Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line

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. 

Signage at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station with Pen-y-ghent beyond.

Stay at a Station

Stay at a Station

Virtual Visit

Virtual Visit

Membership

Membership

Guided Walks

Guided Walks

News Items

Derelict barn

RIBBLEHEAD: Footsteps in Time

Discover Thorns with the Footsteps in  Time team . The first of our new seasons events is on the 23rd April starting from Ribblehead visitor centre at the station. 

The 6 mile walk will leave the station yard at approximately 1130. Please read our important information so that you are able to safely join us.

This now abandoned village was in a thriving location and a regular stop for the drovers  , who were also skilled veterinarians, as they made their way from north to south with livestock, goods and news. 

 

FIT team at Hellifield

Footsteps in Time

The Footsteps in Time team at Hellifield Shed 24H for their AGM

The Footsteps in time team have two new features during the 2025 seasons events.

Limestone Botany when we welcome a Leeds based botanical artist, Selina Thorp,   to accompany us in identifying the wild flowers of ingleborough quarry and Gauber pasture.

Older news items can be viewed via the 'News' page. The FoSCL 'News' feed is also available via RSS. RSS Feed Symbol

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:

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/

A montage of seven photographs taken within the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA).