I think the title is pretty self-explanatory. See how it compares to now. In Gateshead, there’s no Interchange yet and West Street is a bi-directional as is The High Level Bridge. Sunderland has changed somewhat in recent years but other than that, things are more or less the same as they are now.
Once upon a time, there were various ferry crossings on the River Tyne that allowed people to cross from one side to the other. Today all that remains is the Shields Ferry but in 1979 there were still two crossings in operation. The Mid-Tyne Ferry ran between Hebburn and Walker/Wallsend. The ferry is also a setting in the 1971 film ‘Get Carter’, in a scene where Jack Carter (Michael Caine) disposes of several adversaries by a way of a loaded shotgun. More information about the various river crossings (including the Mid-Tyne& Shields Ferries)can be found at this excellent resource Bridges on the Tyne, I suggest that you all check it out.
The ‘585’ was a bus that ran ‘in the dark’ so to speak replacing the Shields Ferry on early morning/late night journeys. It was also used as a ‘Ferry Replacement’ bus service although I don’t know if that ever happened. The ‘585’ is still operational today with Kingsley Coaches, who have just recently won the contract to run it.
As a special bonus. Here’s footage from the film ‘Get Carter’ featuring the Mid-Tyne Ferry and the Wallsend Landing. It also contains in-depth analysis of the the scenes used. Some might like it, some might not. Comment on it if you wish!!
Two routes that complement the more recognized services of the 310/319. The 311 was a works service that ran one journey in each direction ferrying workers across the Tyne from Jarrow to Hadrian Road in the morning with a return journey operated in the evening. The 318 is a bit more interesting as it operates from Jarrow to Cullercoats, Monday to Saturday, maintaining an a all-day service.
A classic ‘cross-tyne’ service here and one that is sorely missed by certain bus enthusiasts. This 309/310 is vastly different to the one that is operational now. The fact that the ‘310’ runs into Newcastle instead of Sunderland now still seems strange to me. The ‘309’, to me, has always been a New
castle – Blyth (or Whitley Bay) service even before its current incarnation.
I was going to post these old inter conurbation routes between Newcastle and Gateshead in some sort of order. But it dawned on me after posting the 24/25 timetable that the ’10’ was indeed operational in 1979. All services are operated jointly by PTE and Northern.
The ‘8’ more or less operates the same route as either the 15 or 15A (I can’t remember) does now between Newcastle and Kenton Bar Estate. It then operates via the current ‘Fab 57’ route to Fewster Square where it terminates.
The ‘9’ operates via the current 31 route between Montagu Estate and Newcastle then the ‘Fab 56’ route to Springwell Estate.
The ’10’ operates similar to its current route between North Kenton and Town (except it goes via Great North Road instead of Claremont Road) then, like the ‘9’ operates along the current ‘Fab 56’ route to Springwell Estate.
One more express service before moving on to some of the regular services in this 1979 edition of the Tyne & Wear PTE bus timetable. This is an example of how buses used to compete with British Rail to destinations within Tyne & Wear. The ‘X2’ ran between Newcastle and South Shields direct along the Felling-by-pass to White Mare Pool then up the A194 to Tyne Dock, through Chichester and into South Shields. The journey took just 30 MINS!. 2 minutes less than the train (or Metro as it is now). I wonder if it ever kept to that timetable – a feat which would almost seem impossible now.
Another little observation about this services was that it was jointly operated by United (Now Arriva North East) and Northern. This must have been one the last United services ever to grace South Shields with its presence.
To kick things of here, I have uploaded an old Nexus Public Transport Map covering Sunderland, Washington & Houghton-le-Spring circa 1999. The map is divided into eight separate images for your viewing pleasure. I did try to combine the image to create one big map but my photo-shop skills are not up to much and I failed immensely. It is my intention to complete this task (unless anyone wants to combine these images for me) and to create a two page PDF file available to download. When I have this sussed, I will update here and let you all know . In the meantime, just click on the image to view.
Some interesting bus routes appear on this route map. Perhaps the most interesting (and unknown) route was the ’33’ operated by Sunderland Busways/Favourite which ran from Low Pittington to Metrocentre through Houghton-le-Spring.
Also, George Bell Travel (GBT) seem to be giving Wear Buses and Sunderland Busways a run for their money in South Sunderland.
Did anyone ever travel on these services? Please feel free to comment!
Old Tyne & Wear Bus Timetables 