New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
The railway station for Europe's biggest shopping centre, it sits on the Newcastle - Hexham - Carlisle line.
The line is also authorised as a diversion route, if the ECML is closed between Newcastle and Berwick.
The line is also authorised as a diversion route, if the ECML is closed between Newcastle and Berwick.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger traffic is worked by Northern rail, usually using class 142 Pacers or 156 sprinters. The odd working is provided by First Scotrail, and these are normally 156 worked.
Freight is worked mainly by DB Schenker, though the odd DRS loco also appears at times on the line.
Freight is worked mainly by DB Schenker, though the odd DRS loco also appears at times on the line.
Environment
Although next to the Metrocentre, the station is exposed on the northern side (Newcastle bound). The station is covered by CCTV, and is fairly safe. Best avoid wearing Sunderland FC colours, even though this is Gateshead.
Road directions
The Metrocentre is well signposted off the A1, and also surrounding local roads as well.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Metrocenter map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Metrocenter map co-ordinates
Parking
The Metrocentre has 4 coloured quadrants (Green, red, Blue, and Yellow). These are all fully covered multi storeys, and are covered by CCTV. The nearest one to the rail station is the Blue car park. However, if this is full, the other car parks can be used. From the other three car parks, proceed into the centre, and follow the signs for the railway station. Give yourself 15 minutes from the Yellow and Red car parks, 10 minutes from the Green car park, and 5-7 from the Blue car park.
Incidentally, if you can't be bothered walking, a shuttle bus service runs around the Metrocentre site, with a flat 30p fare. Details are available on the Metrocentre website.
Incidentally, if you can't be bothered walking, a shuttle bus service runs around the Metrocentre site, with a flat 30p fare. Details are available on the Metrocentre website.
Public transport
Train services run every 15 minutes from Newcastle Central, with some workings extending to Hexham, Carlisle, and South West Scotland (Operated by First Scotrail).
Stagecoach Newcastle service 100 operates from Blackett Street, and Central Station, to the Metrocentre, every 6 minutes. Go North East service X66 operates from Gateshead Interchange, every 6-8 minutes as well. Go North east also operates other services to the Metrocentre. See the official Metrocentre website for details.
For other timetable info, visit the websites for:
Stagecoach in Newcastle,
Go North east,
Northern Rail,
First Scotrail.
IMPORTANT: Tyne and wear travel tickets, such as the day rover, and Network travel tickets, providing the latter covers the Metrocentre zone, ARE valid on First Scotrail trains between the Metrocentre and Newcastle Central.
To reach the rail station from the bus station, proceed up the escalators, and turn right, and then head along until you reach the station. Stairs and ramps connect with the platforms.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Stagecoach Newcastle service 100 operates from Blackett Street, and Central Station, to the Metrocentre, every 6 minutes. Go North East service X66 operates from Gateshead Interchange, every 6-8 minutes as well. Go North east also operates other services to the Metrocentre. See the official Metrocentre website for details.
For other timetable info, visit the websites for:
Stagecoach in Newcastle,
Go North east,
Northern Rail,
First Scotrail.
IMPORTANT: Tyne and wear travel tickets, such as the day rover, and Network travel tickets, providing the latter covers the Metrocentre zone, ARE valid on First Scotrail trains between the Metrocentre and Newcastle Central.
To reach the rail station from the bus station, proceed up the escalators, and turn right, and then head along until you reach the station. Stairs and ramps connect with the platforms.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The Metrocentre is a shopping centre, and thus has all the amenities required.
Accommodation
A Holiday Inn sits on Riverside, next to the railway line, whilst there is also a Marriot hotel near the complex. Tyne and Wear has plenty of other accommodation available.
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.
Metrocenter
Streetmap links
Metrocenter general view map
Metrocenter close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Metrocenter
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Metrocenter
Googly map
Metrocenter general view map
Metrocenter close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Metrocenter
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The view of the track looking eastbound is longer than that westbound. All services will be slow heading through this point, even non stoppers, so there should be no problem in being ready for a shot. One good shot to get is of a train heading westbound, and capturing the \"Metrocentre\" logo on the overbridge next to the station.
Shooting in the east in the morning, and the west in the evening, can be difficult, due to the rising and setting sun.
One other thing, the platforms are a little narrow at points, and so other waiting passengers could obstruct a shot.
Shooting in the east in the morning, and the west in the evening, can be difficult, due to the rising and setting sun.
One other thing, the platforms are a little narrow at points, and so other waiting passengers could obstruct a shot.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking 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.
Blaydon
