It was regarded as the railway's eastern terminus until 1887 when this status passed to the hugely enlarged Port of Grimsby.

[6] As built, the shed had four through "roads" (tracks) each with an individual entrance, all under a double-pitched section roof.

[7] It had facilities to provide maintenance, coal and water, which was stored in a reservoir in the triangle between the running lines.

New Holland's local services all ran along very level lines, which provided gentle semi-retirement for ancient locomotives and rolling stock,[9] such as ex-MS&LR 2-4-0s and non-corridor clerestory coaches.

In 1932 it appeared complete[12] but by 1938 the wooden coaling stage had disappeared and the two northern shed entrances had been knocked into one,[13][14][15] by 1960 the roof had gone, but their two supporting walls remained,[16] these, in turn had been demolished by July 1961.