Blaydon railway station

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

Blaydon
LocationBlaydon, Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead
England
Coordinates54°57′57″N 1°42′47″W
Grid referenceNZ184635
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityTyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
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
2015/16 13,466
2016/17 15,128
2017/18 14,116
2018/19 21,428
2019/20 32,842
Location
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

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Services over Scotswood Bridge were withdrawn on 4 October 1982, with the line re-routed through Dunston and across the King Edward VII Bridge, using part of the original 1837 route, which had since only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

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

Following the December 2020 timetable change, the station is served by an hourly service to Newcastle and Hexham. An hourly service operates between Newcastle and Carlisle during the evening and on Sunday. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[9]

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

See also

References
  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. 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. "Train times: Sunderland and Newcastle to Hexham and Carlisle" (PDF). Northern Trains. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
Preceding station National Rail Following station
MetroCentre   Northern Trains
Tyne Valley Line		   Wylam
  Historical railways  
Scotswood   North Eastern Railway
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway		   Ryton
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