RAILSCOT | Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)

Introduction

This line is open. It was built by the Midland Railway. Much of the line crosses bare moorland using tunnels and viaducts and is much visited by steam specials. The line is supported and promoted by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line .

Dates

/ /1866	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Bill for the line presented with support from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Glasgow and South Western Railway and the North British Railway (who did not have a partner other than the North Eastern Railway route to Newcastle Central for taking traffic from the Border Union Railway (North British Railway) (Waverley Route) at Carlisle).
16/07/1866	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Act passed. Running powers over the North Eastern Railway to enter Carlisle Citadel given.
/ /1868	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) An agreement with the London and North Western Railway is reached over use of the Ingleton Branch (London and North Western Railway) and Lancaster and Carlisle Railway by the Midland Railway. The route would involve the North Western Railway. The Midland Railway tries to abandon the Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway). The North British Railway and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway block the abandonment.
/ /1873	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Line planned to be open, but was not due to heavy engineering required.
02/08/1875	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) First goods train.
01/05/1876	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) First passenger train. Midland Railway trains run through Carlisle Citadel, continued north by the North British Railway or Glasgow and South Western Railway.
20/01/1960	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) 5 are killed when the motion of a Britannia locomotive loosens and falls off on the opposite track leading to the derailment of a train at Settle.
/ /1970	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Long Morton, New Biggin, Culgaith, Little Salkeld closed.
/ /1990	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust formed.
31/01/1995	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) A guard killed and 40 injured in an accident at Aisgill.
/ /1997	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust given planning permission to restore Ribblehead station.
14/07/1998	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Loaded coal train details near Dent Head Viaduct.
/06/2000	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Ribblehead station visitor's centre opened.
22/03/2005	Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway) Prince of Wales formally re-opens the restored Kirkby Stephen station building.

Locations along the line

These locations are along the line.

Settle Junction

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See also
North Western Railway

An unidentified Class 31 approaches Settle Junction with a Carlisle to Leeds service around 1983. Taken with a Yashicamat 124G on Kodak Ektachrome ...
Stephen Willetts //1983

Colas 70814 working 6J37 Carlisle New Yard to Chirk (Kronospan) 'The Logs' passing Settle Junction. At first glance this is unremarkable as this train ...
Stephen Willetts 02/12/2021

Empty coal train takes the Settle and Carlisle Line at Settle Junction. ...
Ewan Crawford //

The signal box at Settle Junction, photographed in July 1986. ...
David Panton /07/1986

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Settle

This is a two platform station in the south west of the town of Settle. The main station building is on the southbound platform. The town is also served by the more distant Giggleswick station further to the west.
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66720 'Wascosa' heads 6M31 09:53 Hunslet Tilcon to Arcow Quarry on 8th August 2023, approaching Langcliffe with Settle in the background. ...
Stephen Willetts 08/08/2023

The A1 Steam Trust organised The Pennine Explorer tour. 60163 'Tornado' makes up time as it rushes through Settle in the evening of 22 May 2021. The ...
John McIntyre 22/05/2021

158797 'Jane Tomlinson' southbound at Settle on 140617. I photographed it (her) at Leeds several years ago see image 42302. ...
Bruce McCartney 14/06/2017

Looking back south from a UK Railtours excursion from Kings Cross to Carlisle, passing Settle station on 3rd October 2015. ...
David Bosher 03/10/2015

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Stainforth Sidings

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Southern Railway 4-6-0 No 850 'Lord Nelson' gives a pyrotechnic display at Langcliffe, near Stainforth, with a northbound 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' ...
Stephen Willetts //1980

158907 approaches the site of Stainforth Sidings on 5 March 2019 with a Northern service from Carlisle to Leeds. ...
John McIntyre 05/03/2019

In pouring rain 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton' is working hard passing Stainforth with a northbound Cumbrian Mountain Express around 1984. Taken with a ...
Stephen Willetts //1984

DRS 66424 hauls an engineers train with long rails, working as the 6K05 Carlisle New Yard to Crewe diagram, passing the village of Stainforth on 05 ...
John McIntyre 05/03/2019

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Craven Lime Works

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Arcow Quarry

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66183 heads south light engine on the S&C near to Arcow Quarry in July 2014. The dry grass on the embankment has caught light after a steam hauled ...
John McIntyre 26/07/2014

A pair of Class 158s on a Leeds to Carlisle service pass the then newly constructed siding for Arcow Quarry in January 2016. The view is ...
John McIntyre 23/01/2016

