Whitley Bay Station

[142094]

Link to the Chronicle report

 

[STRhino]

Excellent video thanks!

 

[GNER 373]

We are quite lucky to have these stations so local to us, just wish Metro would clean those stations up a bit along the beautiful coastal route (North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Monkseaton) instead of rushing to build new stations (See Simonside).

Although I do love the modernisation of the Haymarket Station and platforms, we should be able to look in awe at these old stations that were once used for the NER.

 

[gordonthemoron]

my favourite station is probably South Gosforth as I used it every day when commuting to Darlo in the 1980s (only did it for a year or so as it was a right pain)

 

[sprinterguy]

Haymarket station is my favorite Metro stop. The newly done entrance is rather impressive. The Platforms themselves feel modern and clean. If it weren't for the Geordies (who stand on the left of the lifts despite the six hundred 'KEEP RIGHT' signs) and the general lack of busyness it could be London!

I'm not at all happy with the refurbishment of Haymarket at platform level. The platform chambers are now round, which doesn't look right at all to my eyes when an exceedingly boxy Metrocar comes out of the tunnel, and it means that you can't take the weight off your feet a little by resting on the wall.

As for the escalators, I nearly always take the stairs when ascending, it gets me to the top quicker Except at Haymarket, where I've really got to be feeling energetic to consider tackling that enormous staircase.
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We are quite lucky to have these stations so local to us, just wish Metro would clean those stations up a bit along the beautiful coastal route (North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Monkseaton) instead of rushing to build new stations (See Simonside).

Although I do love the modernisation of the Haymarket Station and platforms, we should be able to look in awe at these old stations that were once used for the NER.

I personally think that Metro do a good job of keeping the platform areas at the coast stations looking smart within the Metro boundaries: It's beyond the barriers along the lengths of original platform where things fall apart: The old excursion bays at Tynemouth, and the associated platform canopies, have looked very sorry for themselves for years for example, and this dilapidation is mirrored at the other stations in the areas that passengers don't have access to. In some cases the station facades could do with a tidy up as well.

It's just nice to have the old North Eastern stations still with us at all, rather than them being cleared and levelled wholesale when the Metro came to town to be replaced by one of the basic concrete Metro fabrications that are seen elsewhere on the Metro network. I'm glad the old stations survived intact

 

[142094]

When the Metro took over, the simple option would have been to knock them all down and build new identical stations such as like the ones at Shiremoor (not entirely sure which stations were listed at the time). Look at what happened at Blaydon and Stockton to see what could have happened.

 

[PinzaC55]

When the Metro took over, the simple option would have been to knock them all down and build new identical stations such as like the ones at Shiremoor (not entirely sure which stations were listed at the time). Look at what happened at Blaydon and Stockton to see what could have happened.

That's true. The Loop line stations were very neglected by the late 1970's and when you consider the cost of maintaining even the truncated roof at Whitley Bay it is a surprise it was kept at all. South Gosforth was a big loss and Jesmond only escaped by the skin of it's teeth after a period of dereliction - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/3543173612/

I took this photo at Whitley Bay in February 1980 http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/3269890847/and another showing it being hacked about inside which I'll have to find and post.

 

[142094]

Thinking about it, the Tyne and Wear Metro would actually be a very interesting topic for a detailed book. Lots of interesting facts and pictures. Probably should have a go in writing one.

 

[valenta]

Thinking about it, the Tyne and Wear Metro would actually be a very interesting topic for a detailed book. Lots of interesting facts and pictures. Probably should have a go in writing one.

Indeed it would, perhaps a good source of info is the Nexus website: http://www.nexus.org.uk/history

Very interesting info here.

 

[GNER 373]

I'm not at all happy with the refurbishment of Haymarket at platform level. The platform chambers are now round, which doesn't look right at all to my eyes when an exceedingly boxy Metrocar comes out of the tunnel, and it means that you can't take the weight off your feet a little by resting on the wall.

As for the escalators, I nearly always take the stairs when ascending, it gets me to the top quicker Except at Haymarket, where I've really got to be feeling energetic to consider tackling that enormous staircase.
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I personally think that Metro do a good job of keeping the platform areas at the coast stations looking smart within the Metro boundaries: It's beyond the barriers along the lengths of original platform where things fall apart: The old excursion bays at Tynemouth, and the associated platform canopies, have looked very sorry for themselves for years for example, and this dilapidation is mirrored at the other stations in the areas that passengers don't have access to. In some cases the station facades could do with a tidy up as well.

