View source for Settle–Carlisle line

{{Short description|Railway line in northern England}}
{{redirect|S&C|text=For other uses, see [[S&C Subdivision]], and [[S&C coach]]}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox rail line
 | box_width   = auto
 | name        = Settle–Carlisle line
 | color       =
 | logo        =
 | logo_width  =
 | image       = 777 SIR LAMIEL runs off Batty Moss Viaduct.jpg
 | image_width = 300px
 | caption     = [[SR N15 class 777 Sir Lamiel|Steam locomotive ''Sir Lamiel'']]<br>on the [[Ribblehead Viaduct]] in 1982
 | type        = Main line 
 | system      = [[National Rail]]
 | status      = Operational
 | locale      = [[North West England]]<br>[[Yorkshire and the Humber]]
 | start       = [[Settle railway station|Settle]]<br>{{coord|54.0669|-2.2807|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=inline|name=Settle station}}
 | end         = [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]]<br>{{coord|54.8911|-2.9335|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=inline|name=Carlisle station}}
 | stations    = 19
 | routes      = 
 | daily_ridership = 
 | open        = 1875 (goods) and 1876 (passengers)
 | close       =
 | owner       = [[Network Rail]]
 | operator    = [[Northern Trains]]
 | character   = 
 | depot       = [[Neville Hill TMD|Neville Hill]], Leeds
 | stock       = Primarily [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158]]
 | linelength  = {{convert|71.75|mi|km|2|abbr=on}}
 | tracklength = 
 | tracks      = Double (except Ribblehead Viaduct)
 | gauge       = [[Standard gauge]] {{RailGauge|uksg}}
 | old_gauge   =
 | minradius   =
 | racksystem  =
 | electrification = No
 | speed       = {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on}}
 | elevation   = Ais Gill ({{convert|1169|ft|m}})
 | map         = [[File:Settle–Carlisle line.png|300px]]<br>([[:commons:File:Settle–Carlisle line.png|Click to expand]])
 | map_state   = uncollapsed
 | website     = 
}}
{{Settle–Carlisle Line}}

The '''Settle–Carlisle line''' (also known as the ''Settle and Carlisle'' (S&C)) is a {{convert|73|mi|km|-long|adj=mid}} main railway line in northern England. The route, which crosses the remote, scenic regions of the [[Yorkshire Dales]] and the [[North Pennines]], runs between [[Settle Junction railway station|Settle Junction]], on the [[Leeds–Morecambe line]], and {{rws|Carlisle}}, near the [[English-Scottish border]]s. The historic line was constructed in the 1870s and has several notable tunnels and viaducts such as the imposing [[Ribblehead Viaduct|Ribblehead]].

The line is managed by [[Network Rail]]. All passenger services are operated by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] apart from temporary diverted services (due to closures of the [[West Coast Main Line]]) and are part of the [[National Rail]] network. Stations serve towns such as [[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]] in North Yorkshire, [[Appleby-in-Westmorland]] in Cumbria and small rural communities along its route.

In the 1980s, [[British Rail]] planned to close the Settle–Carlisle line. This prompted a campaign to save the line by rail groups, enthusiasts, local authorities and residents along the route. In 1989, the UK government announced the line would be saved from closure. Since then, passenger numbers have grown steadily to 1.2 million in 2012. Eight formerly closed stations have been reopened and several quarries have been reconnected to the line. It remains one of the most popular railway routes in the UK for [[Railtour|charter trains]] and specials. After damage by a landslip, part of the line was closed from February 2016 to March 2017. To celebrate the reopening, the first regular mainline scheduled service in England for nearly half a century ran with a [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado|steam engine]].

== History ==

===Background===
The Settle–Carlisle line (S&C) had its origins in railway politics; the expansion-minded [[Midland Railway]] company was locked in dispute with the rival [[London and North Western Railway]] (LNWR) over access rights to the latter's tracks to Scotland.

The Midland's access to Scotland was via the [["Little" North Western Railway|"Little North Western" route]] to [[Ingleton, North Yorkshire|Ingleton]]. The [[Ingleton branch line]] from Ingleton to [[List of closed railway stations in Britain: K-L|Low Gill]], where it joined the [[Lancaster and Carlisle Railway]], was under the control of the rival LNWR. Initially the routes, although physically connected at Ingleton, were not logically connected, as the LNWR and Midland could not agree on sharing the use of [[Ingleton (Midland) railway station|Ingleton station]]. Instead the LNWR terminated its trains at [[Ingleton (L&NW) railway station|its own station]] at the end of Ingleton Viaduct, and Midland Railway passengers had to walk about a mile over steep gradients between the two stations in order to change into/from LNWR trains.<ref name="forgottenrelics">{{cite web |url=http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/ingleton.html |title=Ingleton Viaduct on |publisher=Forgottenrelics.co.uk |date=30 January 1954 |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305122430/http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/ingleton.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

An agreement was reached over station access, enabling the Midland to attach through carriages to LNWR trains at Ingleton. Passengers could continue their journey north without leaving the train. The situation was not ideal, as the LNWR handled the through carriages of its rival with deliberate obstructiveness, for example attaching the coaches to slow goods trains instead of fast passenger workings.<ref name="settlecarlisledotcocotuk">{{cite web |url=http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/history/index.cfm |title=History of the S&C on |publisher=Settle-carlisle.co.uk |access-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216064624/http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/history/index.cfm |archive-date=16 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>Houghton, F.W & Foster W.H (1965 Second Ed) ''The Story Of The Settle - Carlisle Line'', Advertiser Press Ltd, Huddersfield, p.16</ref>

[[File:Lowgill Viaduct.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Lowgill Viaduct, built on a slight curve]]The route through Ingleton is closed, but the major structures, Low Gill and Ingleton viaducts, remain. It was a well-engineered line suitable for express passenger running, but its potential was never realised due to the rivalry between the companies. The Midland board decided that the only solution was a separate route to Scotland. Surveying began in 1865, and in June 1866, approval was given to the Midland's bill, for which [[Samuel Carter (Coventry MP)|Samuel Carter]] was solicitor, and the '''{{visible anchor|Midland Railway (Settle to Carlisle) Act 1866}}''' ([[29 & 30 Vict.]] c. ccxxiii) became law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uudb.org/articles/samuelcarter.html|title=Samuel Carter|website=Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320171112/http://uudb.org/articles/samuelcarter.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Soon afterwards, the [[Overend, Gurney and Company|Overend-Gurney]] banking failure sparked a financial crisis in the UK. Interest rates rose sharply, several railways went bankrupt and the Midland's board, prompted by a shareholders' revolt, began to have second thoughts about a venture whose estimated cost was £2.3&nbsp;million (equivalent to £{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|2300000|1866|{{inflation-year|UK}}|r=-7}}}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} As a result, in April 1869, with no work started, the company petitioned Parliament to abandon the scheme it had earlier fought for. However Parliament, under pressure from other railways which would benefit from the scheme that would cost them nothing, refused, and construction commenced in November that year.

=== Construction ===
The line was built by over 6,000 [[navvy|navvies]],<ref name=":1">{{cite book|last1=Wolmar|first1=Christian|title=Fire and Steam|date=2008|publisher=Atlantic Books|isbn=978-1-84354-630-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/firesteamhowrail0000wolm/page/161 161]|url=https://archive.org/details/firesteamhowrail0000wolm/page/161}}</ref> most of them Irish, who worked in remote locations, enduring harsh weather conditions. Large camps were established to house the navvies, with many becoming complete townships with post offices and schools. They were named Inkerman, Sebastapol and Jericho. The remains of one camp – Batty Green – where over 2,000 navvies lived and worked, can be seen near Ribblehead. Scripture readers helped to counteract the effect of drunken violence in these isolated communities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coleman |first1=Terry |title=The railway navvies: a history of the men who made the railways |date=2000 |publisher=Pimlico |location=London |isbn=0712667075 |page=223}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Burton |first1=Anthony |title=The railway builders; how Britain's railway network evolved |date=2016 |publisher=Pen & Sword Transport |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781473843707 |page=138 |edition=2}}</ref>

A plaque in [[St Leonard's Church, Chapel-le-Dale]], records the workers who died, both from disease and from accidents, while building the railway. The death toll is unknown, but 80 people died at Batty Green alone in a [[smallpox]] epidemic.<ref name=":1"/>

A memorial stone was laid in 1997 in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, [[Mallerstang]] to commemorate the 25 railway builders and their families who died during the construction of this section of the line, and who were buried there in unmarked graves.

The engineer for the project was John Crossley from [[Leicestershire]], a veteran of other Midland schemes. The terrain traversed is among the bleakest and wildest in England, and construction was halted for months at a time due to frozen ground, snowdrifts and flooding. One contractor had to give up as a result of underestimating the terrain and the weather – Dent Head has almost four times the rainfall of London. Another long-established partnership dissolved under the strain: that of William Eckersley and John Bayliss (1826-1900), Bayliss continued the project until its completion in 1877. They were contracted to construct the {{convert|23|mi|km|abbr=on}} section from [[Kirkby Thore]] to [[River Petteril|Petteril]] Bridge in Carlisle.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Davies|first1=Peter|title=Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line|url=http://www.foscl.org.uk/sites/foscl.org.uk/files/attachments/P-Davis_National-Achives_Research_Combined_0.pdf|website=FOSCL|publisher=National Archives|access-date=20 November 2015 |page=9 }}</ref>

The line was engineered to express standards throughout – local traffic was secondary, and many stations were miles from the villages they purported to serve. The railway's summit at {{convert|1169|ft|m|0}} is at [[Aisgill]], north of [[Garsdale]]. To keep the gradients to less than 1 in 100 (1%), a requirement for fast running using steam traction, huge engineering works were required. Even so, the terrain imposed a {{convert|16|mi|km|0|adj=on}} climb from Settle to Blea Moor, almost all of it at 1 in 100, and known to enginemen as "the long drag".

The line required 14 tunnels and 22 [[viaduct]]s; the most notable is the 24-arch [[Ribblehead Viaduct]] which is {{convert|104|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} high and {{convert|440|yd|m|0}} long. The swampy ground meant that the piers had to be sunk {{convert|25|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} below the peat and set in concrete in order to provide a suitable foundation. Soon after crossing the viaduct, the line enters Blea Moor tunnel, {{convert|2629|yd|m|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|500|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} below the moor, before emerging onto [[Dent Head Viaduct]]. The summit at [[Aisgill]] is the highest point reached by main-line trains in England. The tunnel at [[Lazonby]] was constructed at the request of a local vicar as he did not want the railway to run past the vicarage.<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|p=10}}</ref>

[[File:Dent Head Viaduct.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The ''[[LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman|Flying Scotsman]]'' crosses Dent Head Viaduct, August 2021]]

[[Water trough]]s were laid between the tracks at Garsdale, enabling steam engines to take water without stopping.

The remains of the navvies' camp at [[Rise Hill Tunnel]] were investigated by [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[Time Team]]'' in 2008, for a programme that was broadcast on 1 February 2009.

=== Operation ===
The line opened for goods traffic in August 1875 with the first passenger trains starting in April 1876. The cost of the line was £3.6&nbsp;million (equivalent to £{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|3600000|1876|{{inflation-year|UK}}|r=-7}}}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}){{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} – 50 per cent above the estimate and a colossal sum for the time.

