Leeds-Settle-Carlisle and the national rail network
This is the website of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL), one of several organisations supporting the Settle-Carlisle section of the main line from Leeds to Carlisle. This is not a heritage railway, but part of the national rail network with its passenger trains operated by Northern Rail. We do NOT run steam trains, but steam and diesel charters frequently travel along the line, see www.railtourinfo.co.uk for details.
Together with our partner organisations, we support the railway line that runs from Settle Junction in the south to Carlisle in the north, a total of 72 miles (115 km) in length. The Settle-Carlisle partnership has adopted all ten stations between Settle and Carlisle, tends the station gardens and carries out minor maintenance work. Three of the stations are leased from Network Rail and have a variety of uses intended to encourage people to visit the area. For more information on the wide range of activities we undertake to promote and develop the Settle-Carlisle Line, see About Us.
News Items
Footsteps in Time special event
Footsteps in Time
SPECIAL EVENT
Sunday May 3rd
St Leonard’s church
Chapel-le-Dale
We celebrate 150 years of the Settle -Carlisle line by remembering the labourers of the railway workers who built it ; men women and children. Many from Ribblehead are buried here at Saint Leonards but this is in memory of all those who were employed in providing the scenic line through the dales, and on to Carlisle, that we still love today.
1.15 pm
150th Anniversary
1st May 2026 is the 150th anniversary of the first passenger service from Leeds via Settle to Carlisle. To mark this event The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line, working with our partner organisations The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company and the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust, and with train operator Northern Rail have organised various commemorative events starting on the day itself and continuing over the summer. Please see the attached page for a full list.
Avanti Diversions
The Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line are pleased to report that our railway will again be used for diverted Avanti West Coast passenger services during April 2026.
It's great to see the Settle and Carlisle line being used for diverted passenger and freight services and illustrates the strategic value of the line as a third route to Scotland.
The West Coast Main Line will be closed for engineering work between Preston and Carlisle on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April and then Saturday 11 April through to Sunday 19 April inclusive.
FoSCL AGM 2026
The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line AGM will take place on Saturday 25th April in Leeds, full details in the attached document.
Footsteps in Time
The last event this season for Footsteos in Time was to Thorns. A hamlet that was abandoned soon after the railway came to Ribblehead. It’s steeped in history and full of intrigue The WI group from Barley and visitors from Settle soaked up the atmosphere whilst having lunch there in the autumn sun. Following a walk along the shanty tramways on our return , passing the viaduct, we reached Batty Moss. Sitting on limestone blocks formed over 325 million years , we took part in an outdoor production of ‘Mischief in the Navvy Hut’ by the Settle Graveyard Project players.
Footsteps in Time
Free event Saturday 11th October
The abandoned village of Thorns
Theatre production on navvy family life during the viaduct build.
User Group Activities
Train Services
We are continually monitoring Northern Trains's performance in detail: punctuality, reliability and cancellations. Every month this information is summarised and distributed to The Friends' board and Northern. Read more.
The Hellifield Clitheroe line: We have a long-running campaign to reinstate regular passenger services to Manchester along the existing railway line between Hellifield and Clitheroe. The infrastructure is there, it just requires the will to run passenger trains along it! Read more.
Improvements to the passenger service: the new timetable in May 2018 was the biggest change in 25 years. There are a few more services and on balance we think it's a step forward. It could still be improved and we have an ongoing campaign to achieve this. Read more.
Integrated Transport in the Settle-Carlisle corridor: we are strongly supportive of rural bus services which connect with the railway line. There is hardly any funding from either Cumbria County Council or North Yorkshire County Council. FoSCL has contributed but we can't do it all ourselves. An excellent and comprehensive paper on integrated transport has been written by John Carey, FoSCL Committee Member. Read more.
Diary Dates
Forthcoming events from the FoSCL diary:
- Sat 6 Jun, 2026 : 06 June 2026 - Ingleborough
- Sat 13 Jun, 2026 : 13 June 2026 - The First Step is a Biggie!
- Sat 20 Jun, 2026 : 20 June 2026 - Kirkby Stephen Circular via Smardale
- Sun 21 Jun, 2026 : 21 June 2026 - Around Kisdon Hill
- Sat 27 Jun, 2026 : 27 June 2026 - Great Knoutberry and Wold Fell
- Sat 4 Jul, 2026 : 04 July 2026 - Ribblehead Circular via Dentdale
- Sat 11 Jul, 2026 : 11 July 2026 - Cross Fell: 150th Anniversary Walk - RESERVATION ONLY
- Sat 11 Jul, 2026 : 11 July 2026 - Kirkby Stephen Roam
- Sat 18 Jul, 2026 : 18 July 2026 - Whernside
- Sat 25 Jul, 2026 : 25 July 2026 - Ribble Valley Line: Clitheroe Circular
- Sun 26 Jul, 2026 : 26 July 2026 - Fremington Edge
- Sat 1 Aug, 2026 : 01 August 2026 - Ribblehead to Hawes
- Sat 8 Aug, 2026 : 08 August 2026 - We have High Standards!
- Sat 15 Aug, 2026 : 15 August 2026 - In Search of the Straw Man
- Sun 16 Aug, 2026 : 16 August 2026 - Gunnerside to Muker
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA)
A small group of volunteers is creating an illustrated guide to the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA). To find-out more - or to 'virtually explore' this unique and fascinating area - visit https://scrca.foscl.org.uk/
