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 and diesel charters frequently travel along the line, see www.railtourinfo.co.uk 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
Great new S&C video
Geoff Marshall visits every station on the Settle-Carlisle Line in just one glorious June day. He departs from Leeds at crack of dawn and returns on the last train in the evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbtl3i5WBI
This must surely become the definitive modern video of the line.
Horton Webcam launch
Unique new views of life on the Settle-Carlisle Railway available on webcam.
Horton in Ribblesdale station has witnessed some fabulous new developments in the life of the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway line and now you can see firsthand the activity, live from your living room, with the introduction of three new webcams at the station.
The Abandoned Village of Thorns
A 6 mile walk to Thorns which returns over the shanty site tramways shadowed by the Ribblehead viaduct. Walk introduction at the visitor centre before leaving from the station yard at 11.30. Exhibitions , talks and cafe open 10.15 to 3.30.
Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time
Wednesday, 18th June.
What a brilliant day we had at the welcoming visitor centre, on the scenic Navvy walk and when taking part in the latest production ‘mysteries in the graveyard’ at St Leonard’s, Chapel Le Dale.
Thank you everyone for coming along to share it.
Our next event is on Wednesday 2nd July when we discover the abandoned village of Thorns and the impact of the railway on the drovers and community there.
First Shanty Site visit
Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time
Our first Railway builders and shanty site event of 2025 jwas a huge success on Wednesday21st.
The happy group of walkers were treated to unusually dry terrain and a warm wind free day at Ribblehead. A visiting group of children to our exhibition were stunned to learn that girls their age worked long hours in the brickworks and boys were working on menial tasks in all weather.
Railway Builders at Ribblehead
Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time
Free event Wednesday 21st May 2025.
The theme is the railway builders at Ribblehead with a guided tour of the shanty area to discover its industrial past. To enhance the experience we have an outdoor theatre production following the tour. This involves walking approximately 4.5 miles over varying terrain.
Something for everyone
Ribblehead visitor centre and cafe open 10.15. Closed 3.15pm
User Group Activities
Train Services
We are continually monitoring Northern Trains's performance in detail: punctuality, reliability and cancellations. Every month this information is summarised and distributed to The Friends' board and Northern. Read more.
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.
Integrated Transport in the Settle-Carlisle corridor: we are strongly supportive of rural bus services which connect with the railway line. There is hardly any funding from either Cumbria County Council or North Yorkshire County Council. FoSCL has contributed but we can't do it all ourselves. An excellent and comprehensive paper on integrated transport has been written by John Carey, FoSCL Committee Member. Read more.
Diary Dates
Forthcoming events from the FoSCL diary:
- Sun 13 Jul, 2025 : 13 July 2025 - Great Pinseat: Healaugh to Gunnerside
- Sat 19 Jul, 2025 : 19 July 2025 - Appleby to Langwathby
- Sat 26 Jul, 2025 : 26 July 2025 - Ribblehead to Horton
- Sat 26 Jul, 2025 : 26 July 2025 - Wild Boar Fell: the Fourth Peak?
- Sat 2 Aug, 2025 : 02 August 2025 - Ribblehead Circular
- Sat 9 Aug, 2025 : 09 August 2025 - Flowerpot Frenzy with Bill and Ben
- Sun 10 Aug, 2025 : 10 August 2025 - Dodd Fell: Hawes to Ribblehead
- Sat 16 Aug, 2025 : 16 August 2025 - Mallerstang Edge
- Sat 23 Aug, 2025 : 23 August 2025 - Kirkby Stephen Circular
- Sat 30 Aug, 2025 : 30 August 2025 - Ribble Valley Line: Ramsgreave to Whalley
- Sun 31 Aug, 2025 : 31 August 2025 - Great Shunner Fell: Hawes to Muker
- Sat 6 Sep, 2025 : 06 September 2025 - Lunch with Pendragon
- Sun 7 Sep, 2025 : 7 September 2025 - Along the Swale: Reeth to Muker
- Sat 13 Sep, 2025 : 13 September 2025 - Langwathby to Armathwaite
- Sat 20 Sep, 2025 : 20 September 2025 - Hellifield to Settle via Scaleber Force
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA)
A small group of volunteers is creating an illustrated guide to 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/
