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
Settle station open day
The annual Settle Station Open Day will take place next Saturday, 7 December.
10.00am to 3.30 pm
Sherry and Mince Pies (sponsored by Booths supermarket, Settle)
Carol singing; Music; Gifts, cards and calendars
Friends old and new all welcome.
Do join us!
FoSCL featured in Northern regional newsletter
FoSCL features prominently in the latest edition of Northern Rail's Eastern Region newsletter., for two completely different activities.
Hellifield station cafe reopens
The tea rooms on Hellifield Station (on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line) have now re-opened with new proprietors. A railway family from Clitheroe have taken on a sub lease and have already carried out refurbishment works. The tea rooms have been renamed SHED24H the number of the erstwhile Hellifield locomotive depot.
Details are as follows:
Hellifield Station, Station Road, Hellifield BD23 4HN
07854 457063
FoSCL Christmas Lunch 2019
The 2019 FoSCL Christmas Lunch is being held at the Golden Lion (Duke Street, Settle, BD24 9DU) on 30th November..
The guest speaker is Paul Brown, FoSCL Chairman, who will outline his hopes for the future.
There will be a raffle in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
There may be a few places left, contact Martin or Rachel Pearson, 01729 824428, email martinpearson1943@gmail.com
Free Settle-Carlisle Folk Concert
at the Royal Oak, Settle, Friday 29 November at 8 pm.
Featuring Karin Grandal-Park and her new production of "Lives on the Line", songs about the men and women who built the Settle-Carlisle Line. Narration by Mark Rand.
Winter special offer for Dales Railcard holders
The annual offer for Dales Railcard and WYCNTs holders is back for Winter 2019 and Spring 2020!
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 14 Dec, 2019 : Great Knoutberry: 11m strenuous
- Sun 15 Dec, 2019 : Otterburn and Scaleber Force: 12m moderately strenuous
- Sat 21 Dec, 2019 : Moughton Scar: 9m moderately strenuous
- Sat 28 Dec, 2019 : Christmas Pud Walk: 6m easy
- Sat 4 Jan, 2020 : Otterburn: 14m moderately strenuous
- Sat 11 Jan, 2020 : Whernside and Scales Moor: 12m strenuous
- Wed 15 Jan, 2020 : Kirkby Stephen Circular: 11m moderately strenuous
- Sun 19 Jan, 2020 : Horton to Settle: 10m moderately strenuous
- Sat 25 Jan, 2020 : MORECAMBE LINE: Gaping Gill and Ingleborough from Clapham: 12m strenuous
- Sat 1 Feb, 2020 : Kirkby Stephen Circular: 10m moderate
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/
SCRCA Showcase
The November 2019 edition of the FoSCL Journal includes an article about the construction of Blea Moor Tunnel. If you'd like to follow-up this article, the following pages offer a good starting point: