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.
News
This page provides access to all news items, including older items that are no longer displayed on the homepage. The items are displayed in reverse order, with the most recent first. The FoSCL 'News' feed is also available via RSS. 
Pre-Christmas Thursday Evening Trains from Carlisle
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.
Horton Station Lithophone
Play the sound of the Dales. Create your own ‘rock’ music!
November Volunteer Newsletter
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
Guided walk 3 November affected by industrial action
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.
Guided walks programme for November 2018 to April 2019
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.
Another walk affected by RMT industrial action
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
Guided walks programme: alterations for October 2018
Due to a combination of the following:
- RMT Strike Action Saturdays 6th, 13th and 20th October 2018
and - Engineering Work Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October 2018
the following changes have regrettably been made to the FoSCL Guided Walks Programme:
All Stations Go!
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.
FoSCL Christmas Lunch 2019
The 2019 FoSCL Christmas Lunch is being held at the Golden Lion (Duke Street, Settle, BD24 9DU) on 30th November..
The guest speaker is Paul Brown, FoSCL Chairman, who will outline his hopes for the future.
There will be a raffle in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
There may be a few places left, contact Martin or Rachel Pearson, 01729 824428, email martinpearson1943@gmail.com
FoSCL Christmas Lunch 2019
The 2019 FoSCL Christmas Lunch is being held at the Golden Lion (Duke Street, Settle, BD24 9DU) on 30th November..
The guest speaker is Paul Brown, FoSCL Chairman, who will outline his hopes for the future.
There will be a raffle in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
There may be a few places left, contact Martin or Rachel Pearson, 01729 824428, email martinpearson1943@gmail.com
More walks affected by RMT strikes
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:
'All Stations Go' art event: 8th and 9th September 2018
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.
Ribblehead Newsletter
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.
RMT Announces Strikes on Saturdays Aug 25th, Sept 1st and Sept 8th 2018
Due to the planned strikes, the following changes have regrettably been made to the FoSCL Guided Walks Programme:
Dalesrail part cancelled
On Sunday 12th August the DalesRail will be part cancelled!
Passengers from Blackpool to travel on a York service to Blackburn, a bus will take them to Hellifield where a train will be waiting for them, this having run ecs from Skipton.
For the return train, the 17.25 Carlisle to Leeds will be re-timed to leave at 17.48, the path of the DalesRail.
On arrival at Hellifield buses will be waiting to convey passengers in to Lancashire.
Settle-Carlisle Line on Channel 4
For those who may have missed The Yorkshire Dales and The Lakes Settle-Carlisle episode on 24th July, you can see it for the following 30 days at
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-yorkshire-dales-and-the-lakes/on-demand/67250-006
Jolly good it was too.
FoSCL Christmas Lunch
The 2018 FoSCL Christmas Lunch will take place at the Golden Lion, Settle on Saturday 1st December. Guest speaker is Edward Album on the subject of the attempt between May 1988 and April 1989 to privatise the line.
For full details, menu and booking form click on the Events tab on the home page.
Early morning trains now stop at Dent
FoSCL campaigned for the early morning southbound train to stop at the smaller stations along the line when through trains in each direction were introduced in the last franchise. Eventually Garsdale, Langwathby and Lazonby were added, leaving just Dent without a service until after 10 am!
FoSCL met Northern Rail's timetabling manager and pointed out that there were 4 minutes slack at Ribblehead and that a stop at Dent would only add 1 1/2 minutes. Nothing happened for a while. Finally, 5 years later, this train and the northbound one will stop at Dent.
Dent Station up for sale
Dent Station building, right next to the platform of England's highest mainline station, is up for sale. Present owner Robin Hughes writes:
"After 11 years of thoroughly enjoyable ownership, I am downsizing at Dent by retaining the Snow Huts and selling the Station which comes on to the Market on 1st June.
Dent Station is a fabulous property and restoring it and owning it as a holiday let over many years has been a great pleasure.We've had many lovely guests over the 11 years.