[1] As a result, the DIC proposed an extension from Crook to the foot of the Meeting Slacks incline, which latter became Waskerley, to provide a southern shipping route for their lime and iron products.
The Stanhope to Carrhouse section passed into the possession of the S&DR on 1 January 1845, with the completed 10-mile (16 km) Weardale Extension Railway from the Wear Valley Junction to Waskerley opening on 16 May 1845.
[1] After the opening of the Weardale Extension Railway and the completion of Hownes Gill Viaduct under Thomas Bouch in 1858,[2][3] the DIC had pressed the newly formed NER to link Consett with the River Tyne via Gateshead.
[5] At its peak in 1914 the railway was carrying over half a million passengers a year with a regular goods traffic of timber, bricks and coal to Newcastle and iron ore to Consett.
[12] In November 2020 it was announced that the requested funds would be provided for such a study into reinstating a rail service between Consett and Newcastle,[13][14] although it was unclear whether this would focus entirely on the former Derwent Valley Railway or also include the former line via Birtley.