March 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Tyne and Wear Metro's South Tyneside line. Photo: Nexus.March 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Tyne and Wear Metro's South Tyneside line. Photo: Nexus.
March 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Tyne and Wear Metro's South Tyneside line. Photo: Nexus. | Nexus

Journey back in time as the Tyne and Wear Metro marks 40 years in South Tyneside

These fantastic photos give a glimpse into the history of the Tyne and Wear Metro in South Tyneside.

Nexus, the public body which manages and operates the Tyne and Wear Metro, is celebrating 40 years since the transport system launched in the borough.

Since it officially opened on March 23, 1984, the line, which runs from Pelaw to South Shields, has carried more than 200 million passengers.

The opening of the South Tyneside line marked the final stage of the original Metro network, with further extensions to Newcastle Airport added in 1991 and to Sunderland in 2002.

The South Tyneside line was formerly part of the old Tyneside Electric rail network, which the Tyne and Wear PTE took over from British Rail and converted it to allow the operation of Metro services.

A big thanks to Nexus for sharing these incredible photos with us from years gone by in the borough.

Take a journey back in time to view some of the history of the Tyne and Wear Metro network in South Tyneside.