Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line

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. 

Signage at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station with Pen-y-ghent beyond.

Stay at a Station

Stay at a Station

Virtual Visit

Virtual Visit

Membership

Membership

Guided Walks

Guided Walks

News Items

Walkers at RHD

First Shanty Site visit

Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time

Our first Railway builders and shanty site event of 2025 jwas a huge success on Wednesday21st.

The happy group of walkers were treated to unusually dry terrain and a warm wind free day at Ribblehead. A visiting group of children to our exhibition were stunned to learn that girls their age worked long hours in the brickworks  and boys were working on menial tasks  in all weather.  

Shanty town & viaduct

Railway Builders at Ribblehead

Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time

Free event Wednesday 21st May 2025. 

The theme is the railway builders at Ribblehead with  a guided tour of the shanty area to discover its industrial past. To enhance the experience we have an outdoor theatre production following the tour. This involves walking approximately 4.5 miles over varying terrain. 

Something for everyone 

Ribblehead visitor centre and cafe open 10.15. Closed 3.15pm

Bird's eye primrose

Botany Events at Ribblehead

Ribblehead : Footsteps in Time

Footsteps in time are preparing for the free to join limestone botany treks at  Gauber quarry and pasture opposite the Ribblehead visitor centre. Here’s a few of the amazing flowers seen recently on our recce. Many have yet to fully emerge

Special  thanks to Pete Shaw for his help in searching and identifying the amazing collection of species that thrive in the harsh conditions and altitude at Ribblehead 

Hell Gill Force

Rocks and Rails

Wednesday 7th May 

Rocks and rails is a geology based free  guided walk and tour of the features of the landscape. Discover how the area provided the raw materials for the building of the iconic Ribblehead viaduct as the navvies reshaped the land to create this main-line through the dales.  

Lost village of Thorns

The Lost Village of Thorns

A successful first event which was also  a new event this season. We also had a view of the LSL ‘The Chairman’s Train’ as it  crossed Ribblehead viaduct on its way to London Euston. 

Following  a talk on navvy life  and the glory of the coming of the line through Ribblehead, we set off to Thorns to share a different message. The rise of the railway had its part in bringing the end of droving and the eventual abandonment of Thorns 

Derelict barn

RIBBLEHEAD: Footsteps in Time

Discover Thorns with the Footsteps in  Time team . The first of our new seasons events is on the 23rd April starting from Ribblehead visitor centre at the station. 

The 6 mile walk will leave the station yard at approximately 1130. Please read our important information so that you are able to safely join us.

This now abandoned village was in a thriving location and a regular stop for the drovers  , who were also skilled veterinarians, as they made their way from north to south with livestock, goods and news. 

 

Older news items can be viewed via the 'News' page. The FoSCL 'News' feed is also available via RSS. RSS Feed Symbol

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:

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/

A montage of seven photographs taken within the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA).