A Metrocar in which the Queen travelled when she officially opened the Tyne and Wear Metro has received a small livery change to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee year.

In November 1981, the Queen used 4020 to travel from Tynemouth to Haymarket, and it is still in service today.

Four of the official Platinum Jubilee logos have been added to the carriage, and information cards with the logo and photos of the Queen’s visit in 1981 have been placed in advertising spaces within the carriage.

Her Majesty The Queen has played an important role in the Metro’s history. As well as opening the Tyne & Wear Metro in 1981, which included naming the Queen Elizabeth II Metro bridge over the Tyne, she opened the Sunderland Metro line and Park Lane Interchange in 2002.

Prince Charles also travelled on Metrocar 4020 when he visited Tyne and Wear Metro in November 2021.

Her Majesty The Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee on 6th February this year. That date marked 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives are taking place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday, 2nd to Sunday, 5th June.

The idea for commemorating Metrocar 4020 came from one of Nexus’ youngest employees, 16-year old Alfie Gascoigne, who is an apprentice in the Bus Services Team. He said:

“All employees were asked what we could do as an organisation to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. I think the fact that we have still got the original train which the Queen first travelled on 40 years ago is really special, so I suggested that we mark up that one train carriage to commemorate the Jubilee. It looks fantastic!”

Nexus’ Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said:

“We’re delighted to be joining in with celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee, this is one of a number of initiatives our teams have been working on.

“The 4020 has a special place in Metro heritage and it was a great idea of Alfie’s to add the official Jubilee livery to show our support and appreciation for Her Majesty. Thanks also to our colleagues at Stadler for their support in getting the logo on the Metrocar.”