First Impressions: Recollections of Peter G. Davies

My admiration for the Settle and Carlisle line extends back to 1958 when I first took a journey over the line from Carlisle to Leeds on the ‘Waverley’ express from Edinburgh to Leeds. We arrived in Carlisle behind a Class A3 Pacific, 60079 Bayardo. Engines were changed and two locomotives came on the front of the train, a class 5 4-6-0, and a Jubilee 45562 Alberta. We left Carlisle and soon we were heading south along the Eden Valley. Mountains came into view on both sides of the train and I became very excited. I had my head out of the train most of the way until I received my Settle and Carlisle baptism (literally!) on the water troughs at Garsdale.

From that time onwards, I began to appreciate the engineering works and the wonderful mountain scenery through which the line passed. I made several journeys over the line, travelling to and from Scotland, for a number of years. I then joined the Yorkshire Dales National Park as a Warden and led walks from the specially chartered Dales Rail trains.

It was, of course, not until 1982 that I became aware of the plans by British Rail to close the line. I became incensed by this and I duly joined the Friends in order to help save the line from closure. I became involved in the campaign helping with surveys and issuing objection forms to passengers. I also attended several of the public hearings and I addressed the North East and North West Transport Users Consultative Committees in both Carlisle and Leeds.

I then took a keen interest in the work of the Friends and I am Membership Secretary. The work of the Friends has continued since the reprieve of the line in 1989, and I am very proud to be a volunteer and to help in any way I can.