The Settle to Carlisle Line - is this England's most scenic railway line?

[@davidbarrass]

My mum was one of those who faught to save the line ( I helped, but I was only a teenager). She moved to Settle -quite litterally in the shaddow of Settle station. I last saw her in Carlise Station waiting to catch the train back. Thanks for the memories of the line and my mum.

[@steve-marsh]

Fascinating stuff mate and I've always wanted to see Dent station so thanks for that! Looks like a cracking day oot.

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Yeah, it was a great wee journey, but the scenery doesn't compare with some Scottish routes.

[@ozgirl45]

Another great video! Such a beautiful journey down to Leeds. The stations and the countryside fortunately appear as if time and change passed them by.

[@The.Doofus]

I'm happy they have stayed that way too, to much has been built on over the years. A glimpse into past times.

[@alangordon3283]

Refreshing to see your not complaining for once Cracking wee excursion .

[@Ian-Steele]

I could watch more of your journey from Carlisle to Leeds at any time. Thanks Scott you made an old Yorkshireman very happy. 😂

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Such picture perfect little stations! Like from a kid’s model train set… Wow - cart service, too!

[@egpx]

Great video Scott. I've been along the Settle-Carlisle line on a few occasions, It's the best way to get to Leeds from Glasgow. A standard return ticket is quite a bit less than the alternatives such as via Manchester or Edinburgh and York. The scenery is free too! I also once did it on a steam-hauled tour which was nice but to be honest it is just as good in a Northern Class158.

[@MH_1-9-9-6]

You’re better than surf shark ads brother

[@markcherriman6136]

You should try that journey in the snow , now that is a sight to behold .

[@StepG-xp3nk]

Travelled this journey two weeks ago. Absolutely beautiful views of a wonderful landscape

[@stevegoodwin7138]

We are so lucky in this country lots of lines are very scenic in their own way,coastal ,hilly like this one and the flatlands of the east ,all beautiful

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx for taking us along for the ride and inspiring views; This route is also on my bucket list.

[@SteveSmithRailways]

should always carry an emergency tenner inside your mobile phone holder. You never know when you might need it, especially for ice cream!

[@jamesetchingham594]

Definitely up there! I have to say the Trainline around Dawlish in Devon will take some beating! Great video Scott

[@richm3786]

Hi Scott, another cracking video. You forgot to mention Ruswarp the dog statue at Garsdale (he signed the closure petition with his paw). Top geek points for knowing that Appleby is the only brick station building though.

[@Mach_One_Photos]

the onboard catering and gift sales are run by The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company rather than Northern Rail hence they stop at Settle. also they are cash only as large sections of the line have no signal to process card payments

[@LemoncloudGT]

When I went they accepted card payment but on way back I had to pay for my snack after me and the catering service got off at settle due to weak signal (card worked fine on way to Carlisle)

[@allanwilliment1029]

Hi Scott. I travelled on the Carlisle Settle railway in January 1989, while on holiday in UK. I also got off the train at Leeds. It was a very picturesque journey, even in winter. I'm so glad that line and service still exists, as I'd love to do that trip again someday...

[@BorderRambler]

Nice one Scott, I have been driving freight on this route for about 20 years now and never tire of it. Maybe not when we used to work the coal trains in the middle of the night tho 😂 before that I used to work the boxes up as far as Garsdale. 👍 in fact you might have passed me in the loop at Helifield as I awaited my path to Blackburn.

[@stephenmardon6781]

Did the route from Leeds a couple of years ago on the way home. Keep up the good work Scott, inspiring us to travel.

[@ronnoman61]

Love that railway line. Definitely get a better view of it from the moors. A great view can be had from Whernside or even from the path up to Blea Moor signal box. And of course the nearby Railway Tavern is well worth a visit too.

[@john4013]

What a beautiful train journey

[@MummyJilly]

Lovely video! Thanks Scott.

[@creationinmotion4124]

As a Yorkshireman I would agree this is a beautiful line. Kirkby Stephen is a beautiful station ❤

[@markc8956]

I was on the Carlisle-Newcastle line last weekend as I was going to Newcastle for a run event. Just as beautiful a line as this one!

[@DaveP668]

The summer services from Leeds to Carlilse are what I call the 'wrinkly ramblers expresses'. After 9.30am they are full of retirees with Gortex coats and walking poles!

[@ChrisPipinghot]

Lol good description 😂

[@kevanhubbard9673]

It use to have some direct services from Scotland which ran from Glasgow to Leeds which were run by Northern Spirit a predecessor of Northern.I think that they only ran twice a day.

[@LynnB_Ky]

Beautifully scenic and we loved watching your journey Scott, thank you

[@jamiescurrmusic9883]

I work at Carlisle train station and I can’t count the amount of times I’ve had people ask me about this route. As I work for TPE not Northern I can only give my personal thoughts on the line even though I’ve only done it twice to Leeds

[@richardbutler4488]

Tells a lot about how broken and disjointed British Railways 🚆 are. That’s not my line, that’s not my track, this is only an x operators first class lounge, so your on y operator so wait in the cold 🥶 with an overpriced coffee ☕️ from a soleless chain, with no real affiliation to the railway network generally at all. Ah you just bought an expensive ticket for z Trains 🚆 but it’s not valid because the train your on isn’t them! It was a terrible mistake that the network was undone in the 90’s, I’m sure private companies could have operated trains, but they could have been an fully integrated network to the public and common fleets of train sets and standard back up services, across the network.

[@duncanousby6711]

Great video I've started watching your KZbin channel after seeings you and Steve challenge. I'm really enjoying them thanks Duncan

[@Fent1386]

If you get chance the area around Ribblehead Viaduct is surrounded by the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Whernside, Inglebrough and Pen-y-Ghent), some people walk these 3 mountains in a day and get a medal. I’ve just climbed Whernside and the views at the top are amazing

[@xix94]

Race across the world is fantastic show

[@ScottishT]

Great Scott...as usual.

