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 charters frequently travel along the line, see www.uksteam.info 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.
News Items
Cumbria Classic Vehicle Rally, Easter weekend
THE 21STCUMBRIA EASTER RALLY
THE UK’S BIGGEST, FREE CLASSIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RALLY TURNS 21
20TH – 21ST APRIL 2019
Ribblehead Visitor Centre cafe reopens
Now open! Ribblehead Visitor Centre cafe has reopened after major refurbishment over the winter, from damp-proofing to redecoration, refurnishing and a brand new coffee machine! Much of the work was done by FoSCL volunteers. Nick Pearce, Chairman of S&C Railway Properties Ltd, said "Thank you to everyone who came to help; to those who made long journeys; to those that started at crack of dawn; to those who stayed late to get jobs done; to those who worked at home to prepare in advance; to those that did the less attractive jobs; to thise who kept going when ob
End to Strikes - what next?
News from Northern Rail's Regional Community Manager:
I am writing to let you know that RMT has agreed to suspend its strike action and recommence talks about the future role of the conductor. This follows positive discussions between RMT and Northern - brokered by ACAS Chair, Sir Brendan Barber. This is really good news for customers and businesses across the North.
Appleby Review of 2018
Appleby is half-way between Settle and Carlisle. We think it deserves more prominence so here is a diary of events in 2018. Thank you Mike Summers for this contribution.
Strikes set to continue
The RMT has announced that Northern Rail conductors will strike on every Saturday in January. This is likely to mean no Saturday trains at all on the Settle-Carlisle Line and very few replacement buses.
According to the Northern Rail web site, https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/strike , Northern has called on RMT to suspend its damaging strike action and accept an independent ACAS inquiry.
Passenger numbers recover well
The latest figures from the ORR (Office for Road and Rail) for station footfall, that's the number of people getting on and off trains at a particular station, show that the Settle-Carlisle Line passenger numbers have recovered very well after the line was closed at the northern end for over a year by the Eden Brows landslide. The chart shows a time series from 2005-06 to 2017-18 for Armathwaite which as the nearest station to the landslide was particularly badly affected.
Campaigns and Promotions
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.
Diary Dates
Forthcoming events from the FoSCL diary:
- Sat 20 Apr, 2019 : Cumbria Classic Vehicle Rally, Easter weekend
- Sat 20 Apr, 2019 : Kirkby Stephen Easter classic vehicle rally: Wonder and Wander walk
- Sat 20 Apr, 2019 : Settle circular via Malham: Easter Saturday Full Day walk
- Mon 22 Apr, 2019 : Kirkby Stephen circular via Stainmore Viaducts: Easter Monday Full Day walk
- Sat 27 Apr, 2019 : Middleton Fells 12m S
- Sat 11 May, 2019 : John Disney Memorial Day. Settle Historical Walk
- Sat 11 May, 2019 : JOHN DISNEY MEMORIAL DAY: Settle Circular 10m MS
- Sat 11 May, 2019 : JOHN DISNEY MEMORIAL DAY: Stainforth Force 8m M
- Sat 18 May, 2019 : MORECAMBE LINE WALK: Clapham to Horton 7m M
- Sun 19 May, 2019 : Kirkby Stephen Circular: Smardale 12m MS
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA)
A small group of volunteers is creating an illustrated guide to the key railway-related structures and sites within 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/
