Station Name: GATESHEAD EASTeast_old34.jpg) On 29 March 1972 a DMU is leaving the down platform of Gateshead East station for the short journey to Newcastle. The view south-eastwards from the footbridge shows the station buildings on the up platform. Since the station ceased to be staffed in 1969 the former offices, waiting rooms and toilets have been closed. The crudely designed ‘brutalist’ shelter has recently been built on the up platform. Until 1966 the station had a large overall roof (trainshed) which was removed to reduce maintenance costs. The entrance building on Hills Street, providing access to the down platform, has been demolished as has the entire screen to the rear of the platform.
Photo by Alan Young east_old35.jpg) The northern end of Gateshead East station in March 1972. The BR(NE) running-in board is the only sign on this platform to give the station’s name; it was officially Gateshead ‘East’ until May 1972. Before the station buildings were rationalised and the lighting – seen here – was installed, the station name was printed on the lampshades. Corporate Identity signage and another generation of lamps were installed c1974
Photo by Alan Young east_old4.jpg) Gateshead East station looking west in May 1974. The platforms are seen curving to the right towards the High Level Bridge. The lines leading ahead bypass the two Gateshead stations. The buildings of the former railway workshops can be seen in the distance, to the left.
Photo by Courtney Haydon east_old28.jpg) Looking south from Gateshead East station’s up platform in the mid 1970s. By this time standard BR(E) platform lighting and Corporate Identity signage has been installed.
Photo by John Mann east_old19.jpg) Gateshead East, looking west towards the down end of the two platforms in 1976. The footbridge links both platforms of this station to the up platform of the disused Gateshead West. In the extreme left is the timber building which was used as the stationmaster’s office before staff were withdrawn in 1969.
Photo by Alastair Smith east_old3.jpg) In April 1980 a Class 101 DMU in mixed livery calls at the up platform of Gateshead East station bound for Sunderland; this mismatch is typical of the period, Unfortunately, the attractive refurbished livery was found to get dirty rather quickly, so it was decided to outshop refurbished vehicles in blue and grey livery, which had previously been for Inter-City / Cross-Country vehicles only. In this view, 56089 also carries the logo of Tyne & Wear PTE within the blue band, as well as a tail lamp.
Photo by Graeme Phillips from his Flickr photostream east_old36.jpg) On 5 April 1980 Gateshead East station appears to be doing brisk business as passengers gather on the up platform for a train bound either for Sunderland or South Shields. This view is looking south-eastwards. The tall, widely spaced lamp standards and small Corporate Identity nameplates are typical of BR(E) Newcastle Division practice.
Photo by Alan Young east_old15.jpg) On 13 December 1980 No.44767 hauls the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group 'The Northumbrian' railtour through Gateshead East station. The view is looking south-east from the footbridge. The loco was originally numbered 4767 and was completed for the LMS on 31 December 1947 at Crewe works, the final day of the company’s life before Nationalisation. It was unique amongst the 842-strong class in that it featured outside Stephenson link motion in addition to other experimental features: a double chimney, Timken roller bearings throughout and electric lighting. These modifications were part of a series of experiments by George Ivatt to improve the already excellent William Stanier-designed ‘Black Five’. 4767 was renumbered 44767 by British Railways after Nationalisation in 1948. Its double chimney was removed in 1953. It was withdrawn in December 1967, after a working life of only 20 years, from Carlisle Kingmoor shed and bought for preservation by a private buyer. Following storage at Carnforth until 1974, it was restored by the North Eastern Loco Preservation Group in time for the 150th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and was named ‘George Stephenson’ on 25 August 1975 Photo by Dave Jolly from his Flickr photostream east_old4.jpg) A Class 105 DMU from South Shields leaves the down platform of Gateshead East station heading for the High Level Bridge to cross the River Tyne on 30 May 1981; the last day of British Rail services on the South Tyneside branch prior to conversion to the Tyneside Metro system. Beyond the bridge on its immediate right, are Newcastle’s Castle Keep and St Nicholas’ Cathedral. The tall brick building to its left is Turnbull’s warehouse, built 1888-97, which was converted into ‘stunning apartments’ in 2002. east2a.jpg) Seen in 2008 this blocked entrance probably gave access to the original station of 1850. The view is south-westwards at the side of the railway viaduct, between Half Moon Lane (to the right) and Hills Street (to the left), immediately behind the Central Bar. It shows the archway at the top of the stairs shown in the c1850 image, and the ‘shadow’ of the lean-to with the dark roof.
Photo by Jonathan Clark Click here for more pictures of Gateshead East Station
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