East Rainton, Railway Spur

With the development of more effective pumping engines to drain previously unworkable deep coal seams and the development of nucleated collieries, the Rainton Waggonway, especially its southern lines, was extensively upgraded and re-organised by the Tempests, to whom it had passed by marriage from the Whartons in 1730. A number of new branch lines to collieries were constructed between 1816 and 1826. The line to Low Moorsley Pit was opened in 1821. This railway spur led from a coal depot, (HER 3203) to Dun Well Pit and the Rainton and Seaham Railway, North Hetton Branch (HER numbers 3206 and 3205 respectively).