Kingmoor Sidings Nature Reserve, Information sign board

Image: © Andy Connor Taken: 8 Jun 2008

The Reserve, which was a former rail yard, was opened to the public in 1987 by David Bellamy. Many signs of the past rail history can still be seen on the reserve today. History:- Kingmoor Motive Power Depot (as it is more correctly known) opened in 1874 to maintain and repair trains on the Caledonian Railway which ran from Carlisle to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The early wooden engine shed was soon replaced by a brick shed in the centre of the site. Areas of the concrete floor are still visible today. By the early 1960s Kingmoor was one of the few remaining steam depots on the west coast main line. However, as the diesel power era arrived its days were numbered and the depot closed in 1968. Wildlife:- Following the closure of the site, wildlife began to colonise even before the reserve opened in 1987. The dense silver birch has grown from seed blown in and thrives on poor rail ash soils. It's a natural soil improver slowly enabling other trees such as oak and ash to move in. Sparrowhawks aerobatic displays - once this aerial acrobat has eyed up its prey it is a highly successful hunter with its long tail and short broad wings it can manoeuvre easily through dense woodland in pursuit of small birds. The reserves Birch Woodland provides much food for sparrows, finches and blue tits, which in turn attracts hungry sparrowhawks.

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