News

Appleby signal box, officially known as `Appleby North` has been undergoing major structural and refurbishment work intended to extend the life of the asset into the mid 2050s. The work on Appleby box became necessary due to ground movement which resulted in the structure which dates from the summer of 1951 developing a lean to one side. The scope of the work also included drainage repairs and improved facilities for the signallers.

The attached paper gives an overview of the state of public transport along the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle (SCL) rail line corridor and identifies a significant opportunity for the railway to lead the development of an integrated transport solution for the area.

1.2 A more integrated transport network centred on the SCL corridor would not only benefit local communities providing access to the outside world for leisure, college, health and employment but also allow tourism to develop thus benefiting the local economy and, ultimately, the economy of the railway.

The tunnel is under threat of abandonment.  The photo shows how it could look if restored.

After two sell-out tours in 2019, the iconic 45596 ‘Bahamas’ will steam over the picturesque Settle & Carlisle Railway on 22nd February. To find out more about this LMS Jubilee Class Locomotive, please click here.

GIGGLESWICK RAILWAY CIRCLE – Programme 2020

Wednesday 22 January - Yorkshire Dales Quarries, Railways & Tramways Part 2, Stewart Liles

To start this year’s programme of meetings it is a welcome return to Stewart Liles. After last year’s enthralling presentation, Stewart will be taking us on a tour round more of the quarries in the Dales.

The annual Settle Station Open Day will take place next Saturday, 7 December.

10.00am  to 3.30 pm 

 Sherry and Mince Pies (sponsored by Booths supermarket, Settle)

Carol singing;  Music;  Gifts, cards and calendars

Friends old and new all welcome.

Do join us!

FoSCL features prominently in the latest edition of Northern Rail's Eastern Region newsletter., for two completely different activities.

The tea rooms on Hellifield Station (on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line) have now re-opened with new proprietors.   A railway family from Clitheroe have taken on a sub lease and have already carried out refurbishment works.   The tea rooms have been renamed SHED24H the number of the erstwhile Hellifield locomotive depot.

Details are as follows:

Hellifield Station, Station Road, Hellifield BD23 4HN

07854 457063

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 [email protected]  

at the Royal Oak, Settle, Friday 29 November at 8 pm.

Featuring Karin Grandal-Park and her new production of "Lives on the Line", songs about the men and women who built the Settle-Carlisle Line. Narration by Mark Rand.  

The annual offer for Dales Railcard and WYCNTs holders is back for Winter 2019 and Spring 2020!

A railway cutting that was edging towards the Settle – Carlisle railway line has been strengthened thanks to a £1.2m investment from Network Rail.

The upgrade near Kirby Stephen is being delivered as part of the Great North Rail Project.

It will help keep the line between Leeds, Settle and Carlisle safe and reliable for passenger and freight trains.

Photo courtesy Network Rai, text Rail Advent.

A one-off opportunity on Saturday 19th October: a tutored wine tasting and lunch at Langwathby Station.  Come by train, this is a great chance to enjoy your wine without having to worry about driving home!  Seven Portuguese wines and a two-course lunch of Portuguese fare will be served.  Places are strictly limited, book early - see the attached document for full details.

New electric Northern Rail Class 331 trains are scheduled to commence service between Leeds and Skipton, the Airedale Line, on Monday 9th September.  They will eventually replace the existing Class 322 electric trains.  There was a launch event involving a trip in one of the 331s from Skipton to Leeds on 3rd September and those who attended were highly impressed.  The photo, courtesy of Douglas Hodgins, shows one of the new trains at Skipton station.  

Appleby Station held a highly successful Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday.  There were a great variety of stalls stretching all the way along the car park to the Heritage Centre, a brass band and even a real live owl!  It was very well attended, the photo shows just how many people were waiting for the train home - only 2 carriages, but we're working on getting all our trains increased to 4 cars.  

All credit to the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company for organising the event, let's hope there'll be another next year.

A truly amazing exhibition in Carlisle, you can travel there on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line, see https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/tickets-times-travel/ for all travel information.  Our 7-year old granddaughter was enthralled, we spent an hour and a half in the one gallery alone.

On 10th August our good friends at Kirkby Stephen East station - on what used to be the Stainmore Line - are running a Railwayana Collectors' Fair.  There's also loads more going on this summer, see http://www.kirkbystepheneast.co.uk/StainmoreRailway-Events.html.

A German visitor to the line recently wrote a very comprehensive and informative blog about her visit to the Settle-Carlisle Line.  It's in German, so any German speakers out there may like to have a look through it, some nice photos too - and there's always Google Translate.  it is to be hoped that this will encourage more visitors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to the line.  https://lillys.news.blog/

Our fantastic new heritage style waiting shelter at Appleby is now open for use. Cleverly designed, matches the station buildings. Project management was by FoSCL, it was part funded by The Railway Heritage Trust, Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Co and Northern Rail. Great workmanship by Hopleys builders of Settle, who also built a similar shelter for us at Settle.  

Now passengers will be able to shelter from the rain and cold at times when the ticket office is not open.  Actually it still needs some seats inside, but they won't be long in coming!