Metrocar 4041

Metrocar 4041Harry Cowans

Status	Active
Key dates	Ex-works[?] 19 July 1979 Accepted for service 27 October 1980 Pre-Wabtec[?] 2 August 2011 Post-Wabtec[?] 14 October 2011

4041 is a production Metrocar built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath, Birmingham. It is nicknamed "Harry Cowans" and contains a metal plaque in the articulated section explaining why.

Harry Cowans plaque transcription

Harry Cowans (1932-1985), born in Benwell, Newcastle, was a railwayman, trade union activist and local councillor who went on to be MP for Newcastle Central (1976-1983) and then Tyne Bridge (1983-1985).

His tireless campaigning in the 1970s as a Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Councillor and later an MP helped make sure the Tyne and Wear Metro was built, at a time when many other major projects across the country were being shelved. To honour his dedication throughout a long career in public life, Harry Cowans became the first person to have a Metrocar named in his honour.