This view of old Billingham Station looks east the line going to Hartlepool passing, beyond the level crossing gates, the farmland which belonged to High Grange Farm. Opened in the 1830's Billingham was becoming increasingly busy by 1900 when it was part of the North Eastern Railway. It increased further with the opening of the coast line from Hartlepool direct to Sunderland in the early 1900's. The station buildings shown here (the up-line to Hartlepool is on the left) date from 1866 and those who remember them will note that the signal box was situated north of the crossing - opposite to its position today. A highly collectable print.