Seen from a passing train on the S&C, GBRF 66728 sits in the sidings at Arcow Quarry on 10 July 2019 as the wagons are loaded. ...
John McIntyre 10/07/2019

The new loading sidings at Arcow Quarry are in an advanced stage of construction on 23 January 2016. This new connection off the Settle and Carlisle ...
John McIntyre 23/01/2016

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Horton Lime Works

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Horton-in-Ribblesdale

This is a two platform station with the main station building on the southbound platforms with a waiting shelter on the northbound platform. Buildings are of the Midland Railway style. The station is approached by a steep station road to the east.
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The 1450 hrs Carlisle to Leeds service arrives at Horton-in-Ribblesdale on 22 May 2021 with 158758 in charge. ...
John McIntyre 23/05/2021

Black Five 44932 approaches Horton-in-Ribblesdale at Crag Hill with the 1Z30 07:34 Manchester Victoria to Carlisle 'Winter Cumbrian Express' on 21st ...
Stephen Willetts 21/01/2023

Horton-in-Ribblesdale station, Settle & Carlisle Line, being passed by UK Railtours excursion from London Kings Cross to Carlisle, looking back south, ...
David Bosher /03/

After watching 34046 'Braunton' in pouring rain 77431, three days later the weather was much better for a day in the Dales. At ...
G W Robin 13/07/2021

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Ribblehead

This is a two platform station with staggered platforms. The original building remains on the up platform, in use as a visitor's centre and museum.
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The 2020 'Staycation Express' services ran over the Settle and Carlisle with classic traction and 47712, seen on the rear of a southbound service at ...
Mark Bartlett 12/09/2020

158855 leaves the staggered northbound platform at Ribblehead with a Leeds to Carlisle service on 12th September 2020. ...
Mark Bartlett 12/09/2020

GBRf 60087 heads 6F69 Ribblehead Virtual Quarry - Tuebrook crawling out of the siding at Ribblehead on 8th August 2023. It runs to Blea Moor before ...
Stephen Willetts 08/08/2023

Northern 156443 is seen departing from Ribblehead, with a Dales Rail service to Preston, on 10 August 2008. ...
John McIntyre 10/08/2008

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Ribblehead Viaduct

This was built as a double track 24 arch viaduct. It is 400 yds long and has a maximum height of 104 ft. It crosses Batty Moss and is also known as the Batty Moss Viaduct. Engineer John Sydney Crossley.
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The southbound Cumbrian Mountain Express, on 22 May 2021, crosses Ribblehead Viaduct with Merchant Navy 35018 'British India Line' on the Carlisle to ...
John McIntyre 22/05/2021

Ribblehead viaduct sunset Jan 2021. ...
Network Rail /01/2021

Man with a mission: Ribblehead viaduct with a Network Rail employee in the foreground. The viaduct has been repaired in time for the summer season, ...
Network Rail /04/2021

Ribblehead viaduct from valley floor in the snow - Feb 2021. ...
Network Rail /02/2021

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Blea Moor Signal Box

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Blea Moor signalbox, looking south towards Ribblehead Viaduct, from a northbound train in 1986..
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Bill Roberton //1986

The cottage at Blea Moor, next to the signal box, in 2006. It was put up for sale in 2022 but has no mains utilities and vehicular access is by ...
Ewan Crawford 15/09/2006

UK Railtours' excursion passing Blea Moor signal box on the Settle & Carlisle Line, on 3rd October 2015. ...
David Bosher 03/10/2015

The starter signal from the up loop at Blea Moor in April 2015. [Ref query 5343] ...
Bill Jamieson 23/04/2015

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Blea Moor Tunnel

This is a double track tunnel 1 mile 869 yards long.
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A tip of material extracted during construction of Blea Moor Tunnel can be found on the west side of the line at the north portal. The tip sidings ran ...
Ewan Crawford 30/03/2008

View north from above Blea Moor Tunnel showing one of the tunnel vents and Dent Head Viaduct beyond. The metal structure on the left is the original ...
Ewan Crawford 30/03/2008

This view looks south from above Blea Moor Tunnel showing one of the tunnel vents in the near distance and the line emerging beyond. A southbound coal ...
Ewan Crawford 30/03/2008

View looks south to the north Portal of the Dent Head Tunnel. ...
Ewan Crawford 10/07/2006

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Dent Head Viaduct

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Snow was causing great disruption to the Midlands on 27th December 2017 but not to the highest mainline in England. A Carlisle to Leeds train crosses ...
Mark Bartlett 27/12/2017

The imposing Dent Head viaduct carries the Settle and Carlisle line over the small beck that becomes the River Dee. This picture looks north and the ...
Mark Bartlett 31/01/2009

A northbound freight runs onto Dent Head Viaduct in the early 1960s. ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //

Northbound over Dent Head Viaduct on 9 July 1961. The train is the R.C.T.S. (West Riding Branch) 'Borders Rail Tour' behind 46247 City of ...
K A Gray 09/07/1961

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Artengill Viaduct

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Situated on the east side of Dentdale, mid way between Dent Station and Dent Head Viaduct, this is Arten Gill Viaduct, nicely lit by the winter sun on ...
Mark Bartlett 27/12/2017

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Dent

This is is the highest mainline station in England at a height of 1150 feet above sea level. It is a two platform station. The station building, now a private house, stands on the northbound platform. A waiting shelter, open to passengers, is on the southbound platform. The village of Dent is two miles away to the west by road.
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Dent station, the highest in England, seen from passing UK Railtours' excursion to Carlisle on 3rd October 2015. ...
David Bosher 03/10/2015

A Leeds - Carlisle train arrives at Dent in November 2004, with station platforms and buildings looking immaculate. ...
John Furnevel 01/11/2004

Empty coal wagons being taken north past Dent. ...
Ewan Crawford //

92220 Evening Star in the cutting just north of Dent station heading towards Rise Hill Tunnel while working the Bishop Treacy memorial ...
Bill Jamieson 30/09/1978

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Rise Hill Tunnel

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Flying Scotsman northbound near Rise Hill Tunnel on the Settle & Carlisle line on 30 September 1978 with The Lord Bishop. The special ...
Ian Dinmore 30/09/1978

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Hawes Watertroughs

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Garsdale

This is a two platform station. Midland Railway style buildings remain on the platforms and there is a fine signal box.
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See also
Hawes Branch (Midland Railway)

Welcome to Garsdale Station. Trains to Settle and Beyond. ...
Ian Dinmore 22/09/2016

Freightliner train in the sunset north of Garsdale. ...
Beth Crawford //2005

A Grade II listed signal box on one of the countryâ€™s most picturesque rail routes has been refurbished to improve future journeys for ...
Network Rail /12/2021

30 April 1983 and West Country Pacific 34092 'City of Wells' has arrived at Garsdale after an exhilarating climb of the 'Long Drag' from Settle ...
Colin Kirkwood 30/04/1983

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Dandrymire Viaduct

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Moorcock Tunnel

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Gresley A4 Pacific no 60009 Union of South Africa takes a special north towards Ais Gill circa 1984, photographed shortly after leaving ...
Colin Alexander //1984

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Lunds Viaduct

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158758 heads 1E65, 13:36 Carlisle to Leeds on 8th August 2023, at Lunds viaduct and is about to enter Moorcock tunnel. Just beyond the footbridge in ...
Stephen Willetts 08/08/2023

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Shotlock Tunnel

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Ais Gill Summit

This summit has an altitude of 1167 ft. The box formerly located here can now be found at Butterley.
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Black Five 44932 heads the returning 'Dalesman' excursion, Carlisle to Lancaster via Hellifield, at Ais Gill summit on 8th August 2023. 44932 was ...
Stephen Willetts 08/08/2023

Angerholme, Mallerstang, near Ais Gill Summit, 35018 'British India Line' heads the London to Settle & Carlisle Railway Tour on 9th April 2022. The ...
Stephen Willetts 09/04/2022

One mile north of the famous Ais Gill Summit, this less well known viaduct crosses the actual Ais Gill beck. 158784, on a Northern service from ...
Mark Bartlett 01/02/2016

Saturday 30th September 1978 had been a bright, if not sunny day, although by the time Merchant Navy Pacific 35028 Clan Line approached Ais ...
Bill Jamieson 30/09/1978

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Birkett Tunnel

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46115 'Scots Guardsman' heads 1A87 14:23 Carlisle to Euston 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' at Birkett Common on 28th January 2023. ...
Stephen Willetts 28/01/2023

34067 'Tangmere' heads the Northern Belle 1Z87, 14:19 Carlisle to Telford Central, on 23rd April 2022. It is approaching Birkett tunnel on a very ...
Stephen Willetts 23/04/2022

