A look inside the new £70m Gosforth depot, purpose built for new Stadler trains. See how they maintain the old and new fleet.
I toured the depot because I hadn’t seen it and wanted to observe train maintenance. It’s near the old Greggs site, Baker’s Yard. Its size impressed me right away.
The depot looks like a huge factory with “Stadler” displayed on the side. A train yard is next to it, where workers perform extensive maintenance. The depot accommodates both the new and old train models.
Marc Robson, the Head of Location, manages all depot maintenance work. He showed me the main workshop where trains enter for service and repairs. Inside, old and new trains sat together, their visual differences immediately apparent. The old trains looked dated, while the new trains looked very sleek.
I watched a train enter the building, and the precision involved in driving it in was evident. This job requires real skill, and drivers and workers bear a significant responsibility to keep the region moving.
Next, I went to the train yard and observed how they clean Metro exteriors. Graffiti is a significant problem that depot staff frequently address. One method involves workers manually spraying and scrubbing the train. This is precise, but tough and slow.
Stadler also uses a carriage wash, like a car wash for trains. I watched a train approach the wash, needing a faster, better clean. The train enters a metal shed, where misters and water spray it first, followed by rotating scrubbers that polish it, and blow dryers that finish the job.
Watching it was amazing, and I was surprised such a large-scale car wash could work. They will use the wash more with new trains.
I spoke with Marc Robson after the tour. He said they care for all trains, performing preventative and corrective work and keeping the trains clean.
Old trains require more hands-on repairs, while the new trains sometimes just need a laptop. New trains are more reliable, and staff enjoy working on them. They are working towards having enough operational trains for excellent service. Old trains currently cause many problems, and they want the Metro to be the best for everyone.
Leaving, I imagined the Metro’s future; the new fleet will solve old problems. The Stadler team is ready to modernize the Metro.