Howdon is a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, serving Howdon in North Tyneside. The station joined the network in November 1982, following the opening of the line between Tynemouth and St. James. The original station at Howdon opened in 1839, under the Newcastle and North Shields Railway. This later became part of the North Tyneside Loop, served by the North Eastern Railway. In December 1875, the station was renamed Howdon-on-Tyne, to prevent it being confused with Howden station in East Yorkshire. Following closure for conversion in the early 1980s, the station was demolished and almost entirely re-built. Only the eastbound platform, clearly identifiable by its stone construction, remained from the original station. The westbound platform was re-built and sited on the opposite side of the level crossing on Howdon Lane, creating a staggered platform arrangement. A pedestrian subway was built to allow passengers to cross the line, however, it does not have ramps for improved wheelchair or pushchair access. The North Eastern Railway footbridge was removed, and is now located at Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The station was refurbished in 2011, along with nearby Meadow Well. The refurbishment project involved the installation of white vitreous enamel panels, new seating and lighting, and improved security and accessibility, as well as resurfaced platforms. The station was also pained in to the new black and white corporate colour scheme. The station was used by 376,215 passengers in 2017–18.
Facilities
Step-free access is available at all stations across the Tyne and WearMetro network, with ramps providing step-free access to both platforms at Howdon. The station is equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point on both platforms. Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card, notes and coins. The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network. There is no dedicated car parking available at the station. There is the provision for cycle parking, with 5 cycle pods available for use.
Service and frequency
Howdon is served by the, which operates between South Shields and St. James with an end-to-end journey time of 83 minutes. Services from platform 1 operate towards South Shields via Whitley Bay, with the first train departing at 06:04. Services from platform 2 operate towards St. James, with the first train departing at 05:36. Trains run frequently across the network, at intervals of up to every 12 minutes, and every 15 minutes, with the last trains departing at around midnight. Journey times from Howdon are:
