The station was opened by the Blyth and Tyne Railway in 1851 to replace the earlier Hartley Pit station, which is thought to have been located approximately 150 yards (140 m) to the south west.
It was situated at the junction of the Blyth and Tyne railway main line towards Seghill (which veers off sharply to west) and its Avenue branch line to Monkseaton (which continues due south), north of the level crossing of St Michael's Avenue at the east end of New Hartley Village.
The principal goods handled at the station were gravel and sand; this ceased in December 1963.
The station closed to passengers on 2 November 1964.
This article on a railway station in North East England is a stub.