Wylam is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. The station, situated 9 miles 71 chains (9.89 mi; 15.9 km) west of Newcastle, serves the village of Wylam in Northumberland, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

Wylam
National Rail
General information
LocationWylam, Northumberland
England
Coordinates54°58′29″N 1°48′53″W / 54.9747906°N 1.8146904°W / 54.9747906; -1.8146904
Grid referenceNZ120644
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byNorthern Trains
Platforms2
Tracks2
Other information
Station codeWYM
ClassificationDfT category F1
History
Original companyNewcastle and Carlisle Railway
Pre-groupingNorth Eastern Railway
Post-grouping
Key dates
9 March 1835 (1835-03-09)Opened
3 September 1966Closed
1 May 1967Reopened
Passengers
2018/19Decrease 97,642
2019/20Increase 0.108 million
2020/21Decrease 22,616
2021/22Increase 75,666
2022/23Increase 84,864
Listed Building – Grade II*
FeatureStation buildings and Stationmaster's House
Designated17 February 1972
Reference no.1370462[1]
Location
Wylam is located in Northumberland
Wylam
Wylam
Location in Northumberland, England
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History edit

The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was formed in 1829, and was opened in stages.[2] The station opened in March 1835, following the commencement of passenger trains between Blaydon and Hexham.[3][4]

The station was formerly one of two serving the village, the other being North Wylam on the Scotswood, Newburn and Wylam Railway, which operated between 1876 and 1968.[5] It was situated a short distance from the station at Wylam, at the opposite end of Wylam Bridge.

The station layout is unusual, in that the platforms are not opposite each other. The westbound platform is to the east of the level crossing, alongside the stationmaster's house, whilst the eastbound platform is to the west of the level crossing.

The over-line, elevated signal box, once a popular design for the line is now almost unique, with the only other surviving signal box of this design located at Hexham.[6] Constructed in 1835, the stationmaster's house is a Grade II* listed building,[7] whilst the footbridge and signal box are both Grade II listed.[8][9]

Facilities edit

The station has two platforms, both of which have a ticket machine (which accepts card or contactless payment only), seating, waiting shelter, next train audio and visual displays and an emergency help point. There is step-free access to both platforms, which are linked by level crossing and footbridge. There is a small pay and display car park and cycle storage at the station.[10]

Wylam is part of the Northern Trains penalty fare network, meaning that a valid ticket or promise to pay notice is required prior to boarding the train.[11]

Services edit

As of the December 2023 timetable change, there is an hourly service between Newcastle and Hexham (or Carlisle on Sunday), with additional calls at peak times. Most trains extend to Morpeth or Nunthorpe via Hartlepool. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[12]

Rolling stock used: Class 156 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter

References edit

  1. ^ Historic England. "Wylam Station and Stationmaster's House (Grade II*) (1370462)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  2. ^ James, Leslie (November 1983). A Chronology of the Construction of Britain's Railways 1778-1855. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 22. ISBN 0-7110-1277-6. BE/1183.
  3. ^ Allen, Cecil J. (1974) [1964]. The North Eastern Railway. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 35. ISBN 0-7110-0495-1.
  4. ^ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 68. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  5. ^ Young, Alan (21 May 2017). "Disused Stations: North Wylam Station". Disused Stations. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ Minnis, John. "Railway signal boxes: A review" (PDF). English Heritage. p. 36. ISSN 2046-9802. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Station and Stationmaster's House (Grade II*) (1370462)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  8. ^ Historic England. "Wylam Station Footbridge (Grade II) (1044926)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  9. ^ Historic England. "Wylam Signal Box (Grade II) (1155046)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  10. ^ "Wylam Station Train Tickets, Departures and Timetables". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Penalty Fares Map". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  12. ^ Table 42 National Rail timetable, December 2023

External links edit

Preceding station   National Rail Following station
Blaydon
towards Newcastle
  Northern Trains
Tyne Valley Line
  Prudhoe
towards Carlisle
  Historical railways  
Ryton   North Eastern Railway
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
  Prudhoe