“World first” trains commission for artists announced by Metro operator

Train-loving artists have the chance to create work for the Tyne and Wear Metro’s new £362 million train fleet.

The commission has been announced by Nexus, which operates the Tyne and Wear Metro, and has been grant-funded by Arts Council England.

Nexus says this will be the first time in the world artists will be selected for large-scale original works for the interior of 46 new trains – which will serve customers in 2023.

The call is open to all artists up to the challenge. Of these applicants, a final four will be chosen to create permanent works which will be seen by the Metro’s 35 million annual customers.

The artwork will be on display on each train’s end walls, facing into the passenger seating areas.

Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus, said: “We are seeking established artists for a unique opportunity to create new visual works for Metro which will be seen by millions of people as they travel in North East England. 

“We believe this is the first time in the world a commission has been launched for large-scale permanent art within a new train, and it builds on our long and proud heritage bringing inspiration to local people’s journeys.

“The design of our new trains has been shaped by the customers who will use them through extensive consultation with more than 23,000 people.  One key theme was that customers wanted to see the end walls brought to life, and with project grant funding from Arts Council England we are able to achieve that.”

Jane Tarr, director north, Arts Council England, said “I’m delighted that we are supporting Nexus through our National Lottery Project Grants programme to commission artists to create permanent artworks for Metro trains.

“This is a great opportunity for a number of different artists to produce exciting work reflecting the heritage and diversity of the region which will be enjoyed by millions of passengers a year. I look forward to seeing how the project develops and to seeing the artwork on the trains in person!”

Over the last 40 years, Nexus has become known the working with funding partners and community organisations to add art and cultural activity to the public transport of North East England.

This initiative is being brought about through Nexus working with Stadler and Arts Council England to fund the work.

Stadler will apply reproductions of the finished works to cab walls during the manufacturing of the new Metro trains, within its existing contract with Nexus.  The company had included scope for graphics to appear on the walls within its original bid, and the Arts Council England funding means that it will be artists who create these.

Artists are invited to submit applications to Nexus before 28 February 2022, with further details at New Metro train artwork – call for artists | nexus.org.uk

A final four artists will be selected to create works by the summer, with the first train arriving in North East England at the end of this year, and the fleet entering service from summer 2023.

Stadler is building 46 new Metro trains for Nexus, which will be delivered up to 2024. It will be responsible for servicing and maintaining these trains for 35 years, and are also in the process of building a new £70m Metro depot at Gosforth as part of the new fleet project.

The new trains, designed to be 15 times more reliable and to cut energy consumption by 30%, will have modern features including improved internet connectivity, charging points, air conditioning and improved accessibility.

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