The engineer for the project was Fred Fowler, the brother of Sir John Fowler, who designed the Forth Railway Bridge. The main contractor was a Mr Rigby, but there was also involvement by Fowler's nephew, who was part of Fowler and Marshall. When the work was nearing completion, a Board of Trade inspection took place, but opening was delayed by the requirement for additional work at the Deepcar end of the line. The line finally opened on 14 April 1877.