It's just nice to have the old North Eastern stations still with us at all, rather than them being cleared and levelled wholesale when the Metro came to town to be replaced by one of the basic concrete Metro fabrications that are seen elsewhere on the Metro network. I'm glad the old stations survived intact

Sorry, should have explained in more detail, I agree the actual platforms etc in passenger use are tidy, clean and maintained, I meant to highlight the rest of the station including the excursion bays, platform canopies as you so rightly pointed out!

P.S I haven't attempted Haymarket Staircase for many years, maybe we could arrange a charity race up them

 

[142094]

P.S I haven't attempted Haymarket Staircase for many years, maybe we could arrange a charity race up them

Thought they were all escalators now?

 

[valenta]

Thought they were all escalators now?

Yes, the staircase went in the refurbishment. Three escalators now.

 

[GNER 373]

Yes, the staircase went in the refurbishment. Three escalators now.

Oh well, I'll have to go to the Monument for a race then! TBH i never really get off at Haymarket if travelling to Newcastle on the Metro, it's always Monument or Central Station so wouldn't know and I only popped my head in to see the new station whilst passing!

Shame, they felt like it took days to get up them when we were little

 

[142094]

Oh well, I'll have to go to the Monument for a race then! TBH i never really get off at Haymarket if travelling to Newcastle on the Metro, it's always Monument or Central Station so wouldn't know and I only popped my head in to see the new station whilst passing!

Shame, they felt like it took days to get up them when we were little

You'd have to pass on Monument as well, that has always been 3 escalators. You could do the stairs between platforms 1/2 and 3/4 but not really worth it. Central would be alright, or just wait until an escalator has stopped for some reason.

 

[valenta]

You'd have to pass on Monument as well, that has always been 3 escalators. You could do the stairs between platforms 1/2 and 3/4 but not really worth it. Central would be alright, or just wait until an escalator has stopped for some reason.

Nexus are frequently switching an escalator off at Haymarket and Monument, apparantely saving energy (or money!)

 

[142094]

Nexus are frequently switching an escalator off at Haymarket and Monument, apparantely saving energy (or money!)

DB have brought this in, along with a whole host of other ideas. Whether it saves much I do not know, but might have safety implications.

 

[sprinterguy]

Yes, the staircase went in the refurbishment. Three escalators now.

They took away the stairs??? Awww! A run up those was a test of anyones' mettle I assume they were the longest set of stairs on the Metro system.
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Shame, they felt like it took days to get up them when we were little

Indeed they did
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You'd have to pass on Monument as well, that has always been 3 escalators. You could do the stairs between platforms 1/2 and 3/4 but not really worth it. Central would be alright, or just wait until an escalator has stopped for some reason.

I'm well practised on the Central stairs, so that should stand me in good stead for any charity run up them They're not a patch on the height of the old Haymarket ones though.
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Nexus are frequently switching an escalator off at Haymarket and Monument, apparantely saving energy (or money!)

Ah, I wondered why that has been the case whenever I've got off a Metro at Monument when I've been back in the north east recently.

 

[valenta]

They took away the stairs??? Awww! A run up those was a test of anyones' mettle I assume they were the longest set of stairs on the Metro system.

Would have thought so. Don't know if Gateshead would count, they have a lot of stairs, but levels inbetween.

 

[flymo]

A run up those was a test of anyones' mettle I assume they were the longest set of stairs on the Metro system.
.

There used to be 105 steps from platform level to concourse level at Haymarket, 7 flights of 15. Ran up them loads of times as a teenager...

Back to Whitley Bay, I know I have seen a few photos before of the Glasgow trains dropping off passengers there but I can't find the book I saw them in. Looked amazing too if I recall, must try to find that book again. Truly a memory of Whitley Bay in its heyday.

 

[142094]

Ah, I wondered why that has been the case whenever I've got off a Metro at Monument when I've been back in the north east recently.

The one on the far right (when looking down towards plt 1/2) was knackered for a while, but last time I was there it had been switched back on.

Annoying thing is that on the way home, they don't usually turn the up escalators on at Manors until I've gone through so have to use the stairs :-x

 

[PaulLothian]

On the escalator sub-theme...
French railways have had approach-activated escalators for some time; we used them at Versailles-Chantiers at least five years ago. Doesn't seem to cause any problems, and I gather they work in that mode all the time.

 

[142094]

Escalators probably need to be replaced soon, so could be a possibility.

 

[cdonnigan]

You'd have to pass on Monument as well, that has always been 3 escalators. You could do the stairs between platforms 1/2 and 3/4 but not really worth it. Central would be alright, or just wait until an escalator has stopped for some reason.

You could always goto gateshead and do laps using the stairs up to the concourse and then round the back of Iceland and back down again.