South Gosforth TMD

South Gosforth Traction Maintenance Depot is a vehicle cleaning, maintenance and stabling facility, used by the Tyne and Wear Metro. It was originally constructed for the London and North Eastern Railway, opening in October 1923.[1]

South Gosforth Traction Maintenance Depot
Location
LocationCheswick Drive
Gosforth
Coordinates55.006°N 1.6084°W / 55.006; -1.6084
OS gridNZ 251 680
Characteristics
Owner(s)Nexus
Depot code(s)
  • 52J (1964–1973)
  • GF (1973–present)
TypeLight rail
Rolling stockClass 994 Metrocar
History
OpenedOctober 1923
(96 years ago)
Post-grouping

History

The rail line passing through the depot was opened to goods and passengers in 1905, as part of the Ponteland branch of the Blyth and Tyne Railway.[2] The branch consisted of a single-track, running from South Gosforth to Ponteland and Darras Hall. The line closed to passengers in June 1929, but was re-opened as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro, as far as Bank Foot in May 1981, with a further extension to Newcastle Airport in November 1991.

In 1918, a fire at Heaton car sheds, which destroyed the building, as well as 34 cars, led to a replacement depot being required.[3][4] The site of the depot was acquired by the North Eastern Railway in 1921, with the replacement depot at Gosforth opening in October 1923.[1] At the time, there was 10 lines in the depot building, with a further two serving the repair shop.

Originally, the depot was used to house the former Tyneside Electrics rolling stock. Prior to the opening of the Tyne and Wear Metro in the early 1980s, Class 101, 104 and 105 DMUs were a common sight at the depot. These vehicles were used on the North Tyneside Loop, as well as services running to and from Newcastle and South Shields.[5]

Tyne and Wear Metro

Since 1980, the depot has been operated by the Tyne and Wear Metro, and now houses a fleet of 89 Metrocars. It is used for stabling, cleaning, maintenance and repair of the fleet.

It is located between stations at Longbenton, South Gosforth and Regent Centre, and can be accessed by trains from either east or west. There is also a depot-avoiding line running from east to west, which is not used in public service.

Prior to the arrival of new rolling stock towards the end of 2021, a new depot is currently being constructed near Howdon, in North Tyneside. The site will be used as a temporary stabling and maintenance facility for up to 10 Metrocars, whilst the current depot at South Gosforth is re-built. The temporary depot at Howdon is expected to open during summer 2020.[6][7]

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References
  1. Wells, J. A. (1990). The Blyth & Tyne Branch, 1874–1989 (Blyth & Tyne): Part 2. Northumberland County Council. ISBN 9780951302750.
  2. Abbott, Vernon; Chapman, Roy (1990). The Great Metro Guide to Tyne and Wear. Leading Edge Press & Publishing Ltd. p. 13. ISBN 9780948135156.
  3. Abbott, Vernon; Chapman, Roy (1990). The Great Metro Guide to Tyne and Wear. Leading Edge Press & Publishing Ltd. p. 17. ISBN 9780948135156.
  4. "The NER Tyneside Electric Multiple Units". The London & North Eastern Railway Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  5. "Tyneside Loop Units". Rail UK Forums. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  6. "Work starts on a temporary Metro depot in North Tyneside". Nexus. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  7. "Temporary Metro depot takes shape in North Tyneside". Nexus. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
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