as well as a link between the airport and coast lines
The infrastructure for this is already in place, probably not suitable for regular long-term passenger movements though. There is a depot avoiding line around the back of the Gosforth cars sheds. Flickr user "metromadme" has some photos here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metromadme/...3319689652
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metromadme/...3319689652
Probably one of the best Metro Flickr sets I've ever seen, well worth a look through.
This was the press-release from Nexus at the time of the special Airport - St James service:
SUNDAY METRO SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR ESSENTIAL ENGINEERING WORKS (23/10/2003)
Metro services on a stretch of line between Regent Centre / Longbenton and Haymarket are to be suspended all day on the next three Sundays to allow operator Nexus to carry out essential engineering work.
Service will be suspended on Sunday October 26, Sunday November 2, and Sunday November 9, 2003.
The services affected will be those between Regent Centre / Longbenton and Haymarket.
Replacement bus services, which will all accept Metro tickets, will operate during the suspension of Metro services to ensure passengers are able to undertake their journey.
Some of the buses on the replacement service will be low-floor, easy access buses to ensure the needs of mobility impaired passengers and those with pushchairs are met.
However, passengers should note that only folding prams / pushchairs will be allowed on the buses.
The replacement bus services will operate as follows:
SERVICE 900 (All day)
This replacement bus service will run, stopping near ALL Stations en-route between Regent Centre and Haymarket.
SERVICE 901 (9.30 to 18.00 approximately)
This replacement bus service will run non stop DIRECT via North Road between Regent Centre and Haymarket.
Passengers wishing to travel to/from North Tyneside area are advised to travel via Wallsend.
However, you also have the option to use the bus replacement services from Regent Centre to travel via ALL Stations or DIRECT towards Newcastle.
Last bus from Haymarket connecting with Metro at Regent Centre to Airport departs 2302
Last bus from Haymarket connecting with Metro at Regent Centre to Benton departs 2317
Last bus from Regent Centre connecting with Metro at Haymarket to Sunderland departs 2245
Last bus from Regent Centre connecting with Metro at Haymarket to South Shields departs 2252
Last bus from Regent Centre connecting with Metro at Haymarket to Pelaw departs 2307
METRO SERVICE
Some Metro services will operate, as follows:
A Special Timetable will operate between Airport and St James via Longbenton. Normal timetables will operate between Haymarket and South Hylton/South Shields with some minor changes.
Nexus is urging passengers to allow extra time for their journey and buy their ticket for their destination from a Metro ticket machine in the normal way.
Nexus apologises to passengers for any inconvenience the suspension of some Metro services may cause but reminds passengers that the work is essential to the ongoing operation of the Metro.
Nexus is undertaking the work on Sundays in order to minimise disruption.
Passengers can get further public transport information by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.
Source - http://web.archive.org/web/2004022409135...NewsID=349