This was the moment 45 years ago when workers deep under the streets of Newcastle marked a major milestone in the completion of the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The Chronicle reported on February 25, 1977: "Tunneller John Thorkildson pushes his way through the last few yards of earth to complete the link-up of the Metro's main tunnels near Grey's Monument.
"The tunnels met under Grainger Street a few yards south of the monument which will become the site of one of the system's major stations."
READ MORE: Then and Now - Northumberland Street, Newcastle, in 1971
There were local councillors and Metro officials on hand with a bottle of whisky to celebrate the breakthrough with the workers.
Our report continued: "After the 'Metro moles' have completed their work here, they will begin the ventilation and water tunnels off the main route, which runs from Jesmond, through the Haymarket to the Central Station.
"Work has also started on the secondary Newcastle tunnel, which runs east from St James' Park to Monument and Manors stations."
The idea for a new transport system for Tyneside had first been mooted in 1968 "if the region is not to be left standing as public transport needs increase".
Plans were revealed in 1970 for electric 'rapid transit' trains travelling on an underground railway running between Newcastle and Gateshead, using "a tunnel spanning the Tyne and a second tunnel under Newcastle city centre".
Work finally started in 1974 on the system with plans in place for a phased opening of the network.
It was expected the first section of the Metro, that would revolutionise public transport on Tyneside, would be up and running by 1979 (but, in the event, the first trains would begin running a year later).
Huge tunnels were driven beneath the streets of Newcastle and Gateshead. Stations and viaducts were constructed. A new bridge was built over the River Tyne (instead of a tunnel under the river as first envisaged) and a fleet of 90 Metro trains was purchased.
Many of the Metro’s lines, and some of the stations, had formed part of former suburban rail routes, and they were converted so they could carry the new lighter rail rolling stock.
The first passenger services began running on August 11, 1980 - though the official opening by Queen Elizabeth II would not take place until November 6 the following year.
This initial phase of the Metro cost £280million. At the time, the minimum price for a ticket was just 8p.
The system was extended to Gateshead in 1981, to South Shields in 1984, and to Newcastle Airport in 1991.
And the Sunderland line was opened in April 2002 at a cost £100m after a three-year construction project.
For more Chronicle nostalgia, including archive pictures and local history stories, click here to sign up to our free newsletter.
