News

The Footsteps in Time team at Hellifield Shed 24H for their AGM

The Footsteps in time team have two new features during the 2025 seasons events.

Limestone Botany when we welcome a Leeds based botanical artist, Selina Thorp,   to accompany us in identifying the wild flowers of ingleborough quarry and Gauber pasture.

The Case for Integrated Transport on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line Corridor 

The Leeds-Settle-Carlisle rail line is a nationally important, strategic transport link which has gained increased ridership since reprieve in 1989, both for leisure and local traffic and for longer distance travellers between Yorkshire and Scotland. However, despite passing through one of the most scenic areas of Britain the line fails to fulfil its potential because of the lack of adequate integrated travel to and from the line. 

In March, We are going to be open Fridays 10.30 - 16.00 and Saturdays 10.00 - 16.00.

We will extend those hours when the clocks go forward at the end of March. 

The weather is due to get much colder again so don't forget you can buy some very cosy headwear , bobbles and beanies, from our Settle shop or our web shop.

Both styles £10 from Settle and £13.50 on line incl P & P at https://shop.foscl.org.uk

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL GUIDE

Hello Friends

Membership is due for renewal and we are pleased to confirm that rates of subscription remain unchanged with even more benefits included for the coming year.

FRIENDS’ MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: 

Satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the upkeep and development of England's most scenic railway

The Yorkshire Dales Explorer is an exciting new service that links Greater Manchester and Lancashire to the Settle Carlisle line and the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. It operates on Saturdays and started in June 2024, as an extension of the Rochdale to Blackburn service with 2 trains a day going on to Ribblehead via Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Although trains will terminate at Ribblehead there will be good connections with the Leeds to Carlisle service for those wanting to travel along Mallerstang to Kirkby Stephen as well as to the Eden Valley, Appleby and Carlisle.

See how you paint the landscape from the Settle-Carlisle Line. In this case from Dent Station, watch the video https://buff.ly/40hOg1a .  Also see views of the location and the interior and exterior of the station building, which is owned and maintained by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.  And you can stay here, see  https://www.dentstation.co.uk/ .

Are you a YouTuber or TikToker?

Do you have experience in using these social media platforms?

Any siblings, partners, children, grandchildren or best buddies always showing you the videos they’ve posted online?

We are looking for people with experience of YouTube and TikTok to help promote the Friends and the Line.

Horton Cafe Bar to stay open during the winter on Saturdays only. Core Opening hours 11.00 - 16.30, November through to the end of March

This was our first outing on the "Yorkshire Dales Explorer" train service. Lancashire treated us to lovely sunny weather for our walk through the countryside of  the  Ribble Valley.

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. 

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. 

In a boost to tourism in the Yorkshire Dales, over 1,000 people have travelled on the Yorkshire Dales Explorer train service that started in June this year.

The service runs twice a day on Saturdays and started on 8th June. 

Running between Rochdale and Ribblehead, it allows time for hikers and ramblers to meet up and share tips before they get out to explore the iconic national park.

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.

Lots going on at Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station:  first our lovely cafe/bar which opened in June, now a start has been made on the bridge to replace the foot crossing.

Photo courtesy Mike Farrington.

What a glorious weather day for our walk taking in Ingleborough Quarry;  now a nature reserve full of botanical wonders and an ancient settlement . The sun enhanced the limestone pavement and its features , some of the best in the country, before we descended to Chaoel le Dale . The peaceful historic church there is depicted in a painting by Turner hut we were more interested in the stories of the more famous railway workers buried there. The rich meadows and viaduct views were truly appreciated in our return.

A group of amazing and vibrant individuals living with autism and learning  differences took a train from Skipton to Kirkby Stephen  Station for a visit to Kirkby Stephen East Heritage Line. We were picked up from the Station in a Classic Coach, visited the Station  Workshop where we saw a wooden snow plough being renovated and had several trips on a diesel hauled train.  We were truly spoilt by the volunteers at the station.

On Tuesday 9th July we welcomed Settle Cubs to Settle Station for their second of four visits as they worked towards their new badge Platform for Change .

The Cubs were shown the Station Garden by Karl Graves, Station Adopter.  Karl talked about gardening at the station, seasonal planting , how to use gardening  tools and finally made garden labels for the herbs they planted. They also assisted in varnishing a train planter donated by a local Settle resident.

Despite the miserable weather they had a great time.

Settle Primary School visited Settle  Station and Ribblehead Viaduct on 8th July as part of their end of term activities.

34 children plus teachers and parent helpers visited Settle Signal Box ringing bells and pulling levers, listened to a rail safety talk given by the Fire Public Safety Officer and Community  Police and heard On Train Guide John Anderton talk about Settle Station History.  The children even  created their own heraldic coat of arms.

Free event Armathwaite station 

July 16th 10am to 4pm.

The team at the famous Armathwaite signal box invite you to a day of celebration for it’s 125th anniversary. 

This box is a striking feature to see as you take the spectacular train journey along the LSC line due to its original colours of chrome yellow and sienna brown. Make a visit.  It now holds an eclectic mix of interesting railway artefacts, photos and memorabilia. The friends of the Leeds settle Carlisle line are proud that it remains part of the line's rich heritage.