Metrocar 4022
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| Status | Scrapped |
|---|---|
| Key dates |
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4022 is a production Metrocar built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath, Birmingham. It was the first metrocar to be permanently withdrawn and to be scrapped.
Derailment
[edit | edit source]On 30 March 2017, 4022 was booked in service for a saloon door fault. At approximately 21:00, a driver was verbally instructed without formal authorization to shunt 4022+4072 within the old Gosforth Depot from road 13E to the inspection shed on road 7E.[1]
The driver set off towards the east-end crossover. However, due to the lack of authorization, the track points connecting road 13E and road 15E were set towards road 15E. The driver passed the points, and the wheelset of the frontmost bogie A of 4022 temporarily pushed the switch blades across, allowing the train to continue without causing any damage. The switch blades then sprung back into their original position. After passing the points, the driver noticed a danger signal and immediately stopped. As a result, most of the train (all of 4072 and two of 4022's wheelsets) were still set for road 13E, but 4022's frontmost wheelset was now set for road 15E.
After realizing their mistake, a driver boarded 4072 to drive the train back towards road 13. This move back was a second unauthorized move. Since the wheelset of 4022's bogie A (now the rearmost bogie) was still set for road 15, the move back towards road 13 caused the wheelset to ride up and onto the rails between roads 15 and 14. As the train continued to move, 4022 was severely bent, more of 4022 was derailed, and damage was caused to parts of the rail and the overhead line. The damage to the overhead line caused a power trip, forcing the train to finally stop.
This incident was the third metrocar derailment in 10 years, but this was the first incident to result in the permanent withdrawal of the metrocar. Railway Support Services were called in to re-rail 4022, and this re-railment was completed at around 09:30 the following morning. 4022 sustained a lot of damage, particularly surrounding its articulated section.
Disposal
[edit | edit source]In June 2017, 4022 was taken for repairs to Bristol Barton Hill TMD by an Allelys low-loader escorted by Priest Abnormal Load Services[2]. Upon arriving at Bristol, and after investigations into the damage caused, it was decided that it would be uneconomical to repair the unit[3]. As such, it remained in sidings in Barton Hill for two years.
In October 2019, 4022 was taken from Bristol to Nemesis Rail in Burton upon Trent[3] by another low-loader. Here, it was stripped for many of its parts, including both cab ends and a bogie, which were transported back to Gosforth Depot by Reid Freight Services. Following parts recovery, in early 2020, 4022 was scrapped at Nemesis Rail.
Sources
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Metro (30 April 2020), "An Investigation into a derailment At Gosforth Depot Involving Metrocars 4022 & 4072. via RailUKforums
- ↑ @pals_abload (29 June 2017). "Some pix from the last few weeks" (accessed 2 February 2026). Instagram
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Prior, Gareth (2 July 2020). "Tyne and Wear Metro 4022 scrapped" (archived). British Trams Online News
