Tag Archive: Hebburn







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!!

As with the 310, this is another long-missed ‘cross-tyne’ service. However, this service did not always to go Sunderland as it did in later years. This service originally went to Lukes Lane Estate in Hebburn which a short service shuttle operating between Jarrow and Lukes Lane only to maintain a regular half-hour link. One bus an hour extended to Cramlington and was jointly operated by United and Northern.

Continuing on the theme of express services. Here is a curious little express service between Jarrow and Washington.

Was there ever much demand for a Washington to Jarrow express? – You could make the argument for Hebburn being an area of industry, or that Washington was a place for shopping, but the service starts at a peculiar time (09:35) to be of any use for workers, and surely people in Hebburn and Jarrow would use local facilities for shopping or, better still, venture in town. This service was replaced, in part, by the ‘526’ which also served Heworth, Leam Lane and Concord. Nowadays, there is no direct service between Jarrow and Washington.