Over the Settle & Carlisle and under the Ribblehead viaduct with Lou and Izzy

I'm staying with Lou and her dog Izzy, so the three of us are going on a road and rail trip along the Settle and Carlisle line. We'll be stopping off at Ribblehead to walk under and around the famous viaduct and maybe we'll get the chance for some cake!
Izzy's a young and excitable spaniel and she's never been on a train before. How will she do? Join us to find out!
Departure: Skipton, England, UK
Destination: Carlisle, England, UK
Distance: 140 km / 87 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 3 mins (if you travelled straight through without stopping at Ribblehead)
Average speed: 68 km/h 42 mph
Offpeak return (standard class): £32.10 / €37,50
North West Rover (4 days in 8): £96.80 / €113,00 (£63.85 with railcard disc)
Date of Travel: April 2024
Operator: Northern trains
Motive power: Class 158/9 2-car DMU. Built: BREL Derby (1989-1992)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@liamburke1741]

Brilliant video! One of my favourite routes. Izzy was lovely. She was well trained on the train (pun intended! ) 👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes. We were under no illusion that everybody would like Izzy more than the two of us... Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@STNW1956]

A very interesting and enjoyable video. Beautiful scenery, good company and the sweetest little dog. Thank you.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. Izzy is a cutie for sure! And thank you so much too for watching 👍

[@Kulla1berg]

One of the most beutiful train journey you can do in UK I was hikning for two weeks ago in Lake District and was surprised how well dogs were taken care in Pubs and resturants. They got a own water bowl and a dog snack

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, Izzy likes her trips to the pub. As you say, she can often be well catered for. Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnairs2735]

Loved the video. More dogs like Izzy please, not fewer ! Nice to see all three of you. I have stayed at Dent station but some years ago. We had to bring all our drinking water as the tap water comes from the beck (stream) you showed. It was a deep brown colour ! It was fun to watch the 4 DMU trains (including Pacers) in each direction stop each day at the station as well as steam specials that sped through. The heavy freight trains at 3 am were not so great as they shook the whole station building and I woke with a start. The rain doesn't fall at Dent but drives upwards at you along the valley . Otherwise a great place to stay for a week or so but stick to summer time. Thanks for the video, I always enjoy your journeys by rail.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for the lovely memories and the kind words. I do fancy staying at Dent one day. The little cottages at the end of the platform would do me fine! Thanks so much for watching too 👍

[@Timstravels01]

What a super day out. Absolute perfection. Even the decent weather eventually turned up. Hope you’re keeping well.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes. It did brighten up a bit at the end, although all three had got "proper wet" by then! Best wishes to you too. Just answering comments, then i will be popping over to check out your latest!

[@phronsiekeys]

That was a real treat! All those stations loaded with charm, atmospheric weather, a soaring viaduct, a cute dog, a nice friend -- as well as tea, scones, pub with invisible pint, what a great way to spend a day. Lucky!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, we had a ball! And it is lovely that you enjoyed the trip too. Best wishes and thanks for watching another 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Great Video As Always Johnny

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Always looking forward to your new video's!! Nice one! Keep 'm coming . Nice train route

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! 👍

[@truebrit3578]

Another great video. I also had a male Springer Spaniel that responded to the name Izzy. His registered name was Brunel. You can fill the rest in.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah what a good name for a dog! Yes, i think we can all fill in the blanks on that one. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kieronwillans4038]

Another excellent video Johnny. Brilliant company too. Not sure if you visited while in Skipton, but I recommend the Woolly Sheep Inn which is right in the centre of town, stayed overnight there too back in 2019.. I actually covered the Swinden Quarry line on a railtour about 20 years ago. I joined the train at Peterborough hauled by a class 90 locomotive. exchanged at Doncaster for a pair of Class 56s. After traversing the branch, we had a couple of hours in Skipton before heading home.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

No, we didn't have long in skipton really this time. I'll check with Lou if she knows the pub though as she's the local one! Thanks for the kind words and thank you so much for watching 👍

[@enricomonti156]

