Carlisle Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 402 553
Distance: 88 miles drive from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, and A6
Car Parking: Station car park available Fee payable

Carlisle is a mainline station serving a number of rail companies.The station is operated by Virgin Trains (West Coast) Ltd. The Citadel station was built in 1847 and was designed by William Tite, who was also responsible for the London Stock Exchange. In its heyday seven railway companies operated from the station.

Armathwaite Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 503 462
Distance: 80 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on the A6069, A65, and A6
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

The original Armathwaite station building is a medium sized style built from local red sandstone, although over the past few years it has fallen into decline. There are plans for the building to be renovated and converted into dwellings.

The waiting shelter on the Southbound side of the track is a good example of a stone waiting shelter in traditional Midland style.

Armathwaite signal box, just North of the station, is one of two restored by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line. The other being Settle signal box situated by Settle station.

Lazonby & Kirkoswald Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 548 398
Distance: 76 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, A66, A686, B6412
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

Built in the traditional Derby Gothic Style in the 1870's by George Black of Carlisle the station included a Cattle Dock and a 12,000 gallon water tank.

In its heyday Lazonby was a busy station handling a large volume of lumber from local forests and livestock from the goods yard, which doubled as a centre for sheep auctions. The former goods yard and shed is now owned by a Bakery, Bells of Lazonby, a major local employer.

The station building on the Northbound platform is now in Private ownership.

Langwathby Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 574 334
Distance: 72 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, A66, A686
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

Langwathby station is a medium-sized station building, now housing attractive tea rooms, 'Brief Encounters'. The recently built waiting shelter on the Southbound platform was designed to follow the original Midland Railway shelter at Langwathby which used wood instead of local stone.

A new waiting shelter on the Northbound platform was planned for the year 2000.

The station closed to passengers on 4th May 1970 after being unstaffed since 1967.

Local stations were opened in 1986 prior to the line being finally reprieved in 1989.

A local bus runs from Langwathby to Penrith throughout the year. For more details call National Traveline on 0870 6082608 .
Website : www.traveline.org.uk

Appleby Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 685 206
Distance: 63 miles drive from Grassington
Directions: West on the A6069 and A65
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

The station is constructed using the 'large' type design and built with bricks, unusual for the Settle-Carlisle where most buildings have used stone. The platforms are the longest on the line at 200 yards, built originally for the purposes of the Anglo-Scottish Express.

The station is set fairly high above the town, with a well marked walk down to the town centre and the River Eden. Allow time to walk back to the station as is it a steep climb uphill.

Appleby is 31 miles from Carlisle and 270 miles from London. The station was originally called Appleby West to prevent confusion with the other station which was the North Eastern Railway station serving trains on the Darlington-Penrith transpennine route. With the closure of the NER station in 1962, the original name of Appleby was reinstated.

The signal box just past Appleby denotes the junction for the line to Warcop, which is a remnant of that route. There are hopes that this line may yet re-open, which had been in regular use up until 1989 with freight serving the Army depot at Warcop.

A plaque on the Appleby station building commemorates Eric Treacy, Bishop of Wakefield and one of the great railway photographers who collapsed and died on Appleby station whilst photographing a steam special.

Kirkby Stephen Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: NY 762 066
Height ASL: 865 ft : 264 m
Distance: 53 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, A683, A685
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

Kirkby Stephen is the first station in the beautiful lush Eden Valley after the line descends from its highest point at Ais Gill (1169ft above sea level).The station itself is situated up the hill and well over a mile from the town itself.On a clear day there are magnificent views across Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell, the Howgills and the distant Lakeland Fells.As with many stations on the line, the weather can be very severe so you are advised to remember this if you intend alighting from the train during Winter. The area outside the station has poor lighting and can be very dark.

The station building is a wonderful example of Midland Railway architecture at its best, and was the only station on the line to have the luxury of a first class waiting room.As with many of the station areas, many of the buildings you see in the immediate vicinity were constructed by the railway company.

Just south of Kirkby Stephen station you can see the picturesque Norman ruins of Pendragon Castle.Named after Uther Pendragon the castle is supposed to be birthplace of his son, King Arthur. Lady Anne Clifford restored the castle in the 1660's.

Garsdale Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: SD 788 918
Height ASL : 1158 ft : 352m
Distance: 48 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, A683
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

Garsdale is one of the wildest stations on the Settle-Carlisle line.

This station is one of four in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is also just inside the county boundary of Cumbria.

This is the only station now in use that does not follow the Derby Gothic building pattern of two gables facing the platform and another facing away.