For some time the Midland dominated the market for London-Glasgow traffic, providing more daytime trains than its rival. In 1923 the Midland and the LNWR were both merged into the new [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]. In the new company, the disadvantages of the Midland's route were clear – its steeper gradients and greater length meant it could not compete on speed from London to Glasgow, especially as Midland route trains had to make more stops to serve major cities in the Midlands and Yorkshire. The Midland had long competed on the extra comfort it provided for its passengers but this advantage was lost in the merged company.

After nationalisation in 1948, the pace of rundown quickened. It was regarded as a duplicate line, and control over the through London-Glasgow route was split over several regions which made it hard to plan popular through services. Mining subsidence affected speeds through the East Midlands and Yorkshire. In 1962, the [[Thames–Clyde Express]] travelling via the S&C took almost nine hours from London to Glasgow – over the West Coast Main Line the journey length was 7 hours 20 minutes.

In 1963, the [[Beeching cuts#The Reshaping of British Railways (Beeching I)|Beeching Report]] into the restructuring of [[British Railways|British Rail]] recommended the withdrawal of all passenger services from the line. Some smaller stations had closed in the 1950s. Although the Beeching recommendations were shelved, it is clear that closure of the line was planned as early as the late 1960s. Such closure is referred to in paragraph 40 of the official report into the accident involving two goods trains between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Selside on 30 October 1968, by Lt. Colonel I.K.A. McNaughton: <blockquote>"... Even if the Settle and Carlisle line were planned to form part of the long term railway network of the country, it would still come fairly low in the priority list for installation of AWS; this route, however, is planned for closure within the next few years ..."</blockquote> In May 1970 all stations except for Settle and Appleby West were closed, and its passenger service cut to two trains a day in each direction, leaving mostly freight.

Few express passenger services continued to operate, [[Waverley (passenger train)|The Waverley]] from [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] via [[Nottingham station|Nottingham]] ended in 1968, while the [[Thames–Clyde Express]] from London to [[Glasgow Central station|Glasgow Central]] via [[Leicester railway station|Leicester]], lasted until 1975. Night sleepers from London to Glasgow continued until 1976. After that a residual service from Glasgow – cut back at Nottingham (three trains each way) – survived until May 1982.

=== Threat of closure ===
During the 1970s, the S&C suffered from a lack of investment, and most freight traffic was diverted onto the electrified [[West Coast Main Line]]. The condition of many viaducts and tunnels deteriorated due to lack of investment. [[DalesRail]] began operating services to closed stations on summer weekends in 1974. These were promoted by the [[Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority]] to encourage ramblers.

In the early 1980s, the S&C was carrying only a handful of trains per day, and British Rail decided the cost of renewing the viaducts and tunnels would be prohibitively expensive, given the small amount of traffic carried on the line. In June 1981 a protest group, the Friends of the Settle–Carlisle Line (FoSCL), held its inaugural meeting at [[Settle Town Hall]] and campaigned against the line's closure even before it was officially announced.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EMBIAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Settle+Town+Hall%22|title=To Kill a Railway|first=Stan|last=Abbott|publisher=Leading Edge Press & Publishing|year=1986|isbn= 978-0948135019|page=54}}</ref>

In 1984, closure notices were posted at the S&C's remaining stations. However, local authorities and rail enthusiasts joined together and campaigned to save the S&C, pointing out that British Rail was ignoring the S&C's potential for [[tourism]], ignoring the need for a diversionary route to the West Coast Main Line, and failing to promote through traffic from the Midlands and Yorkshire to Scotland. 
[[File:1986 Settle and Carlisle railway closure enquiry.jpg|thumb|1986 Transport Users Consultative Committee hearing in Carlisle]]
There was outrage over the closure plan: critics pointed out that this was a main line, not a small branch railway. The campaign uncovered evidence that British Rail had mounted a dirty tricks campaign against the line,<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Settle Carlisle|url=http://www.visitcumbria.com/carlset/carlisle-settle-railway-history/|website=Visit Cumbria|access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref> exaggerating the cost of repairs (£6&nbsp;million for Ribblehead Viaduct alone)<ref>{{cite web|title=Battle to prevent the end of the line|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/tahistory/featuresnostalgiapasttimes/4317034.Battle_to_prevent_the_end_of_the_line/|website=Telegraph and Argus|access-date=12 November 2015|date=24 April 2009}}</ref> and diverting traffic away from the line in order to justify its closure plans, a process referred to as [[closure by stealth]].<ref>Towler, p.74</ref>

