Ferryhill railway, in 1834, used the Gap for its mineral line
from Port Clarence to Coxhoe, by the Clarence Railway Company. The
Newcastle & Darlington Railway, in 1844, ran another line
alongside, using the same natural Gap in the hillside. Some 100,000
abic rocks were removed to obtain the required width and gradient.
In 1872, the selection of line was opened to passengers. In June
1887, there was the opening of the island station, at a cost of£13,
612. The station closed in 1967, and demolished in 1969.
In 1840, Ferryhill Railway Station was built to service a
population of 850. In the same year, Ferryhill Station Goods Yard
was opened, and was once referred as being the busiest goods yard
in the North of England, and during the Second World War, that same
goods yard housed all the stock from York.
The North Eastern Railway engine shed, Ferryhill Station, was
built in 1871, to house perhaps a dozen goods engines. The shed was
closed in 1938, and demolished later on.
In 1962, Dr Beeching, Minister in charge of railways, decided to
close down a vast amount of railway stations throughout England
Ferryhill was included. However due to public opinion, the closure
was deferred until a year later, when it became a goods station
only. In 1969, it burnt down.