The only station on the line incorporating a fully operational signal box this was once the junction for the former Wensleydale railway line to Hawes.Some of the trackbed still exists and the remains of the cattle dock can still be seen.This line was connected to the S&C in 1878. The engine shed is now gone but the 16 Midland Cottages, now in private hands, remain.

Another feature of Garsdale were the highest water troughs in the world which express trains used to gather water whilst passing through Garsdale at speed.

Dent Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: SD 764 874
Height ASL: 1152 ft : 351m
Distance: 37 miles drive from Grassington
Directions: West on the A6069, then North on the A629, North West on the A65, and keep heading East on both the B6479 and B6255 respectively, until the local roads.
Car Parking: Station car park available Free

Dent is the highest mainline station in England. It is 1150 feet above sea level and is positioned almost half way between Leeds and Carlisle.(Leeds 58 1/4 miles and Carlisle 54 3/4 miles.)

Dent station first opened for public use in 1877 - it closed in 1970 and reopened in 1986.

Dent village is situated 4miles away and 600 feet lower than the station.

Snow fences made from old railway sleepers can be seen on the right when travelling towards Carlisle. These were used to try and keep the snow off the tracks, but were not always successful, as was found to be the case in the winter of 1947.

At the peak of its use 90 trains a day passed through the station.

Dent used to have a signal box, but this was closed in 1981 and is now no longer there. It is just possible to make out where it used to stand on the left-hand side as you approach Dent station heading towards Carlisle.

There used to be a cattle dock and crane on the station side with coal and cattle being served from one siding. These facilities were withdrawn from 1st October 1964, but the siding remained in use for engineering department purposes for some years.

One feature of the station that is not seen on other station buildings on the Settle-Carlisle is the extra 'hood' of roof that is found over each of the large front windows to add extra protection from the elements.

The station master's house at Dent was unusual for it's time in that it had double glazing to help protect it from the harsh winds.The two pieces of glass were placed 6 inches apart.Three sides of the house were also lined in slate as an added protection.

Ribblehead Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: SD 765 789
Height ASL : 1025 ft : 312 m
Distance: 25 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on the A6069, A65, B6479, B6255
Car Parking: Station car park available Free
Additional Info. Museum on the platform.

The station has now been completely re-furbished and has a visitor centre. The visitor centre includes exhibits about the history of the line and the fight to keep it open. There is also a small shop in the centre and some refreshments are available (open 09:30 - 16:30 every day except Monday).

Ribblehead Station is in one of the most beautiful areas on the Settle to Carlisle line, surrounded by the Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales - Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

This was one of the most difficult sections of the line ever to be built.

The magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct - 24 arches crossing Batty Moss 100 feet below and 440 yards long, follows the station.

Shortly after the viaduct is Blea Moor Tunnel, at 2629 yards long this is the longest tunnel on the line.

The name for the station was at first undecided; it was to be called Ingleton Road then Batty Green.The name Ribblehead was finally adopted.

Other information

The area of Ribblehead station and viaduct is one of the wildest and most remote in the North of England. Frequently there is a very strong wind and the weather can close in very quickly. During the winter period temperatures can drop very low and the ground underneath can get extremely wet. Please remember all these factors if you are visiting the area.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station

Information Site: Clickety-click
Grid Ref: SD 803 726
Height ASL: 805 ft : 245 m
Distance: 22 miles from Grassington
Directions: West on A6069, A65, B6479
Car Parking: Station car park available

Horton station is the 'small' type of station building. Fortunes for the station have been varied with it winning best kept station for 17 years running, then entering a period of decay before recently enjoying a full refurbishment making it one of the most attractive on the line with beautifully kept gardens.

Horton is ideally placed to explore the magnificent Three Peaks region of the Yorkshire Dales. Pen-y-Ghent, to the East is the smallest of the Three Peaks at 2272 ft and translates as 'hill of the winds'. Next in height is Ingleborough at 2373 ft and highest is Whernside at 2418 ft. It is possible to walk all Three Peaks in one day (24miles) as long as you are extremely well prepared. Please remember that the weather conditions can be completely different on the summit of the peaks to that of the base of the mountain. If you do intend to tackle the Three Peaks you can 'clock' in at the Pen-y-Ghent café and information point.

Alternatively there is much to be explored underground as this is an area rich in caves and potholes. Hull Pot, below Pen-y-Ghent and Alum Pot, above Selside are two of the better known ones and well worth a visit.

