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Memories of Washington ...
On The Buses
- On The Buses
- Old Buses / Routes 1/3
- 2/3
- 3/3
- No.39 / Bus Station
- Worswick Street 1/2
- 2/2
- Park Lane
- Destination Blinds
On The Buses!
No. 25 Double Decker about to pass Susan Peareth's School on Well Bank, en route from Brady Square to Newcastle, Worswick Street.
Note Washington 'F' Colliery Pit Heap, above the side road leading to The Blue Bell, and Place Farm on the right.
[ I travelled up Well Bank on the No. 25 Bus scores of times. Great views from Top Deck, all the way to Worswick St. ]
• • ◊ • •
An Early NORTHERN Omnibus used in the Washington area.
[ A bit before our time! ]
A similar NORTHERN Omnibus in use a few miles away.
[ Tantobie & Stanley ]
Some 'Old' New Washington Bus Routes
22, 25, 39, 62, 64, 80, 85 & 94
Having just left Brady Square Bus Station, this Double Decker is about to leave
Oxclose Road to join Fatfield Road. View from Victoria Hotel.
No. 80 - Brady Square to Chester-le-Street
[ Brady Square Bus Station. The No. 80 Bus was usually a Double Decker. ]
No. 94 - Brady Square to Chester-le-Street
[ Changing the destination board at Chester-le-Street Red Lion - 1951. ]
No. 22
WORSWICK STREET to SUNDERLAND PARK LANE
via Gateshead, Felling, Heworth, Black Bull (Wardley), Flat Tops, Heworth Road, New Washington Bus Station,
Front Street, Stile Inn, Usworth Station, Three Horse Shoes / Usworth Aerodrome, Hylton Castle, Southwick & Wheatsheaf.
No. 25
WORSWICK STREET to BRADY SQUARE
via Gateshead, Wrekenton, Springwell, High Usworth, Wellbank Road, 'The Drive or Blue House Lane' (alternating), New Washington Bus Station,
Spout Lane & The Village.
No. 39
WORSWICK STREET to EASINGTON LANE, MURTON or THORNLEY
via Gateshead, Felling, Heworth, Black Bull (Wardley), Flat Tops, Heworth Road, New Washington Bus Station,
Spout Lane, The Village, Fatfield Bridge, Penshaw, Shiney Row & Houghton-le-Spring.
No. 62
ESH WINNING to SOUTH SHIELDS
via Langley Park, Whitton Gilbert, Sacriston, Nettlesworth, Plawsworth Red Lion, Chester-le-Street, Birtley,
Washington Village Lane, Spout Lane, New Washington (Concord) Bus Station, Front Street, Stile Inn, Usworth Station,
The Three Horse Shoes at Usworth Aerodrome, Boldon Colliery { Remember the U-turn just past the colliery gates? } & Whiteleas.
No. 64
WORSWICK STREET to SUNDERLAND PARK LANE
via Gateshead, Wrekenton, Springwell, High Usworth, Wellbank Road, Blue House Lane, New Washington Bus Station,
Front Street, Stile Inn, Usworth Station, Three Horse Shoes / Usworth Aerodrome, Hylton Castle, Southwick & Wheatsheaf.
No. 80
BRADY SQUARE to CHESTER-LE-CHESTER
via The Village, Spout Lane, New Washington Bus Station, Blue House Lane, Havannah Terrace, Blackfell Army Camp, Mill House Inn & Birtley.
[ A little known fact: at Chester-le-Street, the 80 kept its number but changed its destination board before continuing to West Rainton. ]
No. 85
WORSWICK STREET to BRADY SQUARE
via Gateshead, Felling, Heworth, Leam Lane Estate (leaving at Black Bull), Flat Tops, Heworth Road, New Washington Bus Station,
Spout Lane & The Village.
No. 94
BRADY SQUARE to CHESTER-LE-CHESTER
via The Village, Spout Lane, New Washington Bus Station, Blue House Lane, Havannah Terrace, Blackfell Army Camp, Eighton Banks, Wrekenton,
Long Bank & Birtley.
