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Location notes
Located south of South Shields town centre, this bridge was built new in 1984, for the introduction of Tyne and Wear Metro services to South Shields, and provided a link to the new Chichester Metro station. The bridge replaced the old BR route to South Shields, via High Shields. Just along from this location, it is possible to see some of that old alignment, as the embankment still remains!
Railway type and traffic
Tyne and Wear Metro trains, working South Shields - Airport workings, though some other, short workings, do also take place. The bridge, incidentally, is built to the same specification as that of the Ouseburn Metro Viaduct, Byker.
Environment
The street is a semi developed street. At the eastern end, it is built up, but at the western end, it is exposed. Best to avoid the area after dark, and also, don't wear either a Newcastle United FC jersey, or a Sunderland FC Jersey.
Road directions
From the A19, come off at the junction for the A194, and then head eastbound on the A194. The A194 is a dual carriageway road, all the way to South Shields. At the end of the A194, you will come to a roundabout, at it will be possible to see Wickes ahead. Crossgate is the right hand exit.
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Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a couple of car parks on Crossgate, though it is unknown if these are free. However, there is ample car parking available in Wickes Building Supplies, which is only a couple of minutes walk away. Ironically, this sits on the site of the old BR route to High shields!
DO NOT park in the Morrison's regional office car park. This is a staff only car park.
DO NOT park in the Morrison's regional office car park. This is a staff only car park.
Public transport
The nearest Metro station is South Shields.
From the station, look for the exit onto Keppel Street (it may be marked bus stances), and turn to your left. Follow Keppel Street all the way round, as it goes onto Fowler street, and then up a hill. At the top of this hill, there will be a roundabout, with the council buildings on your left. Turn right at the roundabout, and your onto Crossgate. Keep walking, and you will see the bridge ahead.
For metro timetables, visit the Tyne and Wear Metro website, and click on the \"M\" logo.
The main bus operators are Stagecoach South Shields and Go North East
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
From the station, look for the exit onto Keppel Street (it may be marked bus stances), and turn to your left. Follow Keppel Street all the way round, as it goes onto Fowler street, and then up a hill. At the top of this hill, there will be a roundabout, with the council buildings on your left. Turn right at the roundabout, and your onto Crossgate. Keep walking, and you will see the bridge ahead.
For metro timetables, visit the Tyne and Wear Metro website, and click on the \"M\" logo.
The main bus operators are Stagecoach South Shields and Go North East
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are none in the immediate area. Best go to South Shields town centre.
Accommodation
Numerous establishments within the South Shields area.
Alternatively, Newcastle upon Tyne is 22 minutes away on the metro.
Alternatively, Newcastle upon Tyne is 22 minutes away on the metro.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields
Streetmap links
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields general view map
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields
Googly map
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields general view map
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South Shields
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Photographic notes
Trains will be heading along this bridge at 80kph (50mph), and because of the height of the bridge, and also some surrounding buildings, you will not get much warning of a train coming. It is possible to get a variety of shots, from both sides of the bridge, and on both sides of the road. The bridge runs in a north south axis, and so the sun should not pose too many problems.
One word of caution, Crossgate is a busy highway, with lots of traffic, and this can often mask the sound of the metro trains. In addition, Stagecoach in South Shields uses double deckers on one route which passes here, and Go North East uses Double decker buses as well. These can sometimes obstruct your view, so do be aware of them coming towards you.
One word of caution, Crossgate is a busy highway, with lots of traffic, and this can often mask the sound of the metro trains. In addition, Stagecoach in South Shields uses double deckers on one route which passes here, and Go North East uses Double decker buses as well. These can sometimes obstruct your view, so do be aware of them coming towards you.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south west
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