The mediaeval parish church in the village dates from the 15th Century but with many Norman features.

Settle Station

Information Site: Click Here
Grid Ref: SD 817 634
Height ASL: 494 ft : 150 m
Distance: 16 miles drive from Grassington
Directions: Head NW on the A6069, then turn right on the A629, and bear left onto the A65. Then turn right onto the B6479.
Car Parking: Station car park available. Fee payable

Settle station was opened in 1876 and is one of the large Derby Gothic Style station types.

This is one of the three stations which originally served Settle, the other two were Settle(Old) renamed Giggleswick in 1877 and Settle Junction which closed in 1877.

The station forms part of what was formerly a much larger complex including a goods shed, weigh office, sidings, cattle dock, a working signal box and water tank. Goods facilities were withdrawn in 1970 but even today the water tank and Station Masters house, although now in private ownership, provide evidence of the stations past.

A good view of the features within the landscape can be observed from the station footbridge including; Giggleswick Chapel, Pen-y-ghent, original Midland Railway workers houses and the Town Hall which now houses the Tourist Information Centre.

Viaducts and Buildings

Information Site: Official Settle to Carlisle Website
Grid Ref: Various

Viaducts

Kirkgate 32 ft. high 52 yds. long 4 arches

Marshfield 45 ft. high 88 yds. long 6 arches

Sheriff Brow 55 ft. high 58 yds. long 3 arches

Little 25 ft. high 55 yds. long 3 arches

Ribblehead 104 ft. high 440 yds. long 24 arches Built 1870-1875

Dent Head 100 ft. high199 yds. long 10 arches Built 1870-1875

Arten Gill 117 ft. high 220 yds. long 11 arches Built 1871-1875

Dandry Mire 50 ft. high 227 yds. long 12 archesBuilt 1873-1875

Lunds 63 ft. high 103 yds. long 5 arches Built 1874-1875

Ais Gill 75 ft. high 87 yds. long 4 arches Built 1871-1875

Smardale 131 ft. high 237 yds. long 12 arches Built 1870-1875

Crosby Garrett 55 ft. high 110 yds. long 6 arches Built 1871

Griseburn 74 ft. high 142 yds. long 7 arches Built 1873-1875

Ormside 90 ft. high 200 yds. long 10 arches Built 1870-1875

Long Marton 60 ft. high108 yds. long5 archesBuilt 1871-1874

Crowdundle 55 ft. high 86 yds. long 4 arches Built 1873-1873

Little Salkeld 60 ft. high 134 yds. long 7 archesBuilt 1874-1875

Long Meg 60 ft. high 137 yds. long 7 arches Built 1871-1875

Armathwaite 80 ft. high 176 yds. long 9 arches Built 1871-1874

Dry Beck 80 ft. high 139 yds. long 7 arches Built 1871-1874

High Stand Gill (also known as Knot Hill Viaduct) 60 ft. high 91 yds. long 4 arches Built 1871-1875

Bridges

Taitlands (or Stainforth) 120 yds. long

Blea Moor 2629 yds. long Built 1870-1875

Rise Hill 1213 yds. long Built 1870-1875

Moorcock 98 yds. long Built 1871-1874

Shotlock 106 yds. long Built 1871-1875

Birkett 424 yds. long Built 1871-1874

Crosby Garrett 181 yds. long Built 1873-1875

Helm 571 yds. long Built 1870-1873

Culgaith 661 yds. long Built 1870-1873

Wastebank 164 yds. long Built 1871-1873

Lazonby 99 yds. long Built 1871-1872

Baron Wood No.1 207 yds. long Built 1871-1872

Baron Wood No.2 251 yds. long Built 1871-1873

Armathwaite 325 yds. long Built 1870-1871

Travel on the Settle and Carlisle Railway and you are sure to see many line-side buildings along the way. Unique to the S. & C.R. the buildings are all of a standard architectural style with minor differences from station to station.

The buildings bear no resemblence to the surrounding local architecture but local materials were used in their construction, hence you will find that in the Eden valley section brick and sandstone were used, with millstone grit and limestone being used in the moorland and Ribble valley sections.

Although little used, the stations on the line have in the past formed a vital link with the outside world for the people living in the surrounding areas. Local produce could be transported with ease to many cities and towns around the country. The numerous goods sheds on the line were once busy centres, despatching and receiving a wide variety of produce. These too were all built to a single standard design, varying only in length and building materials.

The line and its stations have been designated a conservation area ensuring its continued use and a massive effort is underway to regenerate the line and preserve its future.