Publicity over British Rail's tactics succeeded in a huge increase in traffic. Journeys per year were 93,000 in 1983 when the campaign began, rising to 450,000 by 1989.<ref name=MR-1989>{{cite magazine |editor-first=Ken|editor-last=Cordner|title=Settle-Carlisle line reprieved |magazine=[[Modern Railways]]|date=June 1989|volume=46|number=489|page=322}}</ref> As late as August 1988, the [[British Rail Board]] posted notices stating they had appointed [[Lazard Brothers]] to 'advise on the sale of the Settle–Carlisle line'.<ref>''Rail'' magazine No. 83 page 25, EMAP National Publications Ltd.</ref> On 11 April 1989, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]], [[Paul Channon]], announced that consent for closure of the line and the associated [[Ribble Valley line|Blackburn-Hellifield line]] would be refused.<ref name=MR-1989/> This was on the basis that, firstly, trial repairs to one span of the Ribblehead Viaduct had shown that it would be cheaper to repair the whole structure than had previously been anticipated and, secondly, the increased ridership of the line.<ref name=MR-1989/> British Rail estimated that revenue on the line was 40% higher than in 1988-89.<ref name=MR-1989/> Subsequently, British Rail started to repair the deteriorating tunnels and viaducts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/1999/4/10/164330.html |title=Long Battle to Save Settle – Carlisle Line Ends In Success |work=Telegraph & Argus |date=10 April 1999 |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-date=22 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822221933/http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/1999/4/10/164330.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Statue of Ruswarp ===
[[File:Ruswarp - geograph.org.uk - 1259798.jpg|thumb|Statue of Ruswarp at [[Garsdale railway station]]]]
In 2009, a statue of the [[border collie]] Ruswarp (pronounced Russup) was sited on the platform of the refurbished [[Garsdale railway station]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/articles/2009/04/17/ruswarp_feature.shtml|title=Tribute to devoted dog unveiled|date=17 April 2009|work=BBC Cumbria|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> The commemorative sculpture, funded by public subscription, was made by sculptor [[Joel Walker (sculptor)|Joel Walker]] and cast in [[bronze]]. It celebrates the saving of the railway line which was coordinated by the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line, whose first secretary, Graham Nuttall, was a keen [[Hillwalking|hillwalker]]; his dog Ruswarp signed the petition to save the line with his paw print.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/nelsonnews/Statue-will-honour-hero-dog.3981396.jp|title=Statue will honour hero dog Ruswarp|date=15 April 2008|work=Pendle Today|publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing|access-date=12 August 2009|archive-date=5 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205075336/http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/nelsonnews/Statue-will-honour-hero-dog.3981396.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref>  On 20 January 1990 Graham Nuttall had gone missing. He and Ruswarp had bought day return tickets from Burnley to [[Llandrindod Wells]] to go walking in the Welsh Mountains, but they never returned. Searches in the Elan Valley and [[Rhayader]] found nothing until on 7 April 1990, a lone walker found Nuttall's body beside a stream. The 14-year-old Ruswarp was nearby, having stayed by his master's body for 11 weeks in winter weather; he was so weak that he had to be carried down the mountain. His veterinary fees were paid by the [[RSPCA]], who awarded him their Animal Medallion and collar for 'vigilance' and Animal Plaque for 'intelligence and courage'. He died shortly after Nuttall's funeral.<ref name=":0" />

== Current situation ==

[[File:Settle-Carlisle Line poster 2010-11.jpg|right|thumb|Northern Rail advertisement for the Settle–Carlisle line]]
Anglo-Scottish expresses have not been fully restored. The former regional franchisee [[Arriva Trains Northern]] initiated a twice daily Leeds–Glasgow Central service in 1999 (calling at Settle, Appleby, Carlisle, Lockerbie and Motherwell). The service was withdrawn at the behest of the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] in 2003,<ref>
{{cite web
 | url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/northern/northernrailfranchisestakeho1402
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070811010314/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/northern/northernrailfranchisestakeho1402
 | archive-date=11 August 2007| title = SRA Stakeholder Briefing: Northern Rail Franchise
 | access-date = 8 February 2009
 | quote = ... existing ATN operated Leeds–Carlisle service, extended to Glasgow once a day in each direction, will no longer run between Carlisle and Glasgow from September 2003.
}}</ref> and there remains no link from Yorkshire or the East Midlands to Glasgow over the line. The link from [[Lancashire]] operates on Sundays during the summer months for the benefit of ramblers under the DalesRail brand.<ref>
{{cite web
 | url = http://www.dalesrail.com
 | title = DalesRail
 | access-date = 8 February 2009
}}</ref> In recent years, due to congestion on the West Coast Main Line, much rail-freight traffic is using the S&C once again. [[Gypsum]] is transported from [[Port of Hull|Hull Docks]] and [[Drax Power Station]] to the British Gypsum plasterboard factory at [[Kirkby Thore]],<ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1003097 Rail sidings at Kirkby Thore gypsum plant] Knapman, R ''Geograph.org.uk''; Retrieved 12 November 2018</ref> and coal was carried to power stations in Yorkshire and Fife from the [[Hunterston Terminal|Hunterston coal terminal]] until 2016. Major engineering work was needed to upgrade the line to the standards required for such heavy freight traffic and additional investment made to reduce the length of signal sections.

In July 2009, work to stabilise a length of embankment near Kirkby Thore and remove a long-standing permanent speed restriction was undertaken.<ref>[http://therailwaycutting.blogspot.com/2009/07/kirkby-thore_20.html Article & Photos of track repair work at Kirkby Thore in 2009] ''The Railway Cutting''; July 2009, Retrieved 29 December 2010</ref>

As of 2013, the line has experienced an upturn in fortunes. Eight formerly closed stations have reopened and in 2012 1.2 million passenger journeys were recorded compared with just 90,000 in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-25364686|title=Settle–Carlisle line thriving 30 years on after closure threat|first=Spencer|last=Stokes|work=BBC News|date=15 December 2013}}</ref> [[Ribblehead railway station|Ribblehead station]] features a special visitor centre. The line is an important diversionary route from the electrified [[West Coast Main Line]] during engineering works. However, as the line is not electrified, electric trains such as [[British Rail Class 390|''Pendolinos'']] need to be hauled by diesel locomotives (typically a [[British Rail Class 57#Virgin Trains|Class 57 ''Thunderbird'']]) along the diversion section.
 
In April 2014, the 25th anniversary of the line's reprieve was celebrated by the running of a special train from Leeds to Carlisle over the route.  This conveyed many of the campaigners who fought to save the line and called at Settle station, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the announcement made on 11 April 1989 that the line would be kept open. [[Michael Portillo]], the Minister of State with responsibility for railways in the Thatcher government of the time (and who made the official announcement regarding the line in parliament) attended the celebrations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/11138128.Settle_Carlisle_railway_line_marks_special_anniversary/?ref=var_0 |title=Settle–Carlisle railway line marks special anniversary|work=Craven Herald|date= 10 April 2014|access-date= 11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-26967081 |title=How the iconic Settle–Carlisle railway line was saved|work=BBC News|date= 10 April 2014|access-date= 10 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/11157408.Reliving_the_great_day_when_the_Settle_Carlisle_line_was_saved/?ref=var_0 |title=Reliving the great day when the Settle–Carlisle line was saved|work=Craven Herald|date= 19 April 2014|access-date= 22 April 2014}}</ref>

[[File:45596 Bahamas (46988770322).jpg|right|thumb|[[LMS Jubilee Class 5596 Bahamas|45596 Bahamas]] approaching Long Marton heading south along the Settle and Carlisle Line in 2019.]]
From April 2016, [[Arriva Rail North]] Ltd took over all passenger services on the line from the previous operator which was run by [[Northern Rail|Serco & Abellio]].<ref>[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/northern-and-transpennine-express-franchises-awarded.html ''Northern & Trans-Pennine Franchises awarded''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129071829/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/northern-and-transpennine-express-franchises-awarded.html |date=29 January 2020 }} Railway Gazette article 9 December 2015; Retrieved 9 December 2015</ref> As part of the new franchise agreement with the DfT, service improvements were implemented from the May 2018 timetable change with one extra weekday service each way and two extra trains each way on Sundays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html|title=Northern Franchise Improvements - DfT|access-date=27 July 2020|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724064421/http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Arriva also began work to install digital information screens and ticket machines at each station in early 2019. As from 1 March 2020, passenger services are now operated by the publicly run company [[Northern Trains Limited|Northern Trains]], who have maintained this level of service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/29/northern-rail-franchise-to-be-renationalised |title=Northern rail franchise to be renationalised |work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

In March 2020, it was discovered that the 144-year-old Ribblehead Viaduct required further major repairs. There were numerous defects to the masonry which had opened up, and pieces of debris had fallen off the edge.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Yorkshire Post|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/network-rail-undertake-repairs-ribblehead-viaduct-after-masonry-fell-ground-below-2595775|first=Grace|last=Newton|date=30 April 2020|title=Network Rail to undertake repairs to Ribblehead Viaduct after masonry fell onto the ground below|access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> Alongside issues with the masonry there were fractures to the arches and piers, together with problems with the drainage system. Repair work was completed in April 2021 at a cost of around £2.1 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Major restoration of famous landmark complete |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56680873 |access-date=8 April 2021}}</ref>

The line was blocked once again in October 2022, when the rear half of a northbound Clitheroe to Carlisle Yard freight train derailed as it was leaving the line at Petteril Bridge Junction, on the outskirts of Carlisle on Wednesday 19 October.  Five of the fourteen tank wagons in the consist left the rails, damaging the track, signalling equipment and river bridge.<ref>[https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/recovery-continuing-one-week-on-from-carlisle-train-derailment Complex recovery continuing one week on from Carlisle train derailment]''Network Rail Media Centre'' 27 October 2022, Retrieved 21 November 2022</ref>  The stranded wagons (one of which toppled into the river) were recovered in mid-November using a heavy lift crane, after which the bridge was repaired/reinforced and new track, points and signal cables were installed to replace those damaged in the accident.  The line reopened to traffic on schedule on 7 December 2022.

===Steam excursions and Diesel charter services===
[[File:Double headed 5s, 15 guinea recreation 2013 9493228670.jpg|right|thumb|[[LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 5231|45231]] and [[LMS Stanier Class 5MT 4932|44932]] running south down the S&C in 2013, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the [[Fifteen Guinea Special]]]]
Since the [[privatisation of British Rail]], the Settle and Carlisle line has proved to be popular with charter train operating companies like [[West Coast Railways]], which operate [[excursion train]]s using [[steam locomotive]]s. Classes of LMS locomotive that have run over the line vary from express to mixed traffic, such as [[LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0|Black Five]]s, [[LMS Jubilee Class|Jubilee]]s, [[LMS Coronation Class|Coronation]]s, [[LMS Princess Royal Class|Princess Royal]]s and even goods engines like the [[LMS Stanier Class 8F|8F]]s. Non-LMS engines that would never have worked on the line during the days of steam include [[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468 ''Mallard'']], [[GWR 4073 Class 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe|5043 ''Earl of Mount Edgcumbe'']], [[GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall|5972 ''Olton Hall'']], [[SR Merchant Navy Class 35018 British India Line|35018 ''British India Line'']], [[LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman|60103 ''Flying Scotsman'']] and Britain's newest mainline steam locomotive  [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado|60163 ''Tornado'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/09/settle-to-carlisle-trains-with-steam-locomotive-60163-tornado-and-60103-flying-scotsman-in-2021.html|title=Settle to Carlisle trains with steam locomotive 60163 Tornado and 60103 Flying Scotsman in 2021|last=Holden|first=Michael|website=Rail Advent|date=28 September 2020|accessdate=2 December 2020}}</ref>

Between 19 July and 9 September 2021, Rail Charter Services operated The Staycation Express, with the service running between Skipton, Settle, Appleby and Carlisle. Running four times a day, every day except Friday, this fully refurbished HST 125, features five, all first class coaches and offers travellers an alternative method of enjoying the route. Statesman Rail also run occasional services with restored Class 47 diesels and Pullman coaches.

===Reconnection to quarries===
In July 2015 it was announced that the stone quarries at Arcow and [[Dry Rigg Quarry|Dry Rigg]] would be reconnected to the line via north-facing points. Stone from both of these quarries is in demand for road building due to its high Polished Stone Value (PSV) and would be taken out of the [[Yorkshire Dales National Park]] by freight train instead of lorries.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/13424632.Railway_link_to_main_line_will_cut_lorry_traffic_on_Dales_roads/|title = Railway link to main line will cut lorry traffic on Dales roads|last = White|first = Clive|date = 16 July 2015|work = Craven Herald |access-date = 8 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://pacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.uk/Horton%20in%20Ribblesdale%20C44/101/C_44_101E_ASS.pdf|title = Arcow Quarry Non Technical Summary|access-date = 8 October 2015|publisher = LaFarge Tarmac}}</ref> The work was undertaken during the last quarter of 2015 with the link opening to traffic in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title = Work to reinstate quarry link at Horton-in-Ribblesdale reaches major milestone|url = http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/13891675.Work_to_reinstate_quarry_link_at_Horton_in_Ribblesdale_reaches_major_milestone/?ref=ar|work = Bradford Telegraph and Argus|access-date = 4 November 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.railengineer.uk/connected/ Connected] Railengineer, 5 January 2016</ref> Work is currently (April 2025) under way to reconnect the neighbouring [[Horton Quarry]], via relaid sidings immediately south of {{rws|Horton-in-Ribblesdale}} station, which were last used in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/08/Fact-Sheet-10-Quarrying-.pdf|title=Quarrying: A grey area|date=August 2023|publisher=[[Yorkshire Dales National Park]]}}</ref>

===2015–17 temporary closures===
The winter of 2015–16 saw services over the route repeatedly disrupted by flooding and a serious [[landslip]] north of {{rws|Armathwaite}}.  [[Storm Desmond]] saw the line closed for several days at the beginning of December by flooding at several different locations, while the landslip at Eden Brows near Armathwaite resulted in the closure of the southbound line between Cumwhinton and {{rws|Culgaith}} from 29 January 2016 to allow the damaged [[embankment (transportation)|embankment]] to be inspected and stabilised.  Problems had first been reported in mid-December 2015, but repairs were carried out and services resumed on 22 December.<ref>[http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/good-news-for-northern-rail-customers-after-armathwaite-storm-damage-repaired Good news for Northern Rail customers after Armathwaite storm damage repaired] ''Network Rail Media Centre''; Retrieved 1 February 2016</ref> Single-line working was in place for several days over the northbound line while the remedial work continued and an emergency timetable was in operation.<ref>[http://www.foscl.org.uk/recent-news/track-works-and-delays-north-appleby Track works and delays north of Appleby] ''Friends of the Settle–Carlisle Line'' news article 30 January 2016; Retrieved 1 February 2016</ref>  Further ground movement at the site (due to the base of the embankment being eroded by the river and the saturated nature of the fill material originally used to construct the embankment) led to the complete closure of the line between Appleby & Carlisle on 9 February 2016, with buses replacing trains over this section.<ref>[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/feb/railway-carlisle-appleby-closed-months-landslip/ "Railway between Carlisle and Appleby to be closed for months after major landslip"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215222931/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/feb/railway-carlisle-appleby-closed-months-landslip/ |date=15 February 2016 }} ''Network Rail Media Centre''; Retrieved 15 February 2016</ref> Repairs to the affected section entailed building a 100m-long piled retaining wall and support platform for the track and stabilising the embankment beneath it; work began in July 2016 and was completed in March 2017.<ref>[http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/repair-solution-agreed-for-settle-to-carlisle-railway-land-slip "Repair solution agreed for Settle to Carlisle railway land slip"] ''Network Rail Media Centre'' 3 March 2016; Retrieved 10 March 2016</ref> The line between Appleby and Armathwaite was reopened to traffic on 27 June 2016 on a temporary timetable;<ref name=Rail280616>{{cite web |url=http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2016/06/28/sandc-rail-services-run-to-armathwaite |title=S&C rail services run to Armathwaite |first=Paul |last=Stephen |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media Ltd |location=Peterborough |work=Rail |date=28 June 2016 }}</ref> the repair project was estimated to cost £23&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gbp-23m-landslip-repair-set-to-reopen-settle-carlisle-railway-line-in-march-2017 £23m landslip repair set to reopen Settle–Carlisle railway line in March 2017] ''Network Rail Media Centre'' press release 7 July 2016; Retrieved 7 July 2016</ref> In February 2017, to celebrate the forthcoming reopening of the line on 31 March, scheduled trains drawn by [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado|60163 ''Tornado'']] ran in February, the first regular mainline scheduled service in England using steam for more than half a century.<ref>{{cite news|title=Settle-Carlisle line: Tornado powers 12 scheduled services |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-38957943 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=14 February 2017 |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Pidd |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/14/settle-carlisle-railway-service-steam-train-tornado |title=Full steam ahead as Tornado engine powers Settle-Carlisle train service |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 February 2017 |access-date=15 February 2017 }}</ref> The service carried more than 5,500 passengers during its three days of operation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-39020181|title=First scheduled steam train service used by 5,500 people|date=19 February 2017|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

In March 2017, work on the piled wall and trackbed at Eden Brows was completed and the work site was handed back to Network Rail, allowing the infrastructure operator to recommission and test the track and signalling system over the affected section ahead of the reopening date. On 31 March 2017 LNER Class A3 Pacific [[LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman|No. 60103 ''Flying Scotsman'']] operated a special trip to Carlisle and back to celebrate the full opening to traffic.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/av/39460529/flying-scotsman-marks-settle-to-carlisle-line-reopening |title= Flying Scotsman marks Settle-to-Carlisle line reopening |work= BBC News |date= 31 March 2017 |access-date= 3 July 2018 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170616034834/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/39460529/flying-scotsman-marks-settle-to-carlisle-line-reopening |archive-date= 16 June 2017 }}</ref>

===Rolling stock===
Passenger services are usually operated by [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158]] [[Diesel Multiple Units]]. [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150]] units have also been used occasionally in the past<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://railwayherald.com/imagingcentre/view/222773/IS496526011430664835|title=Class 150 DMU 150112 at Carlisle forming the 1550 to Leeds on 11 February 2012|magazine=Railway Herald | access-date=13 April 2012}}</ref> (as substitutes for the booked 158s) since a batch of the units were transferred to Northern Rail from London Midland in the autumn of 2011.  These are also used on the weekend "Yorkshire Dales Explorer" services from {{rws|Rochdale}} via [[Manchester Victoria]] and {{rws|Blackburn}}, along with [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]] units (this twice-daily service to/from Ribblehead replaced the Sundays-only "DalesRail" service in June 2024). [[British Rail Class 153|Class 153]] single-car units were also used on the line up until 2021, but are no longer in service with the operator.

==Route==
[[File:Ribbleheadstation.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ribblehead railway station|Ribblehead station]]]]
[[File:Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station.jpg|thumb|right|[[Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station|Horton-in-Ribblesdale station]]]]
[[File:Rth Rly Ais Gill Summit 1169 ft 06.08.2017R.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Ais Gill summit notice board in 2017 painted to resemble Midland Railway colours]]

* {{stnlnk|Settle Junction}} – the start of the line. Site of the junction with the [[Leeds to Morecambe Line]] and a short-lived (1876–77) passenger station.
* '''[[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]]'''
** ''Taitlands Tunnel (now called Stainforth Tunnel)''
* '''[[Horton in Ribblesdale]]'''
* '''[[Ribblehead]]''' – here is the ''Ribblehead Viaduct'' (originally named ''Batty Moss Viaduct'') 440 yd (396 m), with 24 piers
**''[[Blea Moor]]'' – here is Blea Moor signal box and loop. Blea Moor signal box is the remotest signal box in England<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Allison|first1=Ian|title=News View|journal=IRSE|date=September 2015|volume=214|page=1|url=http://www.irse.org/knowledge/publicirsenews/Issue%20214%20-%20September%202015.pdf|access-date=17 November 2015}}</ref>
** ''[[Blea Moor Tunnel]]'' 2629 yd (2366 m) long
** here are the ''Dent Head'' & ''[[Arten Gill Viaduct|Arten Gill]]'' viaducts.
* '''[[Dent railway station|Dent]]''' (4.5 miles outside the village of [[Dent (Lonsdale)|Dent]])
** ''Rise Hill Tunnel''
** Dent is the highest railway station in England.
** here was [[Hawes Junction engine shed]]
* '''[[Garsdale]]''' – originally named ''Hawes Junction'' then ''Hawes Junction & Garsdale''.
** At Hawes station, on the Hawes branch to the east of the main line, there was an end-on-junction with the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]] (NER) line across the [[Pennines]] to [[Northallerton]] (now the [[Wensleydale Railway]]).
** here is [[Dandry Mire Viaduct]]
** here were the highest water troughs in the United Kingdom. Steam locomotives were able to pick up water from these troughs whilst still moving.
** On the next stretch, there were three tunnels (''Moorcock Tunnel'', ''Shotlock Hill Tunnel'' and ''Birkett Tunnel'').
** On this stretch also was the summit of the line at Ais Gill, 1169&nbsp;ft (350 m) ASL. From 1954, the summit was marked by a vitreous enamel sign.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=June 1954 |page=434 |editor-first=B.W.C. |editor-last=Cooke |publisher=Tothill Press |location=Westminster |number=638 |volume=100 |title=Notes and News }}</ref>
* '''[[Kirkby Stephen]] -''' There were two stations here, one (Kirkby Stephen West) for the Midland line and [[Kirkby Stephen East railway station|Kirkby Stephen East]] for the NER (the latter's line from [[Darlington]] to [[Tebay]]). The two stations are about half a mile apart. The Midland station also served the village of [[Ravenstonedale]]
* [[Crosby Garrett]] (closed 1952)
* [[Ormside]] (closed 1952)
* '''[[Appleby railway station (Cumbria)|Appleby]]''' – as with Kirkby Stephen, there were separate stations for the Midland (Appleby West) and NE lines ([[Appleby East railway station|Appleby East]]), with a siding connection. The NE line was the branch known as the [[Eden Valley Railway]] between Kirkby Stephen and ''Eden Valley Junction'' on the West Coast Line near [[Clifton, Cumbria|Clifton]]
* [[Long Marton railway station|Long Marton]] (closed 1970)
* [[New Biggin railway station|New Biggin]] (closed 1970)
* [[Culgaith railway station|Culgaith]] (closed 1970)
** there are two tunnels between these stations
* '''[[Langwathby]]'''
* [[Little Salkeld railway station|Little Salkeld]] (closed 1970)
** here is ''Lazonby Tunnel''
* '''[[Lazonby]] and [[Kirkoswald, Cumbria|Kirkoswald]]'''
** there are three more tunnels between these two stations
* '''[[Armathwaite]]'''
* [[Cotehill railway station|Cotehill]] (closed 1952)
* [[Cumwhinton railway station|Cumwhinton]] (closed 1956)
* [[Scotby railway station|Scotby]] (closed 1942 – not the same station as that of the same name on the adjoining [[Tyne Valley line]])
* ''Petterill Bridge Junction'' – junction with the Newcastle – Carlisle line and the end of Midland Railway metals.
* '''[[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]]:''' the station – full title ''Carlisle Citadel'' – was owned jointly by the LNWR and the [[Caledonian Railway]]: the Midland (among others) was a "tenant Company".

== Accidents ==
* 1910 – [[Hawes Junction rail crash]]; 12 killed, 17 injured.
* 1913 – [[1913 Ais Gill rail accident|Ais Gill rail accident (1913)]]; 16 killed, 38 injured.
* 1918 – [[Little Salkeld rail accident]]; 7 killed.
* 1930 – {{rws|Culgaith}} rail accident; 2 killed, 8 injured.
* 1933 – {{rws|Little Salkeld}} station collision; 1 killed, 35 injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_LittleSalkeld1933.pdf|title=Accident at Little Salkeld on 10th July 1933|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref>
* 1952 – [[List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom#1948–1994: British Railways/Rail|Blea Moor derailment]]  34 injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_BleaMoor1952.pdf|title=1952 official accident report|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref>
* 1960 – [[Settle rail crash]]; 5 killed, 8 injured.
* 1968 – Horton rail crash; Major damage, no fatalities; 2 injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Horton1968.pdf|title=Horton 1968 official accident report|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref>
* 1995 – [[1995 Ais Gill rail accident|Ais Gill rail accident (1995)]]; 1 killed.
* 1999 – [[1999 Crosby Garrett rail accident|Crosby Garrett rail accident]].

