Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line

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

Signage at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station with Pen-y-ghent beyond.

News Items

Last Footsteps in Time for 2024

Wednesday 18th September was an amazing day at Ribblehead with clear skies and a fantastic group of visitors. Many arrived for our morning introduction to the history of the railway build at Ribblehead  The viaduct tour and fossil hunt was a big success before we headed over land in the afternoon. The shanty site is a discovery walk into the hard life of the railway builders. it was a tough place to live work and play: Many struggled and moved on whilst others became reluctantly homeless when the work completed. 

RIBBLEHEAD: FOOTSTEPS IN TIME

Wednesday 18th September

Shanty site tour and viaduct visit.

Don’t miss our very last free event this season at Ribblehead.  The team will be there from 10.45 to meet you in the visitor centre ; a stunning ‘Derby Gothic’  station building . After an introduction to the navvies, check out the original viaduct drawings from 1989 before seeing it for yourself as we set off on our shanty walk at 12.30. 

Ribblehead Rocks

RIBBLEHEAD: Footsteps in Time

Free event on Wednesday August 21st

RIBBLEHEAD ROCKS

Walk, exhibits, cafe

An insight into the geology of the landscape including a fossil hunt at the viaduct and a 6 mile hike to Force Gill Waterfall at the foot of Whernside to discover the source of the building blocks for the iconic viaduct. Join us at Ribblehead visitor centre on the platform.

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.

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/

    A montage of seven photographs taken within the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA).