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For the first time since the line was saved from closure in 1989, the Friends are campaigning again.  1st April 2014 sees the start of a new franchise: this time we want to see direct services from Manchester to Carlisle via Blackburn and Settle.  You can help us by completing our short online survey.  Note: you can only complete the survey once from any given computer.  Please total the responses from your household and enter them all at once.  Thank you.

For background information on the campaign, click here.

Join us!  You'll be helping to support and fund our campaign for this and an improved service between Leeds and Carlisle.  Just click here.

What we do: with some 3,500 members, we are probably the largest rail support/user group in the UK.  We provide support to the Settle-Carlisle Railway by

• • Regularly providing On Train Guides to enhance travellers' experience of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
  • Regularly leading Guided Walks from stations along the line and at the historic Ribblehead site.
  • Helping to produce and distribute promotional leaflets to boost passenger numbers.
  • Looking after station gardens, providing heritage style benches and re-painting woodwork.

We act as a user group through

• • Liaison with Northern Rail (the train operating company) on passenger services and Network Rail on railway infrastructure. Through our on train guides and other contacts we are uniquely placed to understand passengers' concerns and relay them to the relevant authorities.

We run shops at Settle and Appleby stations selling a wide variety of S&C related items and local produce.

If you would like to know more about FoSCL, click on the About Us tab at the top of the page.

We hope that you enjoy looking round this web site, that you will come for a tour of England's most scenic railway and that you will consider joining the Friends. We look forward to seeing you.