England's Most Scenic Mainline Railway
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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...
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.
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.
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 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.
Rather than the additional Thursday evening Christmas service from Carlisle to Kirkby Stephen return, Northern will be modifying the stopping pattern of the Carlisle-Leeds service departing 2018 hours. There will be additional stops at Armathwaite (2032 hours) and Lazonby (2039 hours). So, if you live local to these stations, why not do some late-night shopping, go to the cinema of for a meal in Carlisle. Please take advantage of this and help us to prove there is a need for a permanent timetable change for stops at these stations.
Play the sound of the Dales. Create your own ‘rock’ music!
Photographic Display
The display at the RVC and Horton Station attracted much interest. Many of the subjects could claim a link to the railway, and were familiar to the Trust’s volunteers.
Volunteer Forum
Industrial action by members of the RMT means that the 09.19 train from Leeds will not run as scheduled. This train will now start from Skipton at 09.59
Anyone planning to join the guided walk from Hellifield to Settle is advised to catch an alternative train from Leeds to Skipton and join the Carlisle bound train there. The walk will go ahead as planned.
A leaftlet containing details of FoSCL's guided walks programme for November 2018 to April 2019 is now available to download in pdf format via the Guided Walks and Tours: Downloads page.
Full details of the walks can also be accessed via the Guided Walks and Tours database.
Due to the RMT Strike Action on Saturday 27th October 2018 the guided walk from Horton to Ribblehead will be ALTERED.
An alternative 11 mile walk will take place commencing from Horton (1031) and finishing at Settle for the return by train at (1538) or rail replacement bus at (1740).
FoSCL apologises for any inconvenience by this change which is the result of events entirely outside of FoSCL's control.
John Carey
Guided Walks Coordinator
Settle & Carlisle Railway Properties Ltd.
Caretaker Required for Kirkby Stephen & Ribblehead
The role includes overseeing the condition of three of the buildings managed by S&C Railway Properties Ltd. and organising routine maintenance, fuel supplies and periodic safety inspections.
The Caretaker will also be required to undertake minor reactive maintenance and, when appropriate, to oversee work by specialist tradesmen.
Due to a combination of the following:
the following changes have regrettably been made to the FoSCL Guided Walks Programme:
The Settle Carlisle Trust and FoSCL collaborated with Three Peaks Arts to host a series of workshops and displays at Ribblehead, Horton and Settle Stations on the 8th and 9th of September. The displays featured the paintings, photography, embroidery, pottery and sculpture of local artists and craftspeople, all of a very high standard.
The 2018 FoSCL Christmas Lunch is being held at the Golden Lion (Duke Street, Settle, BD24 9DU) on December 1st.
The guest speaker is Edward Album, who will be talking about the attempt to privatise the line between May 1988 and April 1989.
If you would like to attend, please download and complete the booking form (see attachments below).
RMT Strike Action, Saturdays 8th, 15th, 22nd 29th September 2018
Due to the planned strikes, the following changes have regrettably been made to the FoSCL Guided Walks Programme:
This will feature the work of local artists, displayed at Ribblehead, Horton, and Settle stations. The event will be staffed by the artists themselves. It is an opportunity to welcome people who may otherwise not visit, and to engage with local businesses. See the attached poster for full details.
Welcome!
This is the first monthly newsletter, intended to keep everyone informed of events and notices. It also affords myself the opportunity to say what a pleasure it has been to meet many of you and to hear of your contributions.
Due to the planned strikes, the following changes have regrettably been made to the FoSCL Guided Walks Programme:
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