The Tyne and Wear Metro is currently phasing out its old train fleet, which is being sent to be recycled.
Much of the 45-year-old carriages can be repurposed and shipped to support other manufacturing projects.
The aluminium, steel and copper, among other metals from the stock, are being sent to countries around the world to be utilised.
J Denham Metals Ltd is undertaking the task of taking the trains on their final journey to their work yard near Bishop Auckland.
Once arrived, a giant hydraulic grabber rips apart the carriages to allow metals to be harvested.
The process begins with the body work before the seats and windows are removed. A snipper also works its way through the carriage in just under an hour.
The work then begins on the chassis and wheels, from which the used metals can be loaded into containers for recycling.
Two of the old trains are being kept for historical purposes and are being donated to the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside and to Beamish Museum in County Durham.
“We’re bidding a fond farewell to the old Metro train fleet over the next couple of years and it’s good to see that a lot of the used parts are being sent away for recycling.
“A lot of The metals are harvested during this process and they are repurposed to support other industries, usually manufacturing and construction, quite often overseas. Overall, this reduces the energy and carbon consumed if such metals were manufactured from scratch.
“The footage we’ve gathered to document this occurrence is jaw dropping, and quite emotive, but it’s all part of a process of decommissioning the fleet and making room for the new trains and a brighter future for Metro.
“These trains have been real workhorses over the last four decades. They helped to transform public transport in our region. They have given us outstanding service, running twenty hours a day, seven days a week.
“Customer can be assured that two of the old trains are being retained for heritage purposes and will be sent to two local museums – the Stephenson Museum, and Beamish, so that we can celebrate and remember their contribution to our region for many years to come.”
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus