It was there long before the Metro was even a pipe dream.
Now the 100-year-old railway depot in Gosforth will be demolished to make way for a new era for North East transport.
A North East firm, Thompsons of Prudhoe, has now landed the contract to demolish the depot, located between the South Gosforth and Regent Centre stations.
Once it is rubble, a new £70m depot will be erected on the same site, housing the modern £362m fleet due to be rolled out over the next few years.
Nick Shilling, managing director of Thompsons of Prudhoe, said the firm was "delighted" to be tasked with demolishing the depot.
"We look forward to providing removal and demolition services in 2021 and 2022," he added.
"The new depot and state-of-the-art trains will be a real benefit to the region, and it is pleasure to be part of it.”
Built by Swiss manufacturing giant Stadler, the new trains will feature everything from plush seats to charging points and digital screens.
The fleet of 46 trains will be delivered up to 2024, and will be more reliable than the current, ageing, vehicles.
Metro development director Neil Blagburn said: “The programme to deliver of our new train fleet and Metro depot is delivering a much-needed boost to local businesses in North East England in difficult times.
"It’s a hugely exciting moment as we see more local firms joining the supply chain on this huge programme that is going to transform the Tyne and Wear Metro.
“When Stadler won the contract to design, build and maintain our new fleet they gave a commitment to put in place new supply chains here in the region.
"We are now seeing this become a reality."
