The station, situated 18 miles 5 chains (29 km) south-east of Sunderland, serves the port town of Hartlepool in County Durham, England.

[6][7][8][9] As part of the scheme, Hartlepool station would have received improved service to Nunthorpe, possibly a street-running link to Guisborough and the Headland, as well as new rollingstock.

In September 2020, Tees Valley Combined Authority launched a £1.5 million study to investigate the feasibility of a similar scheme to reopen the former up platform so as to improve capacity through the station.

[18] Train running information is offered via automatic announcements, dot matrix display screens and timetable posters.

There are toilets in the ticket office and a waiting room on the concourse, along with vending machines dispensing snacks and cold drinks.

[19] As of the June 2021 timetable change, there are four trains per day heading south towards London King's Cross via York.

[20] Rolling stock used: Class 180 Adelante As of the winter 2023 timetable change, the station is served by an hourly service between Newcastle and Middlesbrough.