Leeds-Settle-Carlisle and the national rail network
This is the website of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL), one of several organisations supporting the Settle-Carlisle section of the main line from Leeds to Carlisle. This is not a heritage railway, but part of the national rail network with its passenger trains operated by Northern Rail. We do NOT run steam trains, but steam and diesel charters frequently travel along the line, see www.railtourinfo.co.uk for details.
Together with our partner organisations, we support the railway line that runs from Settle Junction in the south to Carlisle in the north, a total of 72 miles (115 km) in length. The Settle-Carlisle partnership has adopted all ten stations between Settle and Carlisle, tends the station gardens and carries out minor maintenance work. Three of the stations are leased from Network Rail and have a variety of uses intended to encourage people to visit the area. For more information on the wide range of activities we undertake to promote and develop the Settle-Carlisle Line, see About Us.
News Items
Footsteps in Time
The Footsteps in Time team at Hellifield Shed 24H for their AGM
The Footsteps in time team have two new features during the 2025 seasons events.
Limestone Botany when we welcome a Leeds based botanical artist, Selina Thorp, to accompany us in identifying the wild flowers of ingleborough quarry and Gauber pasture.
Integrated Transport
The Case for Integrated Transport on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line Corridor
The Leeds-Settle-Carlisle rail line is a nationally important, strategic transport link which has gained increased ridership since reprieve in 1989, both for leisure and local traffic and for longer distance travellers between Yorkshire and Scotland. However, despite passing through one of the most scenic areas of Britain the line fails to fulfil its potential because of the lack of adequate integrated travel to and from the line.
Horton Station Cafe/Bar
In March, We are going to be open Fridays 10.30 - 16.00 and Saturdays 10.00 - 16.00.
We will extend those hours when the clocks go forward at the end of March.
Bobble Hats and Beanies
The weather is due to get much colder again so don't forget you can buy some very cosy headwear , bobbles and beanies, from our Settle shop or our web shop.
Both styles £10 from Settle and £13.50 on line incl P & P at https://shop.foscl.org.uk
Membership update
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL GUIDE
Hello Friends
Membership is due for renewal and we are pleased to confirm that rates of subscription remain unchanged with even more benefits included for the coming year.
FRIENDS’ MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
Satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the upkeep and development of England's most scenic railway
Yorkshire Dales Explorer in regular service
The Yorkshire Dales Explorer is an exciting new service that links Greater Manchester and Lancashire to the Settle Carlisle line and the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. It operates on Saturdays and started in June 2024, as an extension of the Rochdale to Blackburn service with 2 trains a day going on to Ribblehead via Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.
Although trains will terminate at Ribblehead there will be good connections with the Leeds to Carlisle service for those wanting to travel along Mallerstang to Kirkby Stephen as well as to the Eden Valley, Appleby and Carlisle.
User Group Activities
Train Services
We are continually monitoring Northern Trains's performance in detail: punctuality, reliability and cancellations. Every month this information is summarised and distributed to The Friends' board and Northern. Read more.
The Hellifield Clitheroe line: We have a long-running campaign to reinstate regular passenger services to Manchester along the existing railway line between Hellifield and Clitheroe. The infrastructure is there, it just requires the will to run passenger trains along it! Read more.
Improvements to the passenger service: the new timetable in May 2018 was the biggest change in 25 years. There are a few more services and on balance we think it's a step forward. It could still be improved and we have an ongoing campaign to achieve this. Read more.
Integrated Transport in the Settle-Carlisle corridor: we are strongly supportive of rural bus services which connect with the railway line. There is hardly any funding from either Cumbria County Council or North Yorkshire County Council. FoSCL has contributed but we can't do it all ourselves. An excellent and comprehensive paper on integrated transport has been written by John Carey, FoSCL Committee Member. Read more.
Diary Dates
Forthcoming events from the FoSCL diary:
- Sat 22 Mar, 2025 : 22 March 2025 - Ribble Valley Line: Langho to Whalley then train to Clitheroe - Altered route / timing - Distance and route have changed - see notes
- Sat 29 Mar, 2025 : 29 March 2025 - Moorland Walk and the Doubler Stones - Important information added - Please note walk is 14 miles not 12 miles
- Sat 5 Apr, 2025 : 05 April 2025 - Shipley to Saltaire: a World Heritage Site
- Sat 12 Apr, 2025 : 12 April 2025 - Skipton Circular via Farnhill Moor
- Sat 19 Apr, 2025 : 19 April 2025 - Two Valleys Walk (Easter Weekend)
- Sat 26 Apr, 2025 : 26 April 2025 - South of Gargrave
- Tue 29 Apr, 2025 : 29 April 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Settle Circular
- Wed 30 Apr, 2025 : 30 April 2025 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Dent Marble Geology Walk
- Wed 30 Apr, 2025 : 30 April- ride2stride Walking Festival - Ribblehead Shanty Town Walk
- Thu 1 May, 2025 : 01 May 24 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Skipton History Walk
- Fri 2 May, 2025 : 02 May 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Kirkby Stephen Circular
- Sat 3 May, 2025 : 03 May 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Langwathby to Lazonby
- Sat 3 May, 2025 : 03 May 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Whalley to Clitheroe
- Sun 4 May, 2025 : 04 May 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Horton to Settle
- Mon 5 May, 2025 : 05 May 25 - ride2stride Walking Festival - Appleby Circular
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA)
A small group of volunteers is creating an illustrated guide to the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA). To find-out more - or to 'virtually explore' this unique and fascinating area - visit https://scrca.foscl.org.uk/
