The new yard was built as a hump shunting (gravity) yard capable of handling 4,000 wagons a day. The reception sidings were built west of the River Calder, the main yard was built on the extended site of the former sidings. The main control tower was located south of the main line and the "Calder Vale Dye Works" near to the river. The yard opened in 1963 at a cost of £3.5 million. The diesel motive power depot at Healey Mills opened in 1967.