Rare footage found of first Metro fleet

23 October 2025

Eve ConnorNorth East and Cumbria

News image — The footage of the original trains was on eBay by a seller in Herefordshire

Nexus The original version of the metro train, with a white coloured upper half, and a yellow bottom half. It is travelling down a track with fields visible in the background and a cloudy sky. — The footage of the original trains was on eBay by a seller in Herefordshire

Rare colour footage of the Tyne and Wear Metro's first year of operation has been unearthed online.

The six-minute video provides a snapshot of the rail system in July 1981 when it was less than a year old.

It was discovered by public transport enthusiast Ian Chapman who spotted it for sale on eBay and decided to buy it "straight away".

Sarah McCourt, head of communications and marketing at operator Nexus, said: "The footage provides a nostalgic snapshot of the system when the first line between Haymarket and Tynemouth had been open for less than a year."

Nexus has added the footage to its YouTube channel so it is now digitised and preserved for future generations.

Allow Google YouTube content?

This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read

Google’s cookie policy

and

before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Google YouTube content may contain adverts.

The film, which was shot using an 8mm cine camera, shows the view from the front seat of a Metro train.

The opening title reveals it was filmed on Wednesday 29 July 1981. This was the same day as the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.

Metro was opened to the public in August 1980, with further sections added through to 1984.

It was further extended to Newcastle Airport in 1991 and to Sunderland in 2002.

Nexus There are five original Metro trains, with yellow and white colouring, that are stationary in what appears to be a warehouse. There is a slight grainy quality to the image. — The original fleet was made up of 90 trains

Mr Chapman, 55, a self-confessed Metro enthusiast and avid collector from Newcastle, said: "I'm always on the lookout for Metro memorabilia for my collection.

"I saw that the film was for sale on eBay and I put a bid in for it straight away. The seller was all the way down in Herefordshire.

"I was able to get the reel for just £11.99."

Nexus started production on a new fleet for the Metro in August 2021, with the current rolling stock being replaced with 46 new trains expected to be in full service by next year.