Londonderry Railway

HER Number:
3081

District:
Sunderland

Site Name:
Londonderry Railway

Place:
Penshaw

Map Sheet:
NZ35SW

Class:
Transport

Site Type: Broad:
Railway Transport Site

Site Type: Specific:
Railway

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
The Londonderry Railway from Painshaw Foundry (HER ref. 3110) to coal staiths on the Wear (HER ref. 3084) opened in 1831 and, like the Hetton Railway, breasted Warden Law on its way to its destination. The whole of the line from Rainton to Seaham was closed in November 1896. The remains of the former engine house (HER ref. 2977) survive at Warden Law. The Londonderry line is interesting for the history of its development and as the only line built to run to the sea. Its origins lay in the problems the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry was experiencing in not only getting his coal to the Wear but also in the punative duties levied by the river authorities, as a result of which Londonderry developed his own port at Seaham and constructed a rope hauled inclined railway to carry his coals there.

Easting:
3123

Northing:
5399

Grid Reference:
NZ31235399

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 3081 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 13; AD Archaeology, 2015, Hunter Street, Shiney Row, Houghton-le-Spring - Archaeological Assessment; The Archaeological Practice Ltd., 2014, Penshaw: Not just a monument - Historic Village Atlas; ASUD, 2017 Land south of Hunter St, Shiney Row - Archaeological Excavation