SETTLE AND CARLISLE RAILWAY TRIP

If you love steam trains…..!

This summer series of steam hauled trains provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway, probably the most famous railway route in Britain.

Our steam hauled train leaves York 09:30 hrs hauled by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool and heads for Church Fenton where we take the direct route to Leeds. We stop to pick up more passengers at Castleford, Woodlesford, Keighley, and Skipton. There will be a stop at Hellifield for our steam locomotive to take on water before we join the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction. Here begins one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100.

Once through Settle station, there are magnificent views across the Fells to the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass through Dent Dale and the highest open station in England at Dent, travelling through tunnels and crossing valleys on numerous lofty viaducts, as we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit (1,169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, to Lazenby where our locomotive takes on water.

We continue to Carlisle and passengers will have about two hours to explore the Border City, possibly visiting the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum or the Lanes Shopping Centre.

Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey late afternoon and climbs almost continuously for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on water. We continue to stops at Skipton, Keighley, Woodlesford, Castleford and York, to set down passengers.

Standard ticket is £115.