A new-look Metro has been pictured on one of the world's most scenic railway routes ahead of the first trains arriving in the North East in just a few weeks time.
The Stadler Class 555 train was photographed on the tracks of the Rigi Bahn, a mountain railway located between the two arms of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. It is the highest standard gauge railway in Europe at a height of 1,752 metres, though the Metro was shot much closer to sea level at a holding facility.
The train was awaiting preliminary testing and commissioning ahead of delivery to Velim in the Czech Republic for "dynamic" testing on a large track. The first of the new 46 Metro trains are expected to arrive in the North East in just a few weeks, ahead of further testing and driver training before entering passenger service in the autumn.
Read more: Metro boss says new trains 'can't come fast enough' after old fleet struggles in freezing weather
The Tyne and Wear Metro has been under fire from passengers who have been frustrated by an aging fleet, with Nexus managing director Martin Kearney telling members of the North East Joint Transport Committee in December that the new trains "can't come fast enough". Kearney also admitted last month that passengers "deserve better" after months of delays and disruption, while passengers were frustrated on Sunday when a power dip temporarily brought the service to a halt less than an-hour-and-a-half before the kick-off of Newcastle vs Fulham.
But bosses are optimistic of offering a better service once the new trains take to the tracks in the autumn. A Nexus spokesperson said: "We are really excited to be counting down to our first new Stadler Metro train arriving in the region in a couple of weeks’ time.
"There are two trains completed which have been sent to a vast test track in the Czech Republic to go through a rigorous process of dynamic testing. The second train to move over there was stabled at Rigi in Switzerland. We have 46 trains on order from Stadler.
"The first new train will arrive in the north east really soon and will then enter a further testing and training phase. This will be a chance for our drivers to do some training on the real thing before it enters service for passengers in the autumn.
"These trains mark the start of a new era for Metro. They will deliver a step change in comfort and quality, and will cut energy consumption, will have modern features including charging points, air conditioning and a step-change in accessibility.
"Among the new features will be an automatic sliding step at every door of the new trains, making travel easier for Metro’s 50,000 wheelchair passengers as well as people with children’s buggies, luggage or bicycles."
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