NEHL - Little Chilton Colliery was a small working at the south end of Ferryhill Station which kick started the development here. It was sand within the first five years of the 1840s in what may be a quarry working, and continued operations until the mid 1860s.

The site was directly connected to the Newcastle, Darlington and Clarence Railway via what appears to be an overhead spur leading south. From there, around 4 sidings converged into the site. In 1845 50 cottages were contracted out to be built adjacent to accommodate the pitmen and their families to move in, and soon after all sorts of infrastructure popped up like chapels of various denominations and a post office. Advertisements were put out in 1846 for coal hewers and putters who were "met with regular employment and will be accommodated with good houses", so it is likely the pit commenced operations in 1846.

It's worth noting the pit was just as fraught with danger as any other working contrary to the picture painted by the owners. At least 6 people died in and around the colliery though likely many more. The first was Isabella Stokeld, not employed by the pit but passed by the tramway with a bucket of water when the tub ran down and struck her. Falls of stone, folk falling down shafts and death by the engine plane all appear.

The pit was owned by the West Hartlepool Dock & Railway Company Co., and when operations ceased in the 1860s it once again became quarries with the railway still connected. In fact, the lime kilns can still be seen today at the edge of the entrance.