The first new Tyne and Wear Metro train has been captured on video being put through its paces at the Stadler test track in Switzerland.
The new train, one of the first in the new £362m Metro fleet to be completed, can be seen running along a special test track. Click here to see the video.
It is being put through a process of what is known as dynamic and static testing at Stadler’s train test facility in Erlen.
Two of the first new trains will then be sent to a larger and much longer test track in the Czech Republic, and this is when some of the Metro drivers will get their first chance to drive one.
The first new Metro train is scheduled to arrive in the region in December. It will go into a further testing and training phase on the Metro network before it can enter passenger service.
Head of Fleet and Depot Renewal at Nexus, Michael Richardson, said: “It’s brilliant to see the first new Metro train moving along the Stadler test track.
“This is a really important phase of the project as the first few units undergo rigorous testing before we start taking delivery of them.
“This new footage gives our customers a glimpse of what the new trains will be like as we countdown to the first one arriving in North East England at the end of the year.
“The video shows the new train at Stadler’s commissioning and start-up centre in Switzerland. This where they send new trains fresh from the production line for inspection, testing and commissioning.
“The new trains are going to deliver a step-change in quality for our customers when they start entering full service next year and we are really excited to see them taking shape.”
Stadler is building a total of 46 new Metro trains for Nexus.
The new trains 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.
Stadler is also close to completing a new £70m Metro depot at Gosforth in Newcastle, which will be a modern new home for the new Metro trains.