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MetroCentre railway station

Coordinates: 54°57′32″N 1°39′54″W / 54.9588888°N 1.6649320°W / 54.9588888; -1.6649320
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MetroCentre
National Rail
General information
LocationMetrocentre, Gateshead
England
Coordinates54°57′32″N 1°39′54″W / 54.9588888°N 1.6649320°W / 54.9588888; -1.6649320
Grid referenceNZ215627
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityTyne and Wear PTE
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
2018/19Decrease 0.302 million
2019/20Decrease 0.299 million
2020/21Decrease 61,036
2021/22Increase 0.287 million
2022/23Increase 0.321 million
Location
MetroCentre is located in Tyne and Wear
MetroCentre
MetroCentre
Location in Tyne and Wear, England
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

MetroCentre is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. The station, situated 3 miles 39 chains (3.49 mi; 5.61 km) west of Newcastle, serves Metrocentre, Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

History

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The station was opened on 3 August 1987 by British Rail, and was initially named Gateshead MetroCentre.[1] The station's name was later shortened to MetroCentre on 17 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]

Refurbishment

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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

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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 has recently joined the Northern Trains penalty fare network, as new ticket machines were installed at the station in December 2020.[8]

Services

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As of the December 2023 timetable change, there are three trains per hour between Newcastle and Hexham, two of which continue to Carlisle. On Sundays, there are three trains per hour between Newcastle and MetroCentre, one of which continues to Carlisle. Many trains extend to Morpeth or Nunthorpe via Hartlepool. 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. ^ 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. ^ Table 42 National Rail timetable, December 2023
[edit]
Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Dunston
towards Newcastle
  Northern Trains
Tyne Valley Line
  Blaydon
towards Carlisle