The Settle and Carlisle Line is one of the most scenic railway lines in Britain. At 73 miles long it runs through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, through the counties of North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Built by the Midland Railway, It opened in 1875 for freight (and 1876 for passengers) so is celebrating its 150th annivesary – and it was about time I went for a ride and made a proper documentary about the line.
The Station Inn has a live webcam of the Ribblehead Viaduct, here: https://www.thestationinnribblehead.com/webcam/
Also, my huge thanks to Les who was brilliant! He has his own Youtube channel here, and makes railway videos based around Carlisle: https://www.youtube.com/@UCK9n4O_k7yyytnebtYX0uTQ
The Friends of Settle and Carlisle are here: https://www.foscl.org.uk/
The Settle and Carlisle Development Company are here: https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/
You can also join Memberships on this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd18OhMfRmjMjzSHP7Zrzmw/join
48 Comments
Note! It actually took two days worth of filming to get out at all the stations and see them properly. If anyone wants to try the “doubling back” timetable challenge on paper to see if it IS possible to do them all in one day … then let me know!
a number of years back I was staying in Carlisle, when I got the train down west coast to Lancaster, from there across to Giggleswick and a walk to Settle and then back to Carlisle. One of the best triangle journeys I have ever made on three very scenic routes
Interestingly, my high school Barden In Burnley owned Dent station in the seventies, I’ve stayed there twice in 1975/76 and loved it.
We did it all up
Geoff, as a Scot I thought we had all the best railway lines in Britain, looks like a visit across the border is in the offing
This is one for my saved folder ! That was wonderful Geoff, thank you. It's just so wonderful that this line was saved, well done to all of those that campaigned for it.
Dent station is 181 miles from Susie Dent
One of your best videos Geoff. Awesome!
Our greatest delight was taking the steam train trip on the Settle to Carlisle line.
What a treat ! One of your best Thank you ❤
Perhaps John printed timetable himself – sounds like he’s a resourceful sort of guy to be helpful 😊😊
22:16 what lovely peaceful sounds munching sheep and then a curlew. Thank you for an informative trip. Hope I get to do it one day 😊
Railways are vital in so many ways. Visiting from Canada I travelled this amazingly scenic line this summer with my wife and it is truly spectacular. It would have been a tragic loss if closed. I hope all those who campaigned for its retention (thank you) feel that their efforts have been vindicated.
My second post: travelling on this line is about so much more than just getting to a destination, it feels like a special experience. The passengers on the trip I took were very engaged by the views.
Must have been planned by Ryonair
A wonderful put together and well made film. With lots of useful information for any one thinking of taking a trip. Excellent!
I love both how flat the UK is, and how level the railway system is. On my local railway has a station at 1222 m, which equates to 4009 feet. It starts and stops at what is basically sea level.
Great video, thanks. Especially Karen. I did it once on a steam special, but not as engaged as you were.
Great video! I always enjoy trip on the S&C although it's usually on a steam excursion. I'd love to one day visit and tick off some of the smaller stations.
Thank you from New Zealand I so would have enjoyed that trip we done for sharing
Thank you for this video, which was just wonderfully done and which makes me really want to take the train on this route. Wow! Very well done.
The UK is full of gems, and this is one of the best. It’s astonishing mix of commercial railway and heritage empowered by volunteers. Where else in the world could this partnership exist?
Fantastic line 😮😊
Thanks to everyone who helped to save this line and those we still do today
Thank you all😊😮😊
Thanks for this video, Geoff. I lived in London for a year (in 2022). Took the very early morning train from Kings Cross to Leeds and then to Settle. Spent a great day at Settle with the signal box and walking around the village. Took the next train to Carlisle, as I had to back in London the next day. Unfortunately, I dozed off and completely missed the Ribblehead and most of the line. Hope to come back to visit the line with better planning.
How do you get the all day rover ticket?
Hi Geoff brilliant video.i have done work on Ribblehead viaduct back in 1988 with my dad and his old work mate.
finally ticked it off the bucket list week
Spent the night in Blea Moor Signal box in June 1976, talking to the signalman. Watching the sun come up over Whernside at 3am was magical. Lovely video Geoff.
Marvellous
As per the Midland Hotel question: that actually sounds interesting and intriguing enough for a follow-up video! 😀
I Live in Canada and my grandfather was from England. I love the views of the railroad. Someday my wife and I will visit. thankyou. I wish we had train service like that in Ontario / Canada . We would be much better off. great videos thank you.
I regret that I was unable to squeeze in a ride on the Settle-Carlisle line on my spring trip to England and Scotland. The logistics would not work with the other variables of that trip. So I just now got to enjoy the journey vicariously.
even got a curlew in at the end there
I was one of the objectors. My objection was pretty poor but hey it clogged up the system! One person who must take some credit is Michael Portillo. He was the one who kept the line open! The government at the time wasn’t pro rail! There was little evidence to suggest he wasn’t different to the others. Little did we know he was a secret rail enthusiast!
Brilliant and suprisingly emotional
Beautifully shot and really informative. Seeing jericho . I remember a tv drama called that about the making of the viaduct in 2016.
Love all the beautiful signage. Such a shame a lot of these railways were closed especially after all the lives lost in construction.
Our local railway had lovely railings going alongside the track and stiles where you could cross. Used to love seeing the trains going past. Now a cycle track.
Must go visit carlisle to settle railway
Carlisle to Leeds is one of my most used routes. Fun day using this line
Great video Geoff thank you. The last time I rode the line it was on a charter Pullman one February… before that I’ve done steam trips in the 80’s and 90’s. Need to do it again…. And must visit the Ribblehead Inn.
Let's give a shout out to Michael Portillo. He helped keep it open.
Excellent, so wonderful the line is. Presented so well. Thank you
Try the Epping Ongar Railway!! It runs through equally beautiful scenery, but much closer to London and Hertfordshire!!
Thanks for this video. This looks incredible!! I am so going to do this trip! It has absolutely everything I could possibly ask for in a train journey. 😀
England's most scenic – yes, but you must be more careful with your comparisons because that's the kind of thing that puts the backs up of the Welsh, the Scottish, etc. and especially with a London accent, because believe me – they spot it right away, even north from the Midlands !!
Watching from Australia. My mum and her brother, my uncle grew up in Armwithaite, in the 1940's .( Eden river) Never been There. Love the story of the Settle and Carlisle.
The Settle-Carlisle line was a favourite when I had to visit our Leeds office with a previous employer in Glasgow. I could have taken the quicker route home, but I always chose the Leeds-Carlisle route, and the Ribblehead Viaduct across Batty Moss was just the icing on the cake. My favourite route, well, for me, it's the West Highland Line (but only just by the narrowest of a cats whisker). However, I do have a model railway (loosely) based on Dent Station because I love the location.
I wish!
Haven't had much luck with this line. My first attempt, the last direct train from Leeds was cancelled. Second and third times, one June one July, it rained heavily both occasions and I could hardly see anything.
My current favourite scenic line is Inverness to Kyle. Done that many times and the weather has always been fine.
Wonderful!
The less used railway line from Carlisle to Kilmarnock and Glasgow is another wonderful journey. It wins few accolades but it passes through stunning countryside and many lovely spots. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a campaign group.