[Source: Alan Young]
In the 1950s a three-coach push-and-pull train waits at Monkseaton’s down platform. Whilst most of the passenger workings through this station were electric multiple units, Monkseaton was the terminus for steam trains on the Avenue Branch to and from Blyth or Newbiggin, until DMUs replaced them in 1958. Note the large gap between the up and down lines, with areas of lawn maintained between them
. 1919 1:2,500 OS map. Although dated 1919 this map shows the state of the railways c1914. Monkseaton (1st) station is shown as open, as on the 1897 map, although it closed in 1915. The realignment which is shown as ‘Railway in course of construction’ was associated with the abortive Collywell Bay (Seaton Sluice) branch project. Trains to Collywell Bay would have been handled at the new, spacious Monkseaton (2nd) station which is shown as partially built: the down platform building and glazed roofing are shown as constructed, whilst no progress had been made on the up platform or its buildings. This new station had, in fact, already been open for four years when the map was published.
In the 1950s a three-coach push-and-pull waits at the up face of the island platform of Monkseaton station. The large glass verandah covers platform, and passengers reach it by means of the long covered ramp from the road bridge (extreme right). One of the unusual LNER ‘diamond’ running-in nameboards (in a ‘running-out position!) is partly obscured by the engine, and small LNER nameplates are fixed to lamps, which are also of LNER vintage. The loco 67323 was built in December 1900 to Worsdell Class O design for the NER. This Auto-fitted 0-4-4t was built at the NER’s Darlington works, passed to the LNER and was reclassified G5. Having a working life of 58 years, it was withdrawn from Blyth (North) shed in December 1958 and scrapped in 1959.
Photo from John Mann collection Looking east from the down platform at Monkseaton in 1959. The up platform is an island, with few buildings but an extravagant glazed verandah (which was removed c1971). To the right can be seen one of the unusual LNER nameboards incorporating their early ‘diamond’ logo, believed to be unique to the Coast Circle line. The board is unusual too in being placed in a ‘running-out’ position. On the down platform the awning which extended from the main verandah to shelter the platform edge is visible; this was removed when the station was refurbished for Metro use. The signal controls entry to the Avenue Branch. After that ‘branch’ closed in 1964 it would be retained to control a crossover. Copyright photo from Stations UK Monkseaton station, looking west from the down face of the island platform in January 1964. No expense was spared in providing this lavish station with its ample glazed roofing in preparation for the opening of the Collywell Bay branch, whose trains would use the south face of the island platform. The station was complete in 1915, but the Collywell Bay branch never opened. Nevertheless Monkseaton was a busy station, with an intensive service of electric trains and large numbers of commuters and visitors to the coast to handle, as well as being a southern terminus for Blyth / Newbiggin trains. In 1964 the lawns in the median between the tracks were still maintained. Photo by JC Dean The eastern approaches to Monkseaton station in June 1967. This view shows an EMU at the down platform and, in the foreground, the trackwork before it was rationalised. The electric trains were withdrawn from the middle of the month. The goods warehouse and loading dock are also seen at the back of the down platform. The goods yard closed on 2 March 1959 but private sidings remained in use after that date. Looking north-west towards Monkseaton station in 1970. The island platform is closest to the camera. Only its north ‘up’ face saw regular passenger services, and by this time the south face was fenced off. Both this platform and the down platform have generous amounts of glass sheltering them.
Photo by JM Fleming A Class 101 DMU calls at the down platform of Monkseaton on 31 December 1973. At this time the glazed verandah and the awning extending to the edge of the platform are complete. The BR(NE) running-in board is still in place, and corporate identity nameplates have recently been
installed at the station. Photo by Alan Young In December 1979 a West Monkseaton to Newcastle Central class 104 DMU calls at the down platform of Monkseaton.
Photo by Alan Lewis from his Flickr photostream The down platform at Monkseaton, looking east in April 1979. The structure of the glazed roofing can be appreciated. The lengthy iron barrier divides the concourse from the platform.
Photo
by Alan Lewis from his Flickr photostream
On 15 August 1998 a Metro train arrives at the down platform of Monkseaton station. The awning in front of the glazed platform roofing has been removed. Beyond the wide gap between the tracks, where there were formerly lawns, the up platform can be seen with its modern Metro buildings, and beyond these the exceptionally long covered ramp leads up to the exit on Front Street.
Photo by Alan Young A metro train stands in the down platform at Monkseaton station March 2009; seen from the covered ramp from the Front Street entrance.
Photo by Nick Catford Monkseaton station main entrance in Norham Road in March 2009.
Photo by Nick Catford Click here for more pictures of Monkseaton station
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