Tyne & Wear Metro - South Shields station

[Haywain]

Is the current South Shields station the second or third station since the Metro came into existence? I recall that it used to be rather closer to the river than it is now, with just an overrun beyond the station (probably where the depot is now). But I have recently read comments about a 'new' station which, with a look at Google Maps, suggests that it has moved again more recently.

 

[SeanG]

It's the second Metro station. Although the BR station was further up the line again. The old station building is now a taxi office and can be seen.

 

[swt_passenger]

Heres an old map from the National Library of Scotland, showing the old BR station position, side by side with a current satellite view, the first metro platform (pink surfacing) being more visible than the currently in use platform further south:

Side by side georeferenced maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland

 

[Haywain]

Heres an old map from the National Library of Scotland, showing the old BR station position, side by side with a current satellite view, the first metro platform (pink surfacing) being more visible than the currently in use platform further south:

Side by side georeferenced maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland

That's very helpful, thanks.

As a follow up question, when was the depot built?

 

[swt_passenger]

That's very helpful, thanks.

As a follow up question, when was the depot built?

Not that long ago, it was only started building about 5 years ago, competed in 2020 some time?

It’s more of a training centre than a depot though. I hope someone local knows exactly what the operational facilities are.

 

[Volvictof]

Not that long ago, it was only started building about 5 years ago, competed in 2020 some time?

It’s more of a training centre than a depot though. I hope someone local knows exactly what the operational facilities are.

The nexus learning centre. It’s a training facility. There are classrooms and conference rooms. There is a siding and then two reception roads that lead to stabling roads inside the building, one with an inspection pit and overhead gantry if I recall correctly. There is also a platform for training drivers and ticket machines and barriers for training customer service staff as well as an isolated section of track to the rear for training track maintenance staff. There is Usually one or two trains in there for training use one of which is a withdrawn unit that can’t run in service any longer.

 

[swt_passenger]

I was wondering if the northern entrance to the first Metro station is still available? It’s still obvious on Google streetview, but that isn’t necessarily up to date...

 

[DanNCL]

There is Usually one or two trains in there for training use one of which is a withdrawn unit that can’t run in service any longer.

Those two (4055 and 4062) have recently been moved to Howdon for final component recovery before removal for scrap. The two currently at Howdon (4041 and 4047) are operational.

I was wondering if the northern entrance to the first Metro station is still available? It’s still obvious on Google streetview, but that isn’t necessarily up to date...

It isn't connected to the new station so isn't available to the public but it survives, now behind locked gates, and continues to provide emergency access to the old platform. It was used recently for a medical emergency, the train in question detrained at the new platform, then shunted forward to the old platform to wait for the ambulance without disrupting following services. The Ambulance attended via the old northern entrance.