Wetheral railway station

Wetheral
General information
Location	Wetheral, City of Carlisle England
Coordinates	54°53′01″N 2°49′55″W
Grid reference	NY467546
Owned by	Network Rail
Managed by	Northern Trains
Platforms	2
Tracks	2
Other information
Station code	WRL
Classification	DfT category F2
History
Original company	Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
Pre-grouping	North Eastern Railway
Post-grouping	London and North Eastern Railway British Rail (North Eastern Region)
Key dates
19 July 1836	Opened
2 January 1967	Closed
5 October 1981	Reopened
Passengers
2019/20	39,014
2020/21	8,878
2021/22	31,348
2022/23	30,666
2023/24	44,644
Location Wetheral Location in City of Carlisle, Cumbria Show map of the former City of Carlisle district Wetheral Location in Cumbria, England Show map of Cumbria
Notes Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Wetheral is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. The station, situated 4 miles 7 chains (4.09 mi; 6.58 km) east of Carlisle, serves the villages of Great Corby and Wetheral, City of Carlisle in Cumbria, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

History

The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was formed in 1829, and was opened in stages.[1] The station was opened in July 1836, following the opening of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway between Greenhead and Carlisle London Road.[2]

Corby Bridge (also known as Wetheral Viaduct) is situated to the east of the station, over which trains pass when travelling towards Newcastle. Construction of the 660-foot (200 m)-long bridge began in 1830, and was completed in 1834. It also carries a cast iron footbridge that links the station with the nearby village of Great Corby, which was added in 1851.[3]

The station was originally staffed, and the old stationmaster's house still stands as a private residence. Following the Beeching Axe, the station was closed in January 1967, along with the neighbouring station at Heads Nook.

Wetheral was formally re-opened by British Rail on 5 October 1981.[4] The reopening followed the construction of new housing estate and lobbying by the local parish council.[4] Although the original platforms were still in situ, the station building had to be made safe and refurbished for passengers.[4] The works were funded by Cumbria County Council which also sponsored a scheme by Manpower Services Commission to complete the work in time for reopening.[4]

Facilities

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, with both platforms also being linked by a pre-grouping metal footbridge, similar to those at Brampton (Cumbria) and Haltwhistle. There is a small car park at the station.[5]

Wetheral 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.[6]

Services

Northern Trains Tyne Valley Line
v t e
Newcastle – Carlisle via Hexham
Newcastle Dunston MetroCentre Blaydon Wylam Prudhoe Stocksfield Riding Mill Corbridge Hexham Haydon Bridge Bardon Mill Haltwhistle Brampton Wetheral Carlisle
Most services extend to/from Morpeth or Nunthorpe.

As of the December 2023 timetable change, there is an hourly service between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham, with additional trains at peak times. On Sunday, there are nine trains heading towards Carlisle, and eight trains heading towards Newcastle via Hexham. Certain trains extend to Morpeth or Nunthorpe via Hartlepool. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[7]

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

References

1. 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.
2. Joy, David (1983). The Lake Counties - (A Regional history of the railways of Great Britain). Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 270. ISBN 0-946537-02-X.
3. "Corby Bridge, Wetheral – 1087690". Historic England. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
4. Long, Charles, ed. (December 1981). "Wetheral station reopened". Modern Railways. 38 (399): 532.
5. "Wetheral Station Train Tickets, Departures and Timetables". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
6. "Penalty Fares Map". Northern Trains. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
7. Table 42 National Rail timetable, December 2023

External links

• Media related to Wetheral railway station at Wikimedia Commons
• Train times and station information for Wetheral railway station from National Rail

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Brampton towards Newcastle		Northern Trains Tyne Valley Line		Carlisle towards Carlisle
	Historical railways
Heads Nook		North Eastern Railway Newcastle and Carlisle Railway		Scotby