Metrocar 4020
 | |
| Status | Preserved |
|---|---|
| Key dates |
|
| Grim reapers | 4050+4068 |
| Held liveries |
|
4020 is a production Metrocar built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath, Birmingham.
Platinum Jubilee stickers
[edit | edit source]4020 was the unit used by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during the Royal opening of the Metro network. In May 2022, to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, four official Platinum Jubilee logos were added to the outside of the unit, two on either side. Information cards with the logo and photos of the Queen’s visit were also placed in advertising spaces inside of the unit.[1] Two of the exterior logos and all of the information cards have since been removed, but the other two Jubilee logos remain on one side of the unit (the left side when facing the A end from the inside).[OR]
Preservation
[edit | edit source]4020 is preserved at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM).[2]
It was originally said that 4020 was earmarked for Beamish Museum.[3][4][5] The location had changed to NELSAM by February 2026, although the fact that Beamish would no longer be taking it wasn't confirmed to the public until 2 June 2026,[6] and the specific museum that would be taking it instead wasn't confirmed to the public until it arrived at NELSAM.[2]
4020 made its final journey on the Metro network on 29 June 2026, when 4050 and 4068 dragged it from Gosforth Depot to Howdon Depot, where it was winched up onto a Railway Support Services (RSS) low-loader and then stored overnight. The same ramp used to lift 4020 onto the low-loader was moved to NELSAM.[OR]
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4020 heading up the ramp towards the low-loader -
Overnight storage
The next day, on 30 June 2026, RSS hauled 4020 on road from Howdon Depot to NELSAM,[2] where a Vickers aircraft tractor pulled it back down the ramp using a winch.
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4020 being winched down the ramp at NELSAM by a Vickers aircraft tractor -
4020 in situ at NELSAM
The official handover process occurred on 1 July 2026.[7]
The track used to hold 4020 in the museum was removed from Chillingham Road during modernisation work in February 2026.[OR] According to the BBC, people will be able to go inside 4020 in the museum by the end of 2026.[2] 4020 is currently stored outdoors, but NELSAM plans to build "Usworth station"[8] around it,[9] featuring a ticket machine, ticket gates and a platform.[10]
On 3 July 2026, the side of 4020 without the Jubilee stickers was vandalised with graffiti. The Sunderland Echo was told by Nexus that "they will support the museum with removing the graffiti", and by NELSAM that "the museum now needs to raise sufficient funds to extend their current hanger to ensure the Royal Metro train is displayed inside the covered section of the museum".[11]
Sources
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Nexus (20 May 2022), "Historic Metrocar gets a Royal makeover for the Platinum Jubilee" (accessed 26 August 2025)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bilalova, Pamela; Scott, Jim (30 June 2026). "'Royal' Metro preserved for future generations" (archived). BBC.
- ↑ Younger, Owen (12 September 2025). "Tyne and Wear Metro's first ever train donated to Stephenson Steam Railway". Chronicle Live (archived)
- ↑ Prior, Gareth (11 September 2025). "Another old Metro train leaves – but this time its not for scrap!" (archived). British Trams Online
- ↑ Smith, Roger (12 September 2025). "Original Tyne and Wear Metro unit donated to Tyneside railway for preservation" (archived). Rail Advent
- ↑ Holland, Daniel (2 June 2026). "End of an era as Tyne and Wear Metro confirms dates for old trains' final farewell journey" (archived). ChronicleLive.
- ↑ Fatkin, Neil (1 July 2026). ""Part of our heritage" - Watch Royal Metro Train take pride of place in new home at Land Sea and Air Museum" (archived). Sunderland Echo.
- ↑ Charles, David (30 June 2026). "Royal Metro makes final journey to Washington" (Podcast). Need To Know North East. BBC Radio Newcastle. Quote at 0:26. Retrieved 2 July 2026. "It's coming to our new Usworth station in Washington."
- ↑ Charles, David (30 June 2026). "Royal Metro makes final journey to Washington" (Podcast). Need To Know North East. BBC Radio Newcastle. Quote at 1:40. Retrieved 2 July 2026. "and then the plan is the building will be extended over the top of it"
- ↑ Charles, David (30 June 2026). "Royal Metro makes final journey to Washington" (Podcast). Need To Know North East. BBC Radio Newcastle. Quote at 2:10. Retrieved 2 July 2026. "At one end, we will have the ticketing machine, the entrance gates, we'll have the platform"
- ↑ Fatkin, Neil (8 July 2026). "Washington museum volunteers "gutted" as Royal Metro vandalised less than 48 hours after going on display" (archived). Sunderland Echo.
