MetroCentre railway station

MetroCentre is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle, Hexham and Carlisle. The station serves the Metrocentre in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

MetroCentre
LocationDunston, Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead
England
Coordinates54°57′32″N 1°39′54″W
Grid referenceNZ215627
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityTyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Platforms2
Tracks2
Other information
Station codeMCE
History
Original companyBritish Rail (Eastern Region)
Key dates
3 August 1987 (1987-08-03)Opened as Gateshead MetroCentre
17 May 1993Renamed MetroCentre
Passengers
2015/16 0.354 million
2016/17 0.350 million
2017/18 0.335 million
2018/19 0.302 million
2019/20 0.299 million
Location
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

The station was opened in August 1987 by British Rail, and was initially named Gateshead MetroCentre.[1] The station's name was later shortened to MetroCentre in May 1993.[2]

The station is situated on a section of line built by the North Eastern Railway, which was constructed in sections between 1893 and 1909.[3] It linked the lines over the newly-commissioned King Edward VII Bridge with the original Newcastle and Carlisle Railway freight route to Redheugh and Dunston Coal Staiths, dating back to 1837.[4]

Between January and February 2020, the platforms at the station were extended ahead of the introduction of upgraded rolling stock, as part of the Great North Rail project.[5][6]

Facilities

The station has two platforms, both of which have seating, a waiting shelter, next train audio and visual displays and an emergency help point. There is a footbridge linking the station with the Metrocentre, which provides step-free access to both platforms.[7]

MetroCentre is not part of the Northern Trains penalty fare network, as ticket machines have not yet (as of December 2020) been installed at the station.[8]

Services

Following the December 2020 timetable change, there are three trains per hour between Newcastle and Hexham, of which two are extended to Carlisle. On Sunday, there are three trains per hour between Newcastle and MetroCentre, with an hourly service extending to Carlisle. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[9]

Rolling stock used: Class 156 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter

See also

References
  1. Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 102. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  2. GB National Rail Timetable, 1993-94 Edition, Table 48
  3. Body, G Railways of the Eastern Region Volume 2, 1988, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Wellingborough, ISBN 1-85260-072-1, p.133
  4. Marsden, Richard. "The North Eastern Railway: Bridges around Newcastle". LNER Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  5. "Upgrade at MetroCentre station will mean more seats for passengers". Network Rail Media Centre. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. Collings, Katie (14 January 2020). "Metrocentre station platform extended to make way for trains with more seats". ChronicleLive. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. "MetroCentre Station Train Tickets, Departures and Timetables". Northern Trains. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. "Penalty Fares Map". Northern Trains. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. "Train times: Sunderland and Newcastle to Hexham and Carlisle" (PDF). Northern Trains. 13 December 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
Preceding station National Rail Following station
Dunston   Northern Trains
Tyne Valley Line		   Blaydon
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