TWEEDSMUIR PARISH HISTORY.
Talla Railway.
Cockiland Siding.
On the north face of Cockieland Hill the railway track (this portion of the railway track is now part of the forestry road system) passes a small quarry. Just to the north of this was a railway siding which was thought to be connected with the quarry which was used to supply "rubble pitching" (1). This was the first use of the siding. However I believe the siding had a second purpose and that it became a safety measure to "capture" any rolling stock in the event of any brake failures on the last section of the railway towards Victoria Lodge which was on a very steep gradient. The large balustrade buffers made of railway sleepers at the end of the siding give rise to this view. However another explanation is that the siding was also used as a stand for a Banking Locomotive that was required to assist the trains carrying the puddle clay for the dam up the last two miles up a fairly steep track from 800 ft to 1000 ft.
This picture of 1905 shows the "buffers" at the end of the siding at top right of the picture.
This picture of 1998 shows the siding on the right of the picture. The wooden balustrade buffers of the previous picture have gone only a pile of ballast indicates where they were.
The site of the old quarry has filled with water and is now a nice scenic spot with ferns and wild flowers etc. The site is known by the locals as the "Newt Pond". Unfortunately the newts seem to have disappeared, I suspect that they were fished out by herons. There are however frogs as evidenced by frog spawn appearing during the Spring. It has been promised that the scenic area will be retained, perhaps even improved, when the trees aound the site are harvested. The site is enhanced by a nice specimen pine tree beside the water that was planted some time ago by a local resident - Mr Woodman spare that tree! The quarry site is recognised by the RCAHMS as Tweedsmuir Quarry, Canmore ID 276343.
References.
1) Tait, W. A; Edinburgh & District Water, Notes regarding the Old an New Works, Walter Banks, Edin, 1905. p14.