Siding

When I was following the line of the discontinued Eden Valley Railway, as it left the station at Cliburn heading for the last station on the line Clifton, I noticed some strange markings on the map, like an extra line or something, right by the Wetheriggs buildings.
 
As far as I knew Wetheriggs was once a Pottery and Visitor Centre and I vaguely remember going a long time ago. In 2008 the Pottery closed down and an Animal Welfare Centre took over the property. At one time there were around 700 animals in their care and it became Wetheriggs Zoo and Animal Sanctuary. Then in 2014 they had to vacate the site, as the property was being sold. Since then it has become quite derelict, although I did notice a while back some activity there. But what had all this to do with the railway? Quite a lot as it happens.
 
I found out that there has been a pottery works on this site since the 19th century. In 1855 local clay was being used in the production of bricks, tiles and pipes. Then in 1860 household pottery was beginning to be made. When the Eden Valley Railway was built, it went right past Wetheriggs – you can see the line of the embankment in the picture. At the point where the shed is in the distance, there was a siding for trains to use to deliver coal and collect pottery. The coal was used to drive the pottery machinery and fuel the kiln. The pottery was very successful and continued right through until the railway closed in 1962.
 
Since then the pottery has undergone several restoration projects and at one time it was the only steam-powered pottery in the country. The Beehive Kiln and examples of the kind of pottery that was produced are here.
 
I had hoped to get into the grounds and do a bit of investigation, thinking it might be still derelict. No! We were soon accosted for just parking on the grass outside. The guy who came to see what we were doing was soon placated when I said I was looking for the track of the railway. He couldn’t help but show off his knowledge and told us all about it. He explained that he had bought the place and was clearing the site to create 22 holiday lets with swimming pool etc. So, a far cry from the pottery works with its own railway siding.
 
I did get a bit closer and came upon piles of rubbish, accumulated during the dismantling of the pottery and the animal centre and possibly the railway as well. I felt so sorry for the teddy (see extra) – probably once a much loved carving.
 
   
 And we did move the car!