Network Rail's restoration and refurbishment of Garsdale Station was recognised last year with a National Rail Heritage Award. FoSCL contributed £10,000 towards the cost, which funded the display boards inside the two waiting rooms. These high quality displays tell the story of Garsdale (formerly Hawes Junction) station and the sad tale of Ruswarp the dog, whose bronze statue now stands on a plinth on the up platform. FoSCL launched a highly successful appeal for the statue, which has now become a tourist attraction in its own right.
On 1st July 2010 a plaque fixed to the end wall of the up waiting room was unveiled by Sarah MacManus, National Property Manager for FirstGroup, who are the sponsors of the awards. Seen here with Sarah are Patrick Cawley of Network Rail, Douglas Hodgins (Chairman of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company) and Mark Rand (Chairman of FoSCL).
And this is what the plaque looks like in closeup...
