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
Integrated Transport
The attached paper gives an overview of the state of public transport along the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle (SCL) rail line corridor and identifies a significant opportunity for the railway to lead the development of an integrated transport solution for the area.
1.2 A more integrated transport network centred on the SCL corridor would not only benefit local communities providing access to the outside world for leisure, college, health and employment but also allow tourism to develop thus benefiting the local economy and, ultimately, the economy of the railway.
Queensbury Tunnel Restoration
The tunnel is under threat of abandonment. The photo shows how it could look if restored.
Bahamas railtour from the K & WVR
After two sell-out tours in 2019, the iconic 45596 ‘Bahamas’ will steam over the picturesque Settle & Carlisle Railway on 22nd February. To find out more about this LMS Jubilee Class Locomotive, please click here.
GIGGLESWICK RAILWAY CIRCLE – Programme 2020
GIGGLESWICK RAILWAY CIRCLE – Programme 2020
Wednesday 22 January - Yorkshire Dales Quarries, Railways & Tramways Part 2, Stewart Liles
To start this year’s programme of meetings it is a welcome return to Stewart Liles. After last year’s enthralling presentation, Stewart will be taking us on a tour round more of the quarries in the Dales.
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.
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.
Diversions from the West Coast Main Line: the WCML is all too often blocked between Preston and Carlisle, usually due to a fault with the overhead wires. Passengers are forced to queue for rail replacement buses, sometimes in the rain. At Carlisle they clog up the parking area at the front of the station. For several years now we have been campaigning for Virgin (now Avanti) and Trans-Pennine Express trains to be diverted via Clitheroe and Hellifield and along the Settle-Carlisle Line to Carlisle. For planned engineering work Virgin used to do this, either using Voyagers, or Pendolinos hauled by their Class 57 Thunderbirds - which of course were sold off. We have been faced with one excuse after another: basically it's too difficult or too expensive. We shall continue the campaign...
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:
- Sat 15 Feb, 2020 : MORECAMBE LINE: Austwick and Ribblehead: 10m moderate
- Sun 16 Feb, 2020 : MORECAMBE LINE: Clapham to Settle: 9m moderate - Cancelled - Walk cancelled due to adverse weather forecast.
- Sat 22 Feb, 2020 : Bahamas railtour from the K & WVR
- Sat 22 Feb, 2020 : Horton and Alum Pot: 9m moderate
- Sat 29 Feb, 2020 : Settle to Malham via Attermire: 7m moderate
- Wed 4 Mar, 2020 : Kirkby Malham: 13m moderately strenuous
- Thu 5 Mar, 2020 : Settle Circular: 8m moderately strenuous
- Sat 7 Mar, 2020 : Grisedale and Hellgill Force: 8m moderate
- Sun 8 Mar, 2020 : Kirkby Stephen and the Northern Viaducts: 9m moderate
- Sat 14 Mar, 2020 : MORECAMBE LINE: Newbiggin Crags: 11m strenuous
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/
