Northern Rail's Heaton Depot opened it doors to the public on Sunday 14th September 2008. Northern Rail ran a free shuttle service from Newcastle Central into the depot.

Network Rail's New Measurement Train (NMT) was one of the exhibits on show.
With the cab of one of the power cars open to show the public a driver's eye view. Also open was a couple of carriages of the NMT, this was to show and explain to members of the public about what the train does and how its role it undertakes when running.