Havelock Terrace on Usworth Station Road
A Sunderland to Newcastle double-decker (22 or 64) nearing the off-picture Kings Cinema.
[ Thanks to T&W Archives & Museums ]
No. 25 - Worswick Street to Brady Square
[ Routemaster, left - in service via Washington from 1969. ]
No. 85 - Worswick Street to Brady Square
[ 3rd bus down ]
Havannah Terrace Bus Garage
This Photograph by Robert C. Davis carries the following information:
LT14. WX 3258, Leyland Tiger TS1, Leyland Bodywork, at Havannah Garage, Washington.
A 1950s Bedford Model OB can be seen behind this Bus, so that could date the photograph to the 1950s.
[ Thanks to Ian Findlay of North East Bus Preservation Trust for his comments and for making this wonderful image available to Washington History Society. ]
The North End of Havannah Terrace
Compare windows & doors starting at 1st chimney stack.
[ Some years later. ]
Rear View showing some houses boarded up.
Note the Garage.
[ View from Havannah Fields. ]
Map showing Havannah Terrace. Note the additional building at the Blue House end.
[ OS 1939-61 ]
Nicholson's Crown Coaches
NICHOLSON, J & SONS, HAVANNAH HOUSE, NEW WASHINGTON.
BUS OPERATOR, Licence No. TAR 661
Washington UDC licensed four Buses for a service between Washington Station and Springwell in April 1928, though Gateshead licensed it as Wrekenton to Washington Station. In July, the licences were issued as Brady Square and Springwell.
The Traffic Commissioners licensed four services in 1931, viz:
TAR 661/1: Springwell to Follonsby Colliery, via White Mare Pool (Workmen’s service).
TAR 661/2: Brady Square (Anderson’s Shop) to Springwell (Guide Post Inn) via
Washington Village, New Washington and Havannah Terrace.
TAR 661/3: Brady Square to Havannah Terrace, (Blue House) via Washington Village.
TAR 661/4: Usworth Colliery (Gates) to Wrekenton (Tram Terminus) via Havannah and Springwell.
An Excursions Licence, 661A/1, was issued for two vehicles from the New Inn, Washington.
In January 1934, a new licence, 661/5, was issued for a service between Chester-le-Street and Brady Square, via Portobello and Birtley, to replace that operated by JA and Mrs E Robbins, and JA Robbins jnr. and Miss V Weatherley.
In September 1934, the Workmen’s service to Follonsby Colliery was withdrawn and in April 1935 the Chester-le-Street service was re-licensed as 661/6. Chester-le-Street Bus Stand to Brady Square via Washington Village, and the Brady Square to Havannah Terrace service were re-licensed as 661/69.
In August 1935, licence 661/7 was issued to take over Mrs M.E. Scott’s Springwell (Guide Post) to Birtley service (William IV Hotel via Banks Sandy Hall and Wrekenton). A Workmen’s service between Brady Square and Chester-le-Street was licensed as 661/8 in March 1937.
On April 1938 the company became J Nicholson & Sons (New Washington) Ltd and licences TAR 661/9, 14 and A/2 were issued to replace 661/2, 4, 6, 6a, 7, 8 and A/1. The Directors were JG, MBA & H Nicholson.
Vehicles included: PT 2148, UP 144, 418,1572, BR 1618, UP 2824, 4983, 6610, 8286, 9386, ATN 268, BBB 292, CN 3703.
[ Information courtesy of Washington History Society ]
Nicholson's Crown Coaches
These Coaches, 40s / 50s, had Maroon / Silver Livery.
Richard Cave's Dad was a Bus Driver and his Mother was a Conductress.
[ Cheers Dick ]
Rodham's of Usworth
Rodham's of Usworth - A Calvary Coach
[ Washington phone numbers were upgraded to 6-digits in 1971. ]
A Rodham's Coach parked in the garage entrance between
Jonty Black's Shop (left) and Ritz Cinema (right)
A Rodham's Coach outside March Carpets
(formerly Jonty Black's Cinema Shop) and Ritz Cinema
Jonty Black's Cinema Shop and The Ritz on Victoria Road
Heworth Road to the left. Right: Blue House Lane leading to the Washington 'F' Pit and Havannah Terrace.
Sunderland District Omnibus, No. 39.
Newcastle Upon Tyne to either Houghton-le-Spring, Easington Lane, Murton or Thornley - all via New Washington.
Calling at Gateshead, Felling, Heworth, The Black Bull Inn (Leam Lane), The Flat Tops, Heworth Road,
'Concord' Bus Station, Spout Lane, The Village, Fatfield Bridge, Penshaw & Shiney Row.
[ The SDO Badge is on the side of the bus. ]
39 Bus en-route from Newcastle to Easington Lane
having just passed the entrance to St Michael & All Angels Church in Houghton-le-Spring.
• • ◊ • •
39 Bus crossing The River Wear
South View, left - Fatfield Bridge - Bonemill Lane, right
Penshaw Station Road, over the bridge, leading to Shiney Row and Houghton-le-Spring.
39 Bus, view from Victoria Hotel
Washington Glebe Colliery on the horizon
Washington Wagonway tracks crossing Fatfield Road.
Oxclose Road, leading to Brady Square Bus Station: bottom, right.
39 Bus at Washington Village
Village Lane - Spout Lane - The Cross Keys
39 Bus on Victoria Road, having just left Spout Lane.
Next stop: New Washington Bus Station.
39 Bus arriving at New Washington (Concord) Bus Station
New Washington (Concord) Bus Station and the Construction of Arndale House Shopping Centre.
[ Probably 1957 ]
New Washington Bus Station - Ready for Demolision!
One of two dark & dingy passenger shelters.
The Office Block behind the Bus Station
was where bus crews started and ended their shifts.
Aerial View of New Washington / Concord Bus Station
Located due South of The Oval, between The Ritz & The Regal Cinemas
No. 39 - Worswick Street to Murton
No. 39 (right) - Worswick Street to Easington Lane
No. 39 Bus travelling to Worswick Street, its destination board ready for the return journey to Murton via New Washington (Concord).
Note: St. Mary's Church (far-left) is in Gateshead.
No. 39
WORSWICK STREET to EASINGTON LANE, MURTON or THORNLEY
via Gateshead, Felling, Heworth, Black Bull (Wardley), Flat Tops, Heworth Road, New Washington Bus Station,
Spout Lane, The Village, Fatfield Bridge, Penshaw, Shiney Row & Houghton-le-Spring.
Worswick Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Worswick Street Bus Station opened in 1928, on the same day as The Tyne Bridge.
Residents of Pre-1981 Washington used this Bus Station scores, if not hundreds of times.
[ Few family cars and no Tyneside Metro to and from Heworth! ]
THEN
Some of the bus lanes were much steeper than Worswick Street and large wooden wedges, called scotches,
had to be placed behind each bus's front wheels to prevent it rolling backwards. 1950s.
THEN
Typical Worswick Street Queues in the 1950s
Imagine what it was like on Saturdays when fully-laden shoppers and thousands of Newcastle Utd fans were all heading home.
THEN
Typical Worswick Street queues in 1981
THEN
Typical Worswick Street queues - 7 August 1981
The waiting areas were sectioned by metal fences, one of which is partly visible behind the single decker.
Passengers queued down the slope and up the 'bus entry side'. As seen above, excess passengers queued on Worswick St.
Zooming-in on the original photo reveals one of the destination boards (centre picture) showing:
25 Brady Square (via) Wrekenton, Springwell (and) Washington.
[ Thanks to Newcastle Chronicle. Photo posted on chroniclelive.co.uk, 10 August 2021. ]
THEN
Looking up Worswick Street towards Pilgrim Street.
Bus Entrance: bottom-left.
