News

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Reforming Rail Franchising

The Department for Transport is seeking responses currently to its consultation document called Reforming Rail Franchising.  See the DfT web site for details and to download a copy of the document.

 

FoSCL is producing an official response which will be ready by 30th September. The submission of the final version to the DfT will by 15th October to meet their deadline.

 

Ribblehead Archaeology Tours

There has been a record turnout so far this year for the archaeology summer tour programme of the Ribblehead Viaduct and Blea Moor Tunnel area, run by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.  Everyone is welcome on these free walks, and they provide a fascinating insight into how the engineers and navvies won their hard-fought battle against the elements to build the rail line at this bleak and dramatic location.

Carlisle Station - a start?

As of last Friday (23rd July) much of the netting under the roof of Carlisle Station, together with the dead pigeons entangled in it which had caused so much concern to rail passengers, had been removed. 

 

We understand that this and the improvement of the area in front of Platforms 5 & 6 are all part of the same station improvement plan.  We have been assured that the budget for this is safe in spite of government cutbacks, so we live in hope...

Garsdale Award Plaque Unveiled

Network Rail's restoration and refurbishment of Garsdale Station was recognised last year with a National Rail Heritage Award.  FoSCL contributed £10,000 towards the cost, which funded the display boards inside the two waiting rooms.  These high quality displays tell the story of Garsdale (formerly Hawes Junction) station and the sad tale of Ruswarp the dog, whose bronze statue now stands on a plinth on the up platform.  FoSCL launched a highly successful appeal for the statue, which has now become a tourist attraction in its own right.