Hartley Waggonway

By 1758 a waggonway was constructed from the Hartley pits to 'Hartley Harbour' later known as Seaton Sluice. Between 1851 and 1853 an intermittent passenger service operated along the line. The last coal exports left in 1866 and the last large ship left the silted up Harbour in 1872.

However in 1914 it was intended to open a new electrified branch to Collywell Bay, a new name for Seaton Sluice to encourage tourism. It never opened due to the War, despite being substantially complete, including stations, signal boxes and track. During the war it housed a 54 ton, 9.2 inch naval gun. Which was pushed and pulled along the line by two NER locomotives. The line was dismantled after the war, never opening!

Photos courtesy of:
Billy Embleton
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums