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
We're branching out
This was our first outing on the "Yorkshire Dales Explorer" train service. Lancashire treated us to lovely sunny weather for our walk through the countryside of the Ribble Valley.
Last Footsteps in Time for 2024
Wednesday 18th September was an amazing day at Ribblehead with clear skies and a fantastic group of visitors. Many arrived for our morning introduction to the history of the railway build at Ribblehead The viaduct tour and fossil hunt was a big success before we headed over land in the afternoon. The shanty site is a discovery walk into the hard life of the railway builders. it was a tough place to live work and play: Many struggled and moved on whilst others became reluctantly homeless when the work completed.
RIBBLEHEAD: FOOTSTEPS IN TIME
Wednesday 18th September
Shanty site tour and viaduct visit.
Don’t miss our very last free event this season at Ribblehead. The team will be there from 10.45 to meet you in the visitor centre ; a stunning ‘Derby Gothic’ station building . After an introduction to the navvies, check out the original viaduct drawings from 1989 before seeing it for yourself as we set off on our shanty walk at 12.30.
Yorkshire Dales Explorer
In a boost to tourism in the Yorkshire Dales, over 1,000 people have travelled on the Yorkshire Dales Explorer train service that started in June this year.
The service runs twice a day on Saturdays and started on 8th June.
Running between Rochdale and Ribblehead, it allows time for hikers and ramblers to meet up and share tips before they get out to explore the iconic national park.
Ribblehead Rocks
RIBBLEHEAD: Footsteps in Time
Free event on Wednesday August 21st
RIBBLEHEAD ROCKS
Walk, exhibits, cafe
An insight into the geology of the landscape including a fossil hunt at the viaduct and a 6 mile hike to Force Gill Waterfall at the foot of Whernside to discover the source of the building blocks for the iconic viaduct. Join us at Ribblehead visitor centre on the platform.
Horton Developments
Lots going on at Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station: first our lovely cafe/bar which opened in June, now a start has been made on the bridge to replace the foot crossing.
Photo courtesy Mike Farrington.
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 2 Nov, 2024 : 02 November 2024 - In Search of Ursus and Salmo
- Sat 16 Nov, 2024 : 16 November 2024 - Hellifield to Skipton
- Sat 30 Nov, 2024 : 30 November 2024 - Hike around Horton-in-Ribblesdale
- Sat 14 Dec, 2024 : 14 December 2024 - Settle Festive Circular via Nappa Cross
- Sat 28 Dec, 2024 : 28 December 2024 - Walk off that Crimbo Excess!
- Sat 11 Jan, 2025 : 11 January 2025 - The Only Trig Point in the Village!
- Sat 25 Jan, 2025 : 25 January 2025 - Ribblehead to Horton via the Pennine Way
- Sat 8 Feb, 2025 : 08 February 2025 - Snowdrops around Appleby
- Sat 22 Feb, 2025 : 22 February 2025 - Bingley and the Two Mortons
- Sat 8 Mar, 2025 : 08 March 2025 - Long Preston to Settle via the Ribble Way
- Sat 15 Mar, 2025 : 15 March 2025 - St Ives Estate and Alter Crag
- Sat 22 Mar, 2025 : 22 March 2025 - Ribble Valley Line: Langho to Clitheroe
- Sat 29 Mar, 2025 : 29 March 2025 - Moorland Walk and the Doubler Stones
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/
