While studying a 19th-century map in advance of a multibillion-pound rail upgrade, a team from Network Rail discovered the location of a forgotten railway siding at Hillhouse, near Alder Street, in Huddersfield.
Over the last three months, with the support of Archaeological Services WYAS, this location has been carefully surveyed and excavated, revealing the remains of brick-built engine sheds and two railway turntables.
It is believed these were used to house and maintain trains on the Manchester & Huddersfield Railway, and particularly for transporting cattle, coal, and other material across the UK.
It is hoped that post-excavation analysis of brick and mortar from the site will provide a better understanding of the industrial history of this region.
