EXPERT model maker John Herdman has built a moving, scale model of Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains and hopes to see it displayed in a museum. The project was a labour of love for the 70-year-old, who spent three months assembling the 2.5m replica in Meccano – the iconic construction kit that has inspired model makers across the world for more than a hundred years. It was constructed using scores of individual pieces of standard Meccano parts. It runs on its own track and can be controlled remotely. The interior is even fitted with seats, handrails and other features.
Gateshead model maker creates his own Metro train out of Meccano
The 2.5 metre replica of the new Metro trains took expert model maker John Herdman three months to complete
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A unique Tyne and Wear Metro train has been recreated in Meccano thanks to one man’s labour of love.
BBC News
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image captionJohn Herdman (left) and Michael Steiner, of train manufacturer Stadler, with the Meccano model
A model maker has used Meccano to create his own version of new trains that will run on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
John Herdman spent three months making the remote-controlled miniature, which includes its own track, seats and handrails and is 2.5m (8ft) in length.
The 70-year-old chairman of the North Eastern Meccano Society described it as a labour of love .
He is hoping the model can go on display at museums in the North East.
Mr Herdman, of Whickham, Gateshead, said: I wrote to Nexus [Metro operator] to ask about putting this together and they then put me in contact with Stadler, the train builders, who sent me some dimensions.
Watch as demolition work begins on the 100-year-old Newcastle rail depot
The old Gosforth depot is being demolished to make way for a new £70m facility which will house the Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet
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Works begins on the new £70m Gosforth Metro train depot
Demolition work on the existing 100-year-old railway depot will begin next month to make way for the four year project
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Work has begun on Tyne and Wear Metroâs new £70m train depot in Newcastle which is expected to take four years to complete.