The 'History' area of the FoSCL website now features four sections, each with a different historical theme:

Appleby Chamber of Trade have invested in three electric bikes for hire.  Click here for further information.

We're delighted that the southbound weekday early morning direct train Carlisle-Leeds also stops at Garsdale from 14th May.  Previously it stopped at most other stations, but Garsdale could not be included due to pathing constraints in the Aire Valley.

You can listen to Michael Portillo's radio programme on the post-Beeching cuts, which was broadcast last Saturday at 8pm on Radio 4.  Click on this link to listen again: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h2c9p

But hurry, there's only a few days left!

It's worth listening to the entire programme if you have the time.  Otherwise, the relevant bits for the S&C are:

Just under 15 mins in, Tony Freschini gets 2 minutes.

Walking tours on foot around the railway construction site at Ribblehead will take place every Wednesday from July 4th to September 12th inclusive plus Saturday 18th August.

How would you like to spend a few days staying in the station building at Kirkby Stephen West? Not only can you watch all the trains on the Settle-Carlisle line passing your window, but you're in the heart of the upper Eden Valley with fabulous views of the nearby fells. And the bustling market town of Kirkby Stephen is only a view minutes away. Visit http://www.sandctrust.org.uk/BookingOfficeCottage/ for all you need to know. But hurry, it's fully booked well into the summer months already...

Since the end of the Metro special offer on 23rd March, the trains are back to normal, with plenty of seats on most trains. Come walking in the Dales and the Eden Valley, or admire the scenery along the entire Settle-Carlisle route! This is the best time of year, before the trees come into leaf, so you can see far more from the train. There was standing room only on some trains towards the end of the special offer, and FoSCL will be making suggestions to Northern Rail as to how the situation can be improved next winter. Richard FoSCL Chairman

Statesman Rail are pleased to announce that the new series of ITV’s popular series ‘The Dales’ will air in March and in addition to our “Fellsman” steam train being featured on the opening credits of every episode we will have our own feature in episode 2 when the presenter Ade Edmondson rides the footplate of the engine over the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

Michael Portillo travelled from Carlisle to Ribblehead, then on to Settle, on Monday 23rd January. 

He is making a radio documentary on the post-Beeching closures.  The S&C is of course a shining example of one that didn't happen.

Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, is offering a special offer of one full price adult admission upon purchase of a full price adult ticket.  Offer valid until 31st March 2012.  

Full details of exhibitions and gallery from the Tullie House web site, including offer voucher to print out.