Rainton and Seaham Railway, Pittington Branch

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 Pittington Colliery (which lies in County Durham) was opened in 1826. Apart from the Robney Engine (HER ref. 3218), most of the Rainton and Seaham Railway, Pittington Branch lay within County Durham. It was part of the Londonderry Railway which closed in 1896.