==Simulators==
The line is featured in [[Microsoft Train Simulator]], which depicts the line as it was in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, and in modern-day for [[Dovetail Games]]' [[Train Simulator (video game)|Train Simulator.]]

[[Trainz]] Railway Simulator has a Settle & Carlisle package modelled on the line under British Railways ownership in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

==In popular culture==
In 1983, [[ITV Border|Border Television]] released a film documentary named 'Steam on the Settle & Carlisle'.<ref>{{cite web|title = History {{!}} Settle Carlisle Railway|url = http://settle-carlislerailway.co.uk/history-of-the-settle-carlisle-railway/|website = settle-carlislerailway.co.uk|access-date = 3 November 2015}}</ref> It featured a trip from Carlisle to Settle on the "Cumbrian Mountain Express" hauled by [[LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley|LNER A4 ''Sir Nigel Gresley'']] (at the time in its LNER livery and number 4498). [[SR West Country and Battle of Britain classes|SR West Country class ''City of Wells'']] and [[SR Lord Nelson class|SR class LN ''Lord Nelson'']] also made appearances towards the end, while [[LMS Princess Coronation Class 6229 Duchess of Hamilton|LMS Princess Coronation Class 6229 ''Duchess of Hamilton'']] (in un-streamlined form) was seen at the start and towards the end. In March 2016 a fifty-minute colour documentary "The Long Drag", made in 1962-3 by the Halifax Cinema Club was released for free viewing on the British Film Institute website<ref>{{cite web|url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-the-long-drag-1963-online|title=Watch The Long Drag online - BFI Player|website=player.bfi.org.uk|accessdate=19 September 2025}}</ref> The British Film Institute website also hosts a 1985 Yorkshire Television documentary "The End of the Line" which is free to view online.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-end-of-the-line-1985-online|title=Watch End of the Line? online - BFI Player|website=player.bfi.org.uk|accessdate=19 September 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Abbott, Stan and Whitehouse, Alan (1994) [first published 1990] ''The line that refused to die.'' Hawes: Leading Edge. {{ISBN|0-948135-43-3}}
* Baughan P E (1966) ''The Midland Railway North of Leeds''
* Houghton F W & Foster W H (1948) ''The Story of the Settle – Carlisle line''.
* Towler J (1990) ''The Battle for the Settle & Carlisle'' Platform 5 Publishing, Sheffield {{ISBN|1-872524-07-9}}
* Williams F S (1875, reprinted 1968) ''Williams' Midland Railway''

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine |last=Clarke |first=John |title=Outpost of the Midland: Blea Moor near the summit of the 'long drag' over the Pennines from Settle |magazine=Railway Magazine |date=March 1966 |pages=134–136 |volume=112 |issue=779 }}
*{{cite magazine|title=Outlook Bleak!|first=Philip E.|last=Crome|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=October 1982|pages=34–37|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=The S&C a suitable case for treatment|first=Peter|last=Fox|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=November 1984|pages=36–40|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=New worries over Settle–Carlisle|first=Alan|last=Whitehead|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=December 1981 – January 1982|pages=10–11|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=New Settle–Carlisle controversy|first=Alan|last=Whitehouse|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=February–March 1982|page=47|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Dales rail stations cling to life – but for how much longer?|first=Alan|last=Whitehouse|page=46|date=February 1983|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Settle & Carlisle: Sentence of death or enlightened reprieve?|first1=Alan|last1=Whitehouse|first2=Murray|last2=Brown|pages=6–7|issue=82|date=July 1988|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Scenic Settle & Carlisle line enjoys freight boom|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|issue=318|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=19 November – 2 December 1997|page=42|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Settle to Carlisle Line}}
{{GeoGroup}}
*[http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/ Settle–Carlisle Partnership – timetables, online secure shop, route guides and the latest news, plus information about FoSCL]
*[http://www.foscl.org.uk/ Friends of the Settle–Carlisle Line (FoSCL) – information, recent news and events, guided walks and membership information]
*[http://www.friendsofdalesrail.org/ Friends of DalesRail – Free guided walks from the Settle–Carlisle railway]
*[http://www.mallerstang.com/pm-settle-carlisle.htm A history of the Mallerstang section of the line, and a commemoration of those who died during its construction, and in three accidents in this dale]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080211192747/http://www.skiptonweb.co.uk/tourist/nearby_attractions/S-C_Railway/index.htm Images and information of each railway station]
<!--*[http://www.thesectionalappendix.co.uk/CLCG01.html  British Railways in 1960 - The Settle to Carlisle line]-->
*[http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/1999/4/10/164330.html Report on the attempt to close the line and the campaign to keep it open.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822221933/http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/1999/4/10/164330.html |date=22 August 2010 }}
*[http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/episode_guides/2009/index.html Time Team: Blood, Sweat and Beers – Rise Hill, Cumbria]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww_vHrrkd28 Settle to Carlisle update – February 2016.  Network Rail video on the 2016 landslip at Eden Brows]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMeoiRCWYs Eden Brows Landslip – Contractor video on the status of repair works at Eden Brows in July 2016]

{{Railway lines in North West England}}
{{Railway lines in Yorkshire and the Humber}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|54.517|-2.456|dim:100000_region:GB|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Settle-Carlisle Line}}
[[Category:Rail transport in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Yorkshire Dales]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Carlisle, Cumbria]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1875]]
[[Category:Railway lines in North West England]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Yorkshire and the Humber]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in England]]