With a feather of steam from the safety valves, No. 46229 Duchess of Hamilton is clearly well on top of the job as it approaches the north end ...
Ingrid Jamieson 11/02/1984

Northbound sprinter approaching Birkett Tunnel just south of Kirkby Stephen in September 2008. ...
Ewan Crawford 02/09/2008

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Kirkby Stephen

This two platform station is open. The station building h was restored and re-opening in 2005. It is topped with a weather station, 870ft above sea level.
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66519 has the power on for the climb ahead working a Hunterston to Ferrybridge imported coal train through Kirkby Stephen in July 2005. ...
Roger Geach 12/07/2005

156479 is seen departing from Kirkby Stephen, on a lovely sunny evening, with a Carlisle to Leeds Northern Spirit service in July 2000. ...
Roger Geach 12/07/

Scotrail liveried 47712 brings up the rear of a 'North Pennine Staycation Express' from Appleby to Skipton as it climbs past Kirkby Stephen signal ...
Mark Bartlett 13/08/2020

DB 66083 lifts a long rake of empty box wagons through Kirkby Stephen on the climb to Ais Gill Summit on 13th August 2020. The train was working from ...
Mark Bartlett 13/08/2020

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Crosby Garrett Tunnel

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Crosby Garrett

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Griseburn Viaduct

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Helm Tunnel

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Ormside

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The Class 40 prototype D200 (40122) seen heading south at Ormside during that period in the 1980s when it was reinstated to main line service for ...
Mark Bartlett 15/09/1984

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Appleby

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46115 'Scots Guardsman' powers along with 1Z87 Carlisle - Euston 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' on the approach to Appleby at Keld. ...
Stephen Willetts 11/02/2023

22 November 1980, and A4 No 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' has stopped at Appleby while heading the Cumbrian Mountain Express from Carlisle to Hellifield. ...
Colin Kirkwood 22/11/1980

Stanier 2-8-0 48151 on a Cumbrian Mountain Express at Appleby getting the right of way in the early 90s. Thirty years on the 8F is still regularly ...
Gordon Steel //1991

After the briefest of water stops at Appleby 46115 'Scots Guardsman' accelerates away with 1Z87 14:23 Carlisle - Euston 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' in ...
Stephen Willetts 11/02/2023

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Appleby North Junction

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See also
Eden Valley Railway

Appleby North Junction. The line to the right of the box latterly gave access to Appleby East and these sidings are still used for stabling charter ...
Bill Roberton //1986

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Long Marton Viaduct

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A Black 5 takes a train over Long Marton viaduct on the Settle and Carlisle Line just north of Appleby in the 1960s. ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //

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Long Marton

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Long Marton station, just north of Appleby, survived until the Settle and Carlisle local stations closed in 1970 but was not one of those that later ...
Mark Bartlett 15/08/2010

The Lord Bishop commemorative tour of 30th September 1978 from London Euston to Appleby, where a memorial service was held for the late Rt Rev ...
Bill Jamieson 30/09/1978

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Kirkby Thorpe Gypsum Works

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New Biggin

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The closed station at New Biggin viewed from a southbound train, diverted from the WCML. ...
Ewan Crawford 25/03/1989

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New Biggin Viaduct

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Culgaith

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4472 'Flying Scotsman' heads a Southbound 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' in the early 1980s, passing the River Eden between Langwathby and Culgaith with ...
Gordon Steel //1980

Stanier 4-6-2 46203 Princess Margaret Rose passing the former station at Culgaith in the early 90's ...
Gordon Steel //

The signal box and level crossing at Culgaith on the Settle and Carlisle Line in May 2006. ...
John Furnevel /05/2006

A3 4472 Flying Scotsman, with a special train over the Settle and Carlisle route, passing Culgaith level crossing in the late 1980s. ...
Gordon Steel //

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Culgaith Tunnel

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Waste Bank Tunnel

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Langwathby

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Bullied Merchant Navy Class 35018 'British India Line' approaches Langwathby with 1Z86 06:54 Euston - Appleby 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' on 13th May ...
Stephen Willetts 13/05/2023

Platform scene at Langwathby on the Settle & Carlisle route on a pleasant May afternoon in 2005. A Northern DMU is approaching from the south with ...
John Furnevel 07/05/2005

Langwathby station. ...
Ewan Crawford //

Sprinter 156480, on a Carlisle - Leeds service, seen at Langwathby on 24th May 1995. ...
Gordon Steel 24/05/1995

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Little Salkeld

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A view south of the former station at Little Salkeld on 19 April 2017. See image 22618 ...
John McIntyre 19/04/2017