I did the train journey from Skipton to Carlisle and return in 2022 and had a lot of nice scenery. It is something not to miss

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it is a great ride. We are lucky the line has been kept. Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@Fan652w]

Thank you for an interesting video. A special thank you for showing the Dent station building, now available as a holiday let. The 'Friends of the Settle and Carlisle Railway' ('FOSCAR') have restored this station. Much of the money for this restoration came from a legacy left them by a personal friend of mine who was a very active member of FOSCAR.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks, that's a lovely story and the state of Dent (and many of the other stations in the line) is a fitting tribute to your friend. Maybe one day i will stay there... 😀 Thanks for watching another 👍

[@Fan652w]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Thanks Johnny. Every time Dent station is mentioned in any part of the media (eg a youtube video or a railway magazine) I immediately think of my late friend John.

[@user-eg8pv2om7j]

Superb video BUT Izzy stole your thunder. Thankyou for the time,money, equipment, effort and editing in bringing this lovely experience.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It was never in any doubt that the star of this video would be Izzy... ... Lou and I were resigned to that at the start of the day! 🤷‍♂️ Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@PaulGodfrey]

I had a walk under the viaduct in similar summer weather. The pub at Ribblehead was a life saver.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes indeed. In the summer at least the rain is a little warmer. Maybe Rishi Sunak should do a speech from Ribblehead... 😉⛈️ Thanks for watching 👍

[@godders7964]

Very scenic and enjoyable video despite the weather. What a day out for Izzy with all those new smells to explore!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, she had an awful lot to sniff... Thanks for watching 👍

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Michael Portillo helped to keep that part of the Leeds Carlisle line open. Otherwise you would have had communities that would rely on limited services to other places. They are still planning to bring back the section between Skipton and Colne.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I remember in one of his very early train tv programmes he went to Ribblehead and was talking about his time as a minister and how proud he was that the line had remained open. Mind you. Still great on that election night when he lost his seat! 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching 👍

[@georgemacpherson1992]

@@JohnnyHooverTravelshe was humble in defeat.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@georgemacpherson1992 indeed he was.

[@Diana-andre2018]

Very interesting video Johnny and nice that you had company with Lou and Izzy. I loved the scenery in that part of the UK. Your trips abroad are great and quite spectacular, but you cannot beat the English countryside whatever the weather. So thank you for this as sometimes I do miss not living in the UK, but your trips around the UK never fail to give me such enjoyment. 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I shall be moving in some UK ones now with some from more Interrail travels in Europe. Hopefully there will be enough UK stuff for you. Thanks for sticking with the channel. It is always appreciated 👍

[@matjordan4848]

What a cute dog - hope to see her again in future videos! Another good one John. Ribblehead has a special place in my heart as the place where the train waited for me. After a long days walk in the snow I was heading back down the road towards the pub when the train crept across the viaduct. The guard saw me running and held the train to give me time to get up that long drive up to the station. I was hugely grateful.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Aw that's a lovely story Mat. Pleased they waited for you. I dunno... you make 100-odd videos then everybody just wants you to do more with dogs in!... I'll let Lou and Izzy know they will be required for future adventures. Maybe you and I might do one in the North too next time i swing through? Bet you know some good walks by train 😉

[@horsehollerer]

Cheers, I very much enjoyed this special Three Musketeers edition of your travels. Izzy has irresistibly pettable ears, as I'm sure you already know. Somehow, Settle to Carlisle has always eluded me. I came close to finally incorporating it when I was over around Easter time, but then it turned into a West Highland jaunt as it always seems to. Oh well, next time 😉

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. Definitely worth giving it a try! Izzy really is a cutie. She makes friends wherever she goes! Thanks for watching another 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

Looks like a great day out (rain and all) by the 2 and 4-legged JHT team members.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it was nice to get out. Everyone was soggy by the end of the day! Thanks for coming along 👍

[@01tk69]

Thanks Johnny for the another great journey !!! Support from Hong Kong !!!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks and best wishes to you from Devon, UK 👍

[@johncarr712]

