[1] This line was built, primarily, to avoid the steep gradients of the inland route at Ryhope Bank and Hesleden[2] but also provided access to the newly developed collieries along the Durham Coast.

[4] This meant that the village that developed to serve the colliery was left some distance from their nearest railway station.

Eventually, the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), who had absorbed the NER in 1923, agreed to open an additional station to serve Blackhall Colliery.

[5] The station was recommended for closure in the Beeching Report and was duly closed on 4 May 1964[6] when all stopping services on the line between Sunderland and Hartlepool were withdrawn.

Passenger services continue pass through the site of the station but run non-stop between Seaham and Hartlepool.