On the 22nd May, 1834, the Blaydon, Gateshead & Hebburn Railway Company was authorised to build 16.5 miles of railway between Blaydon and Hebburn. Although the line was opened in 1839, they only managed to lay 1.75 miles of track (to Derwenthaugh) before being taken over by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway in the same year.