Thanks for sharing how beautiful this line is. Me and the wife drove to Ribblehead station when we stayed in the Lake District in 2017. We took the train to Appleby where we visited the castle (v.interesting) and then when down to Settle where the flowerpot festival was taking place. We took a good walk around there, laughing at some of the designs, stopped in a lovely cafe and then saw a steam train fly through. I at least, will want to do this line again. P.S. I have recently been catching up and enjoying your vlogs in Portugal and Switzerland. Certainly adds things to an ever growing bucket list if you like. Keep up the good work. Youre doing a fantastic job. Cheers.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it is a lovely line that i have wanted to include in the channel for some time. Pleased that you enjoyed your ride up and down it too. Thanks for the lovely kind words about the videos. It has been fun making them and seeing many parts of the UK and Europe that were new to me. Thanks you 👍

[@IanYoung1975]

I spot the flying banana quite a bit in Derby. My brother in law used to work on it if my memory serves me correctly. Quite a few family members have worked on the trains one way or another here in Derby. A great video Johnny and Kudos to the good volunteers keeping those buildings in such good order. P.S. Izzy is adorable ❤.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes the banana certainly gets about (I suppose that is its job!). And yes it is lovely that all the stations on the line are in such good nick. Oh and i think Lou and i will just have to accept that we were never going to be the stars of this video! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ampersand.]

How very green and English, I feel quite rested watching that, thank you. Always so beautifully filmed. And what great travelling companions - perhaps more Lou & Izzy in the future :)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! Next time I visit I'll see if they fancy another adventure! Best wishes to you and thanks for watching another 👍

[@vidkopf10]

This is truly one of your best videos! Wonderful to see Lou and Izzy! Please include them in future videos!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Over 100 videos! Nobody told me all i had to do was include a cute doggie!! Yes, I'm sure they would both be up for another adventure when I'm up in the North again! Thanks for watching and for the kind words. It is very much appreciated 👍

[@vidkopf10]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Usually a dog is all it takes! But, as a regular viewer, I will say that having more interactions with people (and a dog) in the videos really brings them to life. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing you traveling through a variety of spaces in different modes, by car, on foot, on trains, and so on. The viaduct is remarkable and I've seen it in films before, but you really give us a treat seeing it in two kinds of weather! Visiting Yorkshire and the nearby Lake Country has been a dream of mine for a long time. This video rekindles my fire!

[@eam1955]

allways enjoy your vids

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks, that's very nice of you to say. Thanks for watching along 👍

[@robbiephillipstravelsofple4790]

Great video same about the weather looking forward to the next one

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well it is Yorkshire and Cumbria, so that is pretty standard for the weather 🤷‍♂️ Next up, will be a little ride starting in Venice (bit of a change of pace after rainy UK) Thanks for watching this one! 👍

[@srfurley]

GLovesTrains stayed at one of the stations and did a review of it.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh yes she did! I watched that one too 😀 Thanks for the reminder and thanks too for watching 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video, lovely views, lssy is lovely 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, she's great. No argument about who the star of this video is... Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinellis8869]

This has to be your best video so far! Trains, dogs and beer - what more could a man want? Our sadly departed Westie used to come on all our trips, including one memorable one where he nearly fell in the gap between train and platform at New Street! Izzy is a superstar, not forgetting Lou too, more of the same please.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I feel everything i do from now will be a letdown, now I've worked with Lou and Izzy... I will get them back for another adventure next time I'm in the North 😀 Meanwhile thanks for the kind words and thank you for watching 👍

[@kevinellis8869]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Think about all the positive responses you've had. You create great empathy with those of us of a certain age and show us places we probably won't ever visit and the collaborations with Mark add great variety. Keep up the good work!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@kevinellis8869 thanks Kevin. I was only kidding a bit. It was fun to go out with Lou and Izzy and we do hope to do something else. Thanks for your kindness and support. I really appreciate everybody's kind words. Doing this daft stuff at my age was not the career pivot i expected after 40-odd years in IT . It's been a blast!

