Clarence Railway
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Most of this line is open. This was the first railway in Britain opened to compete with another railway (the Stockton and Darlington Railway). |
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The line runs through the area to the north of Stockton; running from uphill around Ferryhill to the north bank of the tees. It was intended to carry coal from South Durham to the Tees in competition with the Stockton and Darlington Railway with which it had a junction at Sim Pasture.
This was the first railway in Britain opened to compete with another railway.
Haverton Hill to the Stockton and Darlington Railway at Sim Pasture Farm and 3 branches;
2 & 3 abandoned in favour of Durham branch (Stillingmoor Moor House and terminate at Old Elvet Street - only built as far as Ferryhill) and Stockton branch (completed) also Sherburn branch (only built as far as Coxhoe, but earthworks as far as Quarrington) leaving Durham branch at Ferryhill and Byer Green branch (completed) leaving Durham branch at Ferryhill. Finally a branch to Chilton.
As a result of the competition from this line the Stockton and Darlington Railway extended to Middlesborough
1842 stuggles with the "Great North of England Railway and Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway". Clarence backed in this struggle by Stockton and Hartlepool Railway which it was leased to from August 1844. 30 June 1852 Stockton and Hartlepool and Hartlepool and West Harbour & Dock Co merged along with purchase of Clarence Railway. Whole concern merged with North Eastern Railway in 1865.