The Ribblehead Viaduct is the highlight of the route with its magnificent 24 arches spanning Batty Moss over 100 feet below. Join the Ribblehead Tours to look at the archaeological sites and the history of the viaduct. Hear how the navvies lived and built this tremendous structure with little to assist them but dynamite and muscle power. Places of interest that will be visited are the site of the Batty Green Shanty Town including the site of the hospital, the narrow-gauge tramway, the maintenance shed for the steam locomotives, the brickworks, lime kilns, the stone sorting area and the viaduct itself.
An optional longer tour follows the footpath past Blea Moor signal box to the aquaduct carrying Force Gill across the line, from where the south entrance portal of Blea Moor tunnel, the longest on the line at 2629 yards, can be viewed.
To join a tour, meet at the Heritage Centre on the southbound (Leeds) platform at Ribblehead Station. The viaduct tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
Participants who want to take the full day tour of the viaduct and tunnel sites should also meet at the Heritage Centre at the same time and bring a packed lunch. Please bring warm and waterproof clothing and suitable footwear for walking across rough ground.