices@nexus.org.uk
