Start Of Bogie Production For The New Tyne And Wear Metro EMUs

Just over two years since Stadler and Nexus signed the contract for 46 new trains for Tyne and Wear Metro, the manufacturing process is well under way and the process to build bogies will soon begin in earnest. 

The production of the 276 bogies, six for every train, is taking place in Valencia. Simultaneously the final assembly of the vehicles began in December 2021 and is continuing. All bogies for the first unit will be attached to the bodyshells within the next couple of months. The first train is scheduled to arrive in the north east for testing at the end of this year. It will be followed by personel training ahead of going into full service in 2023. 

Claudius Oblasser, project manager for Stadler, commented: “Despite the challenges posed by currently geopolitical events and their implications for global supply chains, Stadler is very pleased to be on the cusp of bogie production. Once these bogies are ready, all the fundamental components will have been built, and while much remains to be done before the trains are complete, I believe this stage demonstrates that real progress is being made, ahead of the rigorous programme of testing, set to kick off this summer.” 

Stadler is building a total of 46 new Metro trains for Nexus, which will be delivered up to 2024. The contract, signed in February 2020, includes a new maintenance plant, which is currently being built and a 35-year maintenance programme.