Looking north along the former station approach to Little Salkeld on the Settle and Carlisle Line, seen from the main road on 6 May 2006. The station, ...
John Furnevel 06/05/2006

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Lazonby Tunnel

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Lazonby and Kirkoswald

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Lazonby station. ...
Ewan Crawford //

A Carlisle to Leeds train has just departed from Lazonby & Kirkoswald station during the late afternoon of 6 September and is crossing the short ...
John McIntyre 06/09/2014

Handy for the office - old station masters house at Lazonby 2006. ...
John Furnevel 06/05/2006

Goods shed conversion. View across the former goods yard at Lazonby in May 2006, with the site in use by the local bakery company. The station is ...
John Furnevel 06/05/2006

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Baron Wood Tunnel No 1

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Baron Wood Tunnel No 2

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Armathwaite Tunnel

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If I were you I would close that window...! Scene on the Settle & Carlisle on 30 April 1966, with Britannia Pacific no 70035 Rudyard ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 30/04/1966

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Armathwaite

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On 29 June 2021, 46115 accelerates the 'Pendle Dalesman' away from a speed restriction just south of Armathwaite heading for Lancaster on its return ...
Malcolm Chattwood 29/06/2021

The guard gives a cheery wave to disembarking passengers as 158909 prepares to leave Armathwaite with a Carlisle to Leeds service on 29 June 2021. ...
Malcolm Chattwood 29/06/2021

LMS 8F 2-8-0 48151 with the nortbound Fellsman passing through Armathwaite at 1250 hours on Tuesday 25 July 2017.
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Peter Todd 25/07/2017

The extended (!) Armathwaite station in May 2006, looking south from the entrance on Station Road. [Ref query 9282] ...
John Furnevel 06/05/2006

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Low House Crossing

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Low House Crossing SB, approximately 1.5 miles north of Armathwaite on the S&C is seen from a passing train. The box is a block post, with Culgaith 15 ...
John McIntyre 19/04/2017

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Cotehill

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The Fellsman, shortly after leaving Carlisle on the Settle line on 17 June 2015. Photographed approaching Cotehill behind Jubilee 45690 ...
Brian Smith 17/06/2015

A southbound passenger train headed by a Black 5 on the Settle & Carlisle line around 1964/65, possibly the 4.37pm Carlisle - Bradford stopping ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //

Following a two and a half hours sojourn in Carlisle, 44932 and 45231 head The Fellsman back south between Howe & Co's. Siding box and Cotehill ...
Bill Jamieson 07/08/2013

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Howe and Co Siding

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Howe & Co's Siding signal box seen from a passing train in 1986.
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Bill Roberton //1986

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Cumwhinton

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The Cumwhinton station master's house looks very des res in this 2022 view. View looks North West - appropriately. ...
Ken Strachan 16/04/2022

The former Cumwhinton station looking north to Carlisle in 1998. ...
Ewan Crawford //1998

Looking north over the former station at Cumwhinton on 21 January 2017. The rails are rusty at the moment with the closure of the S&C at Eden Brows a ...
John McIntyre 21/01/2017

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Scotby [MR]

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Carlisle Durranhill Goods [MR]

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Carlisle Durranhill Shed

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Northern 156470 with an early afternoon service from Leeds approaching Carlisle on 26 February 2007. The train is passing through Durranhill, once the ...
John Furnevel 26/02/2007

46233 Duchess of Sutherland powers past the site of the former Midland MPD at Durran Hill on 31 January 2015 with the southbound Winter ...
Ken Browne 31/01/2015

45562 Alberta passing Durranhill Junction box in October 1967 with the 1Z45 Jubilee Railway Society South Yorkshireman No 7 railtour. ...
K A Gray 07/10/1967

A Northern DMU passing the site of Durranhill shed (left) on the Midland route out of Carlisle in February 2007. In the background is the remains of ...
John Furnevel 26/02/2007

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Petteril Bridge Junction

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See also
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway

100 tonne service crane building 800 tonne main crane during Carlisle recovery. ...
Network Rail 10/11/2022

Wreckage of cement wagons at the site of the Petteril Bridge Junction derailment seen three days after the 19th October 2022 incident. An overturned ...
Duncan Ross 22/10/2022

One of the cement tankers, damaged in the Petteril Bridge Junction derailment, having its load pumped out on 28th October 2022. Whether this vehicle ...
Duncan Ross 28/10/2022