• • ◊ • •
A NON-SMOKER'S PERSONAL RECOLLECTION
The queues weren't the worst of it. I remember jam-packed buses, passengers with clothes & hair stinking of cigarettes, and The Smoke - a Blue, Carcinogenic Haze.
Knowing it had been moistened in other people's mucus-lined lungs didn't help. No wonder I felt sick and often had to leave the bus before my destination.
Absolutely Disgusting!
Worswick Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Worswick Street Bus Station closed in 1996 and demolition began in January 2021.
New developments will include Offices. Bars, Cafés and a Car Park.
Worswick Street Bus Station in its Heyday - 1950s
Bus Services ceased in 1996.
• • ◊ • •
Worswick Street Bun Stop and a 'temporary' Car Park - 8th April 2009
[ Thanks to Contributor & Photographer, Malcolm Young. ]
• • ◊ • •
The former Worswick Street Bus Station - 2018
Still Awaiting its Fate!
[ Google Earth ]
• • ◊ • •
Demolition of Worswick Street Bus Station - 2021
[ Thanks to Newcastle Chronicle / chroniclelive.co.uk. Photo: January 2021 ]
Demolition of Worswick Street Bus Station - 2021
[ Thanks to Newcastle Chronicle / chroniclelive.co.uk. Photo: January 2021 ]
Demolition of Worswick Street Bus Station - 2021
[ Thanks to Newcastle Chronicle / chroniclelive.co.uk. Photo: January 2021 ]
Demolition of Worswick Street Bus Station - 2021
[ Thanks to Newcastle Chronicle / chroniclelive.co.uk. Photo: January 2021 ]
Worswick Street Bus Station - 2022
[ Photo: J.G. 24th August 2022 ]
Park Lane Bus Station, Sunderland
Park Lane Bus Station was constructed in the 1930s and replaced by a new Bus Station in May 1999.
This became a Metro Interchange on 28 April 2002 following the opening of the Metro Extension from Pelaw to South Hylton.
THEN - 1950s
Sunderland to High Usworth Bus in Park Lane Bus Station
The entrance from Mary Street / Stockton Road is behind the bus.
• • ◊ • •
THEN - February 1964
View through the Bus Station from Park Lane to Mary Street / Stockton Road entrance.
3 Double-Deckers (LR): 64 to Newcastle via Washington - 60 to Jarrow - 14 Sunderland / South Shields
Note the huge Bus Station Depot / Garage on the right.
CLOSE UP
The original image clearly identifies the No. 64 Double-Decker.
[ Thanks to Sunderland Antiquarian Society. ]
No. 64 Double Decker - Sunderland Park Lane to Newcastle Worswick Street, via New Washington (Concord) Bus Station.
• • ◊ • •
TWO YEARS FROM CLOSURE
Park Lane Bus Station, May 1997, seen from Mary Street / Stockton Road entrance. That's Park Lane at the far exit.
Turn left for 'Town' Centre, Major Shopping Areas, Cinemas, Museum, Mowbray Park, Roker Park etc.
[ Shared by David Marshall. ]
• • ◊ • •
THEN
Looking down Park Lane from the Bus Station.
Note the ABC Cinema, with Crowtree Road leading into the distance.
• • ◊ • •
NOW
Park Lane Bus / Metro Interchange viewed from Cowan Terrace
That's Park Lane on the right, leading to the building that once housed the ABC Cinema.
Destination Blinds
A single image showing 3 sections from a 'Bensham Gateshead', 'Bus Destination Blind' (1950s). It was made from Linen.
Remember the Driver / Conductor turning those little handles to wind the Bus Blind to its next destination?
• • ◊ • •
ON THE BUSES
Blakey, Stan & Jack
Stephen Lewis, Reg Varney & Bob Grant
• • ◊ • •
Local Miner, Edward Nesbitt wrote a poem called Buses Through Washington. To read it, Click Me.
To read about Washington's Most Famous Bus, The Loo-y, Click Me.