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Blaydon railway station

Coordinates: 54°57′57″N 1°42′46″W / 54.9659633°N 1.7128813°W / 54.9659633; -1.7128813
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Blaydon
National Rail
General information
LocationBlaydon, Gateshead
England
Coordinates54°57′57″N 1°42′46″W / 54.9659633°N 1.7128813°W / 54.9659633; -1.7128813
Grid referenceNZ184635
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityTyne and Wear PTE
Platforms2
Tracks2
Other information
Station codeBLO
ClassificationDfT category F2
History
Original companyNewcastle and Carlisle Railway
Pre-groupingNorth Eastern Railway
Post-grouping
Key dates
9 March 1835 (1835-03-09)Opened
3 September 1966Closed
1 May 1967Reopened
Passengers
2019/20Increase 32,842
2020/21Decrease 9,392
2021/22Increase 28,824
2022/23Increase 44,158
2023/24Increase 75,080
Location
Blaydon is located in Tyne and Wear
Blaydon
Blaydon
Location in Tyne and Wear, England
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Blaydon is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. The station, situated 5 miles 39 chains (5.49 mi; 8.83 km) west of Newcastle, serves the town of Blaydon, Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

History

[edit]

The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was formed in 1829, and was opened in stages.[1] The station opened in March 1835, following the commencement of passenger trains between Blaydon and Hexham.[2][3] Initially serving as the line's eastern terminus,[4] through services to Redheugh began in March 1837.[5]

A second cross-river line, operating over the Scotswood Bridge to a temporary terminus near the site of Newcastle Central was opened in 1839, diverging immediately east of the station. It was not until January 1851 that Newcastle Central would be accessible using this route.[6]

The station was enlarged on the opening of the Derwent Valley Railway in 1867, with Blaydon Junction opening to its east; this enabled trains to run to Blackhill, Consett and Durham. This line closed to passengers in the 1950s, before fully closing in November 1963.

Blaydon was substantially rebuilt in 1912, with new red brick station buildings and glass canopies. In 1969, the station became an unstaffed halt, and the canopies were removed. The station buildings were demolished in 1977, due to neglect and persistent vandalism. Service levels were also infrequent for many years, with only a small number of services calling at peak times. Since 2013 however, the timetable has been upgraded and more trains now call (with a consequent improvement in usage, as can be seen in the statistics)

Services over Scotswood Bridge were withdrawn on 4 October 1982, with the line re-routed through Dunston and across the King Edward VII Bridge, using part of the original 1837 route, which had since only been used by freight.[4] Few traces of the former line now remain, though the position of the station signal box gives a clue as to the old alignment.

Facilities

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The station has two platforms, both of which have a ticket machine (which accepts card or contactless payment only), seating, waiting shelter, next train audio and visual displays and an emergency help point. There is step-free access to both platforms, with platforms also linked by a footbridge. There is a small car park and cycle storage at the station.[7]

Blaydon is part of the Northern Trains penalty fare network, meaning that a valid ticket or promise to pay notice is required prior to boarding the train.[8]

Services

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As of the December 2023 timetable change, there is an hourly service between Newcastle and Hexham, with additional trains at peak times. A small number of westbound trains terminate at Prudhoe at peak times, whilst many eastbound trains extend to Nunthorpe via Hartlepool or to Morpeth (peak only). On Sundays, services extend through to/from Carlisle but call only every two hours. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[9]

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

References

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  1. ^ James, Leslie (November 1983). A Chronology of the Construction of Britain's Railways 1778-1855. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 22. ISBN 0-7110-1277-6. BE/1183.
  2. ^ Allen, Cecil J. (1974) [1964]. The North Eastern Railway. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 35. ISBN 0-7110-0495-1.
  3. ^ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 68. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  4. ^ a b Body, Geoffrey (1988). Railways of the Eastern Region Volume 2: Northern operating area. Wellingborough: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 133. ISBN 1-85260-072-1.
  5. ^ "Early Steam". South Tynedale Railway. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ Young, Alan (4 June 2017). "Disused Stations: Blaydon". Disused Stations. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Blaydon Station Train Tickets, Departures and Timetables". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Penalty Fares Map". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. ^ Table 42 National Rail timetable, December 2023
[edit]
Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
MetroCentre
towards Newcastle 		  Northern Trains
Tyne Valley Line 		  Wylam
towards Carlisle
  Historical railways  
Scotswood   North Eastern Railway
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway 		  Ryton
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