[@johncrwarner]

Q: Why is the countryside so lush and green? A: because it rains a lot - the Gulf Stream brings the moist air and it rises over the foothills of the Pennines cools and drops its moisture as rain So a range of weather should ALWAYS be expected especially RAIN. As Shakespeare said: "For the rain it raineth every day"

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes indeed. I believe they say "lookup at the fells for the weather forecast. If you can see the peak it is about to rain. If you can't see it, it's already raining!" Thanks for watching another. It is much appreciated. 👍

[@craig.bryant]

Great video Johnny, brings back great memories of my GCSE Geography trip to Settle and Skipton, including the Ribblehead Viaduct to which I was the only person remotely interested!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes. I've been on school trips like that! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

The gloomy weather is what makes the Settle and Carlisle special, very nice video and love the scone, shame it was scone before I could ask if I could have a taste 😂

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

That was such a bad pun it truly could have been one of mine! I challenge you to get some puns in your next vid! Thanks for watching this one 👍

[@ianbolton9309]

Fantastic video love the settle - Carlisle line, stayed in long Marton station quite a few times between 2004-2014 wonderful place and area think they have shut now, and added it into the rest of their station home 🙂

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that... and thanks for watching too 👍

[@RoddyJenkins]

Thanks Johmmu, Lou, and Izzy! Another great video, despite North Yorkshire wager…. I’m guessing those bs I Carlisle were very welcoming m!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it was nice to get a beer and stay out of the weather for a bit. We did get very wet indeed at Ribblehead! Thanks for watching another 👍

[@broadsword6650]

It's spelled "Long Preston" but pronounced "Preeeeessssttttoonnnnn" 🤣

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Keep those Dad jokes coming... 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@terryosullivan2620]

Thats another great trip for you 2 + Izzy. To do it i'd fly in from ireland to glasgow and train to carlisle to leeds and fly home from there.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You could also do it with rail/sail tickets! Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@colinriley123]

Been looking forward to this all week: and what a surprise! Beautiful video and my cograts to the eduitope=r

[@colinriley123]

Pressed the wrong button. Should have been editor.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Colin. You see, news of your penchant for a decent beer has spread far and wide! Next week I'm in Venice... got some great shots of the city at 6am

[@colinriley123]

Can’t wait. I thought you did Ribblehead proud, and don’t doubt your staff will have done a good job on La Serenissima!

[@jameskeys971]

More dogs please!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! I will see what I can do! Next time I'm up North I'll see if they are free for more adventures! Thanks for watching 👍

[@user-zl8tw2vh1v]

This chap is like a wet weekend .

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It was a wet Monday actually 😉

[@user-zl8tw2vh1v]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels . Suits you then 🤡

[@user-nx1li8ne9v]

Nice video, as always, but why is the dog on the seats?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for the kind words. Lou was very careful to make sure Izzy did not come into contact with the seats. She was on Lou's coat (or on Lou) at all times. Thanks too for watching 👍

[@tonys1636]

Very glad to see that Izzy was restrained in the car, although the fixing was a bit long. Too many people don't and the dog becomes an unguided missile in an emergency stop or worse. Years ago when I had a GSD (ex Surrey Police reject, too soft and gentle) and a Datsun estate with a dog guard, I still attached his harness to a tie down point. He may have been a gentle child loving dog but still had a firm sharp bite as a burglar discovered one night, the Police arrested him by following the blood trail to his flat.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for noticing that. People do forget what happens in even a low speed crash. Lots of things in the vehicle become projectiles... Thanks for watching and sharing your doggie memories 👍

[@stephensullivan9345]

Who is the your friend lou?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Who wants to know? 😉 Lou's a Devon girl transplanted to Yorkshire! Thanks for watching 👍

[@stephensullivan9345]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels I do johnny thought she might be related to you

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@stephensullivan9345 she is just a great friend. I've known her for over 20 years!

[@stephensullivan9345]

Thanks Johnny Typical of me being a nosy sod

[@vnk5932]

Vanity and posturing are the driving force behind any blogging.