Newcastle to Carlisle

[Crossover]

Having got some reasonably priced advance tickets for tomorrow, I'm going to be doing the Newcastle to Carlisle line tomorrow.

Two questions really

1. Is there anything specifically to look out for en-route?
2. I'll be in Carlisle for 90 mins (cheapest advances, plus who wants to come back on the same unit ) - aside from the station, is there anything within a short walk to pass the time? I'll probably spend some of the time in the station watching whatever is going on, but 90 mins is a bit too long :P

 

[flymo]

The Tyne Valley line is fairly scenic in parts, it depends what you want to look out for really but my interests would involve:
After the MetroCentre you should get a glimpse of Scotswood Bridge and the old railway bridge a few metres upstream from that. This was the Carlisle line until the route via MetroCentre opened.
Wylam is a nice place to travel through alongside the River Tyne.
Shortly after Wylam, on the right you should be able to see the still extant bridge that used to carry the line from Newcastle via Scotswood, Newburn along the North of the Tyne.
After Hexham, also on the right you may glimpse the remains of the supports of the bridge that carried the line up to the borders.
Just before Haltwhistle on the left you should glimpse the magnificent structure that used to carry the line up to Alston.
There should be views of the Tyne and South Tyne as far as Haltwhistle or thereabouts.
Between Haltwhistle and Brampton there should be views of Hadrian's Wall along the hills not too far away
Nice viaduct at Brampton too...

Can't vouch for Carlisle much though, my experiences were usually limited to the chippy across the road from the station when walking from the Railway Station to the Bus Station.. That was years ago though so no idea if that chippy is still there...

 

[yorksrob]

The chippy was still there last year when I used it.

 

[HST Power]

I did Carlisle the other week.

The station is very quiet. During my time there I saw about two staff maximum, so setting up to photograph is easy.

There are loads of shops and small stores. There's an M&S within walking distance. Also you've got plenty of small stores selling this and that.

 

[Bevan Price]

There are interesting signal boxes at Hexhan and Haltwhistle. The latter is out of use, but "preserved" - (the current box is like a portacabin).

Dependent on the time of day, Carlisle can be busy with freight for a while. If you are interested in buildings, there is a smallish cathedral a few minutes walk from the station. Apart from that, there are assorted shops & "refreshment" facilities. With only 90 minutes, you might have time to see the castle exterior, but not enough time for to make it worthwhile to pay the entrance fee. Turn left by the traffic lights just outside the station to reach all of those locations.

 

[Zamracene749]

The tip i'd give is to sit on the right(north side) leaving Newcastle, better views of the Tyne rather than embankment side for the first half of the journey.

If you drink there are a couple of average Wetherspoons a short walk on the right from Carlisle station, otherwise not much of note for a short stay.

You'll probably enjoy just watching the movements in the station itself more.

 

[Crossover]

Thanks for all the responses.

Another quick couple of things. What's the usual booked traction? Can it be anything pretty much? Also, whens the TPE 350 due at Carlisle today?

 

[yorksrob]

An arriva style 142 in both directions when I did it.

 

[HST Power]

Thanks for all the responses.

Another quick couple of things. What's the usual booked traction? Can it be anything pretty much? Also, whens the TPE 350 due at Carlisle today?

Do you mean from Newcastle to Carlisle? I think that will be a 142 or a 156.

In terms of what you will see on station:

Virgin
1tph between Glasgow and London, operated by a 390.
1tph between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Birmingham, operated by either a 221 or a 390.

Transpennine
1tph between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Manchester, operated by a 185.
Scotrail

An irregular service to Glasgow via Kilmarnock, operated by a 156 (although there's typically about 1tph to Dumfries).
Northern

1tph to Newcastle, often operated by a Scotrail 156, but other than that it's a bit of a mixed bag and 142s are not uncommon.
Six or seven services a day to Leeds, operated by a 158.

About 1tph to Barrow via the Cumbrian Coast (evenings and Sundays all terminate at Whitehaven), again a bit of a mixed bag although 153s are common.

Credit for this post goes to Eagle who did it for me when I was going to Carisle.

 

[ModernRailways]

The main shopping centre is a 5 minute walk from the station and has a Greggs :P When you leave the station walk a little further up and then turn left, just before you would cross the road. Head towards the bus stops on the left hand side, there is a B&M (or maybe Poundland/world). That chippy was still there when I went a few weeks ago, great chips!

Other than a bit of freight, you will mostly see TPE 185s, a Voyager (or two), a Pendolino (or two), and a handful of Northern sprinters along with one or two pacers.

You should also see the 350s on test, there is a high chance they will be cancelled though. Here's the timings.

Dep. Preston 0721
Arr. Carlisle 0846

Dep. Carlisle 0933
Arr. Preston 1124

Dep. Preston 1216
Arr. Carlisle 1355

Dep. Carlisle 1424
Arr. Preston 1633

Dep. Preston 1711
Arr. Carlisle 1852

Dep. Carlisle 1927
Arr. Preston 2120

 

[Crossover]

Thanks again. On 156443 in the end (phew!) on the 1424 from Newcastle (so would likely miss the TPE trainer)

Nice journey so far, though I must say that the station at MetroCentre looks a bit of a dump!

 

[142094]

Newcastle - Carlisle is always 156s or 142s, normally 142s are on Hexham - Middlesbrough services but it is around 50:50 for 142/156 on Newcastle - Carlisle trains. Of course 156s are guaranteed for the services that originate/end at Dumfries or GLC.

 

[PHILIPE]

Scotrail 156s. on these trains from Scotland.

 

[Crossover]

A good time was had - nice journey both ways, 156443 (interestingly we saw ScotRail 156442 on a Dumfries working!) there and 156481 back. MetroCentre REALLY needs a lick of paint though and it is a let down compared to other stations on the line. The "whites" are yellow and the "blues" are rusty!

We hung around the station for a little bit before heading out into the city. It is B&M on the left, which made a useful place to grab a drink. Wandering further on we came to, and had a wander round, the Cathedral, before heading back to the station to kill the final 20 minutes before the return service. This was rewarded with an early running postal service through Platform 4 formed of a triple Class 325

 

[flymo]

MetroCentre REALLY needs a lick of paint though and it is a let down compared to other stations on the line. The "whites" are yellow and the "blues" are rusty!

That's modern building for you.... won't last 5 minutes (in railway terms)*, certainly nothing welcoming about that station.

* My opinion.... other opinions may vary.

 

[PHILIPE]

A good time was had - nice journey both ways, 156443 (interestingly we saw ScotRail 156442 on a Dumfries working!) there and 156481 back. MetroCentre REALLY needs a lick of paint though and it is a let down compared to other stations on the line. The "whites" are yellow and the "blues" are rusty!

We hung around the station for a little bit before heading out into the city. It is B&M on the left, which made a useful place to grab a drink. Wandering further on we came to, and had a wander round, the Cathedral, before heading back to the station to kill the final 20 minutes before the return service. This was rewarded with an early running postal service through Platform 4 formed of a triple Class 325

If you'd turned right outside the station there are 2 Wetherspoons just along the street and just within a few doors next to each other. I was away on holiday so didn't see your earlier posts otherwise I could have told before you set out.