History

1854	Act of parliament passed allowing the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Railway Company to build a line from Picton to Stokesley, a distance of 11.5 miles
27th February 1857	"The half-yearly meeting of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Railway was held at York on Friday, 27th February, Lord De Lisle and Dudley in the chair. The line from Picton to Stokesley, 8.5 miles, was now completed, and would be opened for traffic on Monday 2nd March 1857. There will be three stations upon this section of the line, viz: Potto, Sexhow and Stokesley, at each of which there have been erected a dwelling house for the Station Master, waiting rooms and coal depots. The directors had for the present made arrangements with the North Eastern and West Hartlepool Railway Companies for the supply of locomotive power and working stock. The Chairman stated that the Whorlton mineral branch would be opened on the following Monday, from which a large amount of ironstone traffic would be conveyed over the line." "Herapeth's Journal", 21st March 1857
2nd March 1857	"Several directors of the railway, shareholders and their friends left York at noon on Monday (2nd March) by special train for the opening of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Railway. The new line commences at the Picton Station, on the section of the North Eastern Railway, and at this station there were assembled a large number of people with banners, bands of music, and company. Amidst loud cheers, the carriages left Picton and proceeded on the new line. Concurrently with the opening of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland line was the opening of a short line to the Whorlton royalties, and on reaching Potto Junction, the first station, this branch was traversed by those in the train, who had thus an opportunity of seeing the ironstone conveyed, by means of a tramway, to the branch line. Returning to the main line, the journey along the new railway was completed, the train arriving at Stokesley at about half past three. At the railway station a procession was formed, headed by the townspeople carrying flags, and company, and by the bands playing popular airs; and followed by the chairman, directors and shareholders. The procession went to the Town Hall, where dinner was provided, and 200 gentlemen sat down." "The Engineer", 13th March 1857
1857	William Mothersdale was the first Station Master. William was born in East Harlsey. He married a woman called Louisa Thomasine Sleigh, who lived with her aunt in Potto. According to the census (1861) they lived in the property next to the station. By 1865 the couple had moved to Islington in London, living in St James Road, Islington. This is just across the road from the Caledonian Road Station. I assume from this that William, who was still working on the railway, was working at the station. By 1881 William had moved with his family to Halifax, still working for the railway company.
1861	From the 1861 Census (Living at Station House, Potto) Thomas Walls - age 33 - Rail Clerk - born Appleton Wiske Hannah Walls - age 30 - Wife - born Northallerton John Walls - age 9 - scholar - born Appleton Wiske Elizabeth Walls - age 10months - born Northallerton
1865? - 1891?	Thomas Walls is Station Master.
1871	From the 1871 Census (Living at Station House, Potto) Thomas Walls - age 43 - Station Master - - born Appleton Wiske Hannah Walls - age 40 - Wife - - born Northallerton John Walls - Age 19 - Clerk to Railway - born Appleton Wiske Elizabeth Walls - age 10 - born Potto Loroa A Walls - age 8 - born Potto Alice Walls - age 6 - born Potto
1881	From the 1881 Census (Living at Station House, Potto) Thomas Walls - age 53 - Railway Station Master - born Appletreewick (? spelling) Hannah Walls - age 50 - Wife - born Northallerton Laura Anne Walls - age 19 - Dressmaker - born Potto Alice Walls - age 16 - born Potto Elizabeth M Walls was 20 and living at Potto Grange as a housemaid, John must have been living elsewhere, possibly Hutton Rudby as his daughters were born there - see below.
1890	Transcript of the entry for the Post Office, professions and trades for WHORLTON in Bulmer's Directory of 1890. Walls Thos., station master (North Yorkshire and Cleveland, NER.), goods and coal agent
1891	From the 1891 Census (Living at Station House, Potto) John Walls - age 39 - Railway Station Master - born Appleton Wiske Harriet Walls - age 39 - wife - born East Markham Nottinghamshire Margaret H Walls - age 11 - born Hutton Rudby Elizabeth Ann Walls - age 10 - born Hutton Rudby John G Walls - age 3 - born Potto
1891? - 1908?	John Walls is Station Master (son of Thomas Walls)
1897	Transcript of a gravestone in Northallerton Cemetery In loving memory of Thomas WALLS of Potto Station who died 2 August 1897 aged 69 years. So he giveth his beloved sleep. Also of his wife Hannah who died 24 December 1904 aged 74 years. They that believed have entered into rest.
1901	From the 1901 Census (Living at Station House, Potto) John Wall - age 49 (widower) - Station Master - Born Appleton Wisk Thomas Wall - Son - 22 - Railway Clark - Born Hutton Rudby Margaret Wall - Daughter - 21 - Born Hutton Rudby Elizabeth Wall - Daughter - 20 - Born Hutton Rudby John Wall - Son - 13 - Born Potto
1911	Taken from a Survey of Stations 1911 and 1913 Population Served (1911) - 1,645 Tickets Issued (1911) - 12,133 Main Goods (1913) - Hay & Clover 435 Tons Wagons of Livestock (1913) - 58
1913	James Potter is listed as Station Master. Information taken from the 1913 Kelly Directory of Whorlon
1913 - 1945	Please help to fill in the gap here. Who lived at Potto Station? - visit the feedback page.
1945 - 1960	Alf Anderson is Station Master
1954	12th June1954 - Last passenger service left Whitby at 5.42pm on route to Stockton.
1957	Centenary of the line - as celebrated in the Evening Gazette of March 7th 1957.
1958	1 December 1958 - Station closed to goods traffic.
1961	Potto Station was sold by British Rail to Nancy and Bill Mead (Bill was a signalman at Picton). The house was renamed 'Glenwood House'.
1974	The station changed hands again, this time bought by Gilbert and Joan Swales. Gilbert used the former waiting room as a studio to pursue his work as a commercial artist.
1988	Mike and Sue Whitlock bought the house and are still in residence today. The house has undergone another change of name this time to 'The Old Station'
1997	3rd July: Alf Anderson and his wife Ellen return to Potto Station on the occasion of their diamond wedding anniversary. Alf was the last station master at Potto, being in charge of the station from 1945 until 1960. You can read a transcript of the newspaper article here.
2002	Alf Anderson dies - the last Station Master ANDERSON Peacefully in hospital, on July 21. Alfred, aged 94 years, former Station Master of Wynyard, Thorpe Thewles and Potto Stations. Beloved husband of the late Ellen, dearly loved father of Joan, Robin and Vivian. Funeral service and cremation to take place at Teesside Crematorium on Friday, July 26 in the Chapel of St. Bede at 3.00 p.m. Friends please meet at Crematorium Chapel.
2002	A change of colour scheme to LNER colours and a few alterations and renovations later. The house still retains many of its original features, fireplaces, platform clock, waiting room benches, ticket window etc.