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
Settle Station Open Day cancelled
Regrettably we have had to cancel this year's Settle Station Open Day on 8th December. There will be no trains at all, and the replacement buses tend to be slow and infrequent, so it is likely that hardly anyone would turn up and most of the helpers would be unable to come either. We hope for better things next year...
Ribblehead Visitor Centre Closed for the Season
The Visitor Centre closed for the season on 31st October. It will re-open at the end of March 2019, following work to damp-proof the west elevation.
A review of the season showed that revenue was significantly up on the previous year. The Visitor Book was full of complimentary comments from guests from all over the world.
Ribblehead clock stops
At 10:36 this morning the clock stopped at Ribblehead Visitor Centre - but this time it wasn't an unexpected failure but a planned event! Work began today on damp proofing the entire West elevation to address chronic problems of water ingress. The porous stone and exposed site have been a problem ever since the station was built.
FoSCL will need a new Chairman
Applications are invited for the position of
CHAIRMAN of the FRIENDS of the SETTLE CARLISLE LINE.
The present Chairman, Douglas Hodgins, has intimated that he will not be seeking re-election at the A.G.M. in May 2019.
The RMT Strikes – a Personal View
The RMT have announced further strikes on every Saturday until the end of 2018. There will be reduced services throughout the North including the #Leeds #SettleCarlisle line.
Campaigns and Promotions
2018 Steam Christmas Card
Pack of 12
Christmas is coming: Our online shop has everything you could need as a memento of the Settle-Carlisle Line, from books through DVDs even to tea-towels! A variety of Christmas cards, next year's calendars and plenty more are in our Christmas Sales List.
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:
- Sun 18 Nov, 2018 : Kirkby Stephen circular: Railway themed walk
- Sat 24 Nov, 2018 : Hellifield to Settle: Full Day Walk
- Sat 1 Dec, 2018 : Archives Open Days
- Sat 1 Dec, 2018 : Bentham Heritage Trail: Wonder and wander walk
- Sat 1 Dec, 2018 : FoSCL Christmas Lunch 2018
- Sat 1 Dec, 2018 : Whernside from Ribblehead: Full day Walk
- Sat 8 Dec, 2018 : Settle to Austwick : Railway Walk
- Sat 15 Dec, 2018 : Victoria Cave circuit: Full Day walk
- Sat 22 Dec, 2018 : Christmas Plod: Explorer walk
- Sat 29 Dec, 2018 : Horton circular via Hull Pot: Wonder and Wander walk
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/
