Seaham is a railway station on the Durham Coast Line, which runs between Newcastle and Middlesbrough via Hartlepool. The station, situated 5 miles 11 chains (8.3 km) south-east of Sunderland, serves the seaside town of Seaham in County Durham, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

Seaham
General information
Location	Seaham, County Durham England
Coordinates	54°50′21″N 1°20′47″W
Grid reference	NZ420495
Owned by	Network Rail
Managed by	Northern Trains
Platforms	2
Tracks	2
Other information
Station code	SEA
Classification	DfT category F1
History
Original company	Londonderry, Seaham and Sunderland Railway
Pre-grouping	North Eastern Railway
Post-grouping	London and North Eastern Railway British Rail (North Eastern Region)
Key dates
2 July 1855	Opened as Seaham Colliery
1 March 1925	Renamed Seaham
Passengers
2016/17	145,362
2017/18	140,894
2018/19	137,652
2019/20	138,938
2020/21	35,228
Services
Preceding station Northern Following station Horden towards Middlesbrough via Hartlepool Durham Coast Line Sunderland towards Newcastle
Location
Seaham Location in County Durham, England
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

The first railway route into the town, the Seaham and Sunderland Railway, was built as a means of exporting coal from nearby collieries owned by the Marquess of Londonderry. It opened in 1854, and ran from Seaham Harbour to Ryhope Grange, near Sunderland, where it joined with the North Eastern Railway.

The station was opened to passengers by the Londonderry, Seaham and Sunderland Railway on 2 July 1855, and was originally known as Seaham Colliery.[1]

In 1900, the North Eastern Railway purchased the line. To create a new coastal route between Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, the line was extended south along the coast, with the section between Seaham and to West Hartlepool opening on 1 April 1905.[2]

Upon the opening of the line, a new through station (current station) was constructed. On 1 March 1925, the (current) station was renamed from Seaham Colliery to Seaham.[1] On the same day, the nearby harbour station was renamed from Seaham to Seaham Harbour,[1] closing to passengers fourteen years later, on 11 September 1939.[2]

Facilities

The station facilities were improved during the 2010s to include fully lit waiting shelters and CCTV. The long-line Public Address system (PA) was renewed and upgraded with pre-recorded announcements.

The station is unstaffed, but a self-service ticket machine is provided on the northbound platform to allow passengers to buy tickets before boarding or to collect pre-paid tickets. Train running information is offered via timetable posters, digital CIS displays and automatic announcements. Step-free access is available to both platforms.[3]

Services

Northern Trains Route 2
v t e
Durham Coast Line
Newcastle Heworth Sunderland Seaham Horden Hartlepool Seaton Carew Billingham Stockton Thornaby Middlesbrough
Most services extend to/from Hexham or Nunthorpe.

As of the May 2021 timetable change, the station is served by an hourly service between Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Most trains continue to Hexham (or Carlisle on Sunday) and Nunthorpe. Two trains per day (three on Sunday) continue to Whitby. All services are operated by Northern Trains.[4]

Rolling stock used: Class 156 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter

References

Sources

External links

• Media related to Seaham railway station at Wikimedia Commons
• Train times and station information for Seaham railway station from National Rail

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Horden		Northern Trains Durham Coast Line		Sunderland
	Historical railways
Seaham Harbour Line and station closed		Londonderry, Seaham and Sunderland Railway		Seaham Hall Dene (private station) Line open; station closed
				Ryhope East Line open; station closed
Hawthorn Tower Halt (workmen's halt) Line open; station closed		London and North Eastern Railway Durham Coast Line		Ryhope East Line open; station closed
Easington Line open; station closed