When Northern Trains opened its charity Heaton Depot Open Day Heaton TrainCare Centre, 762 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QN, it also marked the facility’s 150‑year milestone as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations. The two‑day spectacle drew families, railfans and local dignitaries to the historic depot in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the freshly restored Sir Nigel Gresley A4 Pacific steam locomotive steamed into view alongside modern rolling stock.
Historical context: 150 years of rail service
Founded in 1875, the Heaton TrainCare Centre has been a backbone of the North East’s rail network for a generation and a half. Initially a simple engine shed for coal‑capped steam locomotives, the depot survived two world wars, the Beeching cuts of the 1960s and the shift to diesel and electric traction. Its continuous operation makes it one of Britain’s oldest working maintenance facilities, a claim backed by records from the National Railway Museum and the historic archives of the former British Railways Board.
Today the centre services hundreds of trains daily for a roster of operators, including the regional workhorse fleet of Northern Trains, long‑distance intercity units for LNER and the high‑speed Nova units of TransPennine Express. Its strategic location on Shields Road gives it quick access to the East Coast Main Line, the Tyne Valley route and the electrified sections that criss‑cross northern England.
Event highlights: What visitors got to see
The open day offered a rare glimpse behind the steel doors that usually hide grease‑stained technicians and humming diagnostics equipment. Guided tours, led by senior engineers, took groups through the wheel lathe, the paint shop and the high‑bay lifts where bogies are swapped in minutes. Demonstrations included a live brake‑testing cycle on a Class 15x locomotive, showing how safety checks are carried out before a train departs for service.
Live music from a local folk band played on a temporary stage beside the main yard, while food trucks served everything from Yorkshire puddings to vegan samosas. Heritage groups set up temporary exhibits, showcasing original 19th‑century photographs, engineering drawings and a timeline of the depot’s evolution.
Locomotive lineup: From steam legends to modern marvels
Organisers curated a diverse fleet to illustrate the depot’s role across eras. The centerpiece was the restored Sir Nigel Gresley A4 Pacific, painted in its original LNER Apple Green livery and complete with its iconic streamlined nose. Beside it stood the diesel‑powered Deltic Class 55, affectionately dubbed the “King of the Diesels”, its twin Paxman engines still gleaming after a recent overhaul.
- Class 15x series – the everyday regional workhorses of Northern Trains.
- LNER Intercity Class 225 – a high‑speed electric unit used on the East Coast Main Line.
- LNER Azuma – the newest electric multiple‑unit, showcasing the future of intercity travel.
- TransPennine Express Nova 1 – a sleek diesel‑electric train designed for cross‑country routes.
- Class 142 Pacer – a nostalgic reminder of 1980s commuter services.
- HST Class 125 – featured only on Saturday as part of a special Railtour by the 125 Group.
Each exhibit included interpretive panels explaining the engineering breakthroughs and the daily maintenance tasks performed at the depot to keep them on schedule.
Visitor experience: Hands‑on fun and memorabilia
Families enjoyed interactive stations where kids could try “signal the train” on a replica lever frame, while adults tested their knowledge in a rail‑trivia quiz that offered limited‑edition Heaton 150 pins as prizes. A pop‑up shop sold commemorative t‑shirts, enamel badges and a coffee‑table book chronicling the depot’s 150‑year story – supplies ran low by Sunday, prompting a modest rush at the checkout.
Charity partners, including the Railway Heritage Trust, collected donations throughout the weekend. By the end of the two days, more than £12,400 had been raised for the Trust’s apprenticeship programme, a figure that organisers called “a fitting tribute to the depot’s legacy of training the next generation of rail engineers”.
Impact and future outlook
The open day did more than celebrate history; it highlighted the centre’s pivotal role in keeping the Northern England rail network reliable. As Northern Trains rolls out its new Class 555 “Cumbrian Star” units, Heaton will be the primary maintenance hub, ensuring those trains meet punctuality targets set by the Department for Transport.
Moreover, the event reinforced the broader goals of the Railway 200 programme – to raise public awareness of how historic infrastructure underpins modern mobility. By inviting the community into the usually restricted world of train care, the depot hopes to inspire future engineers and attract raw talent to its apprenticeship schemes.
What’s next for Heaton TrainCare Centre?
Looking ahead, depot managers plan a series of themed open days – a “Future Tech” showcase slated for spring 2026, focusing on hydrogen‑fuel prototypes and digital diagnostics. The facility is also slated for a £4.2 million upgrade in early 2027, which will add a new battery‑charging bay and expand the wheel‑lathe capacity to handle the growing fleet of electric multiple units.
For now, the success of the 150th‑anniversary weekend stands as a reminder that even in an age of high‑speed travel, the humble depot remains the heartbeat of the railway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the open day benefit local families?
Beyond the fun of live music and food stalls, families got hands‑on rail education – kids tried signalling levers, parents learned about train safety, and the charity collection helped fund local apprenticeships, creating long‑term community value.
What historic locomotives were on display?
The star attraction was the restored Sir Nigel Gresley A4 Pacific, complemented by the diesel‑powered Deltic Class 55, a classic Class 142 Pacer and several modern intercity units, illustrating the depot’s service span from steam to high‑speed electric.
Why is Heaton TrainCare Centre considered strategically important?
Located on Shields Road, the centre sits at the crossroads of the East Coast Main Line and regional routes, allowing it to service Northern Trains, LNER and TransPennine Express fleets efficiently, keeping millions of passengers moving each year.
What future events are planned for the depot?
Organisers have announced a “Future Tech” open day for spring 2026, focusing on hydrogen‑fuel and digital diagnostics, plus a major £4.2 million infrastructure upgrade slated for 2027 to expand capacity for electric units.
How much was raised for charity during the weekend?
The two‑day event generated more than £12,400 for the Railway Heritage Trust, specifically earmarked for apprenticeship programmes that train the next generation of rail engineers.