Tyne and Wear Metrocar
| Tyne and Wear Metrocar | |
|---|---|
A Metrocar, in the current black and yellow corporate livery at Meadow Well in January 2018 | |
Refurbished interior of a Metrocar | |
| Stock type | EMU |
| In service | 1980–present |
| Manufacturer | Metro-Cammell |
| Built at | Washwood Heath |
| Constructed | 1975–1981 |
| Entered service | 1980 |
| Refurbished |
|
| Number built | 90 |
| Number preserved | 1 |
| Number scrapped | 19 |
| Successor | Class 555 |
| Formation | Two carriages |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity | 64 seated, 188 standing |
| Operator | Tyne and Wear Metro |
| Depots | |
| Lines served | All Tyne and Wear Metro lines |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium and steel |
| Car length | 27.8 m (91 ft 2 in) |
| Width | 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 3.16 m (10 ft 4 in) |
| Doors | 4 sets of air-operated double doors on each side |
| Maximum speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Weight | 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons) |
| Power output | 2 × 185 kW (248 hp) per unit |
| Electric systems | 1,500 V DC overhead lines |
| Current collection | Pantograph (Brecknell Willis) |
| Coupling system | BSI |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Tyne and Wear Metrocars are a fleet of light rail vehicles manufactured by Metro-Cammell for the Tyne and Wear Metro in North East England between 1978 and 1981. For operation on Network Rail controlled tracks between Pelaw Junction and Sunderland, they are designated on TOPS as the British Rail Class 599. Trains were refurbished between 1996 and 2000, and between 2010 and 2015. Since 2024, they are being replaced by Class 555 trains built by Stadler.