[@Martycycleman]

Cheers Scott.

[@ChrisPipinghot]

Fantastic video Scott. Love the Settle & Carlisle railway. Very scenic, its so much more nostalgic doing it on a steam train though.

[@Andrewjg_89]

One of the most scenic railway routes in Northern England. Amazing view as well.

[@dennisb9638]

Thanks Scott, watching this video convinced me to book a trip to Cumbria!

[@luisstransport]

Great video Scott

[@LemoncloudGT]

the catering on the settle-carisle line is not actually by northern, but the catering is by the settle-carisle line community rail partnership

[@janiceblair9558]

You should have got off at Settle. Beautiful little place especially on market day.

[@Andrew-rd4ig]

What a beautiful line

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Lovely video. The S&C is definitely right up there. The Cumbrian Coast Line is also very beautiful. You were maybe sat on the wrong side to get a good look at Hellifield (where the blue 66 was in the goods loop), which is also a magnificent station. It was a major junction and had a large engine shed back in its Midland Railway days.

[@MichaelCampin]

I've done Settle to Carlisle pulled both way by steam it was magical.

[@kateturnbull9085]

I have only done that journey in the pitch black (1984!) due to a engineering works diversion. Lovely to see what it should look like. I think Ribblehead looks better from the 3 peaks challenge route (and I am from Stockport so it takes a good viaduct to impress me 🤪)

[@christinecoates2499]

Magical. It took me straight back to my childhood in Clitheroe where the station was very similar to those on this route. The station building is actually still the same but there is no longer a foot bridge.

[@Scot-land]

Been looking forward to you uploading for day's. Ps we all take very much for granted in today's world

[@garethsmith2250]

Been in the pub that's below /near the viaduct at Rubble.. great view out of the pub toilet window

[@michaelstaley2241]

Lovely countryside station buildings .

[@Pooky-Cat]

Had a lovely holiday in that part of the world in June. Having given up our car earlier in the year we travelled up by train and toured around courtesy of the excellent bus service and the KWVR. An amazing week away.

[@jsa-z1722]

I just saw you in Steve Marsh’s channel. You’ve got another follower! I like your informative voice over.

[@Bradfordtruman]

bingley one of my local stations, wouldve been cool if paths crossed to say hello

[@send2gl]

Great video.

[@reecedawson6113]

I always love to cycle up past the Ribblehead viaduct when i got up to Visit family

[@progster999]

I did it the opposite way earlier this year. A must do journey for everyone into trains and landscape spotting. I want to do it again in a couple of years time. Great video as always from Scott.

[@paulwyse878]

Nice video. I remember years ago I worked underneath I think it was little Ribble. Descaling and replacing brickwork. I had a tempory PTS and stayed in a place I think was called the hogs head. The drive down wAs horrendous with visibility pretty much zero. Due to snow. Worked with mortar in freezing condition.

[@Shads5]

I crossed the S & C off of my bucket list during summer 2022. Unfortunately our train was delayed part of the way when someone on board became unwell and required an ambulance. The train stood at a station in the middle of nowhere for an hour! Very pretty line though.

[@paulbrown9802]

Another great video, I was in the area a few years ago and had to drive in the area of the Ribblehead Viaduct for a few days, just breathtaking!

[@raybrown2197]

You can stay at some stations overnight in the station buildings

[@georgearmstrong4731]

Best view of ribblehead viaduct is from the station inn toilet.

[@silgo7923]

When on holiday to Southport, Dad made a point of travelling this very line… though he was disappointed that it wasn’t on a steam locomotive and I was the perfect age of 13 not to care about it at all!!

[@stephenmcculley7]

Only omission is Keighley although you would have been on the wrong side of the train to view the Heritage station on the other side.

[@pixiholly]

You had a much better day on that beautiful line than we did. My pictures of Dent comprise rain plastered to the windows, through which you can just about see the sign! Still an absolutely great journey though.

[@LemoncloudGT]

I was on that line only yesterday, and the train was busy

[@lachlanmain6004]

excellent post, the Settle & Carlisle will be getting another revisit from me in the New Year. Pluss if you fancy something a little stronger than coffee there's an excellent bar on Lancaster station.

[@andrewgalt3964]

Magic Scott many years ago I worked for a rail service company and was involved in the track upgrade on completion we were lucky enough to be invited on a Steam Engine journey over the route ❤

[@gazmini81]

I recommend going on a train from Exmouth devon all the way up to barnstable the countryside past exeter st davids station is just stunning

[@AndreiTupolev]

In the 80s there were just two trains a day each way, and Appleby was the only station open between Carlisle and Hellifield. We have Michael Portillo to thank for that! 📖 I'd always had an ambition to do this in a Pacer, but it never did happen. 😐

[@DateTwoRelate]

So glad you've discovered the writings of Matthew Woodward (peeked at your bookshelf). He's no Theroux, but I enjoyed his writing nonetheless.

[@kazzicup]

Lancaster is a place I wish to visit.

[@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

I thought that from Lancaster you were going to take the one train a day to Heysham Port. Then the ferry to the Isle of Man to go on the heritage railways. Maybe next time?

[@dlittlester]

A friend took me to that viaduct back in 2013. I have a picture of myself standing at the bottom of one of those columns, and I'm just a small dot. That thing is huge, and if you read about the building of it, amazing.

[@thomascook578]

the trolleys are done in conjunction with friends of settle carlisle railway, IIRC i think friends of west highland approached abellio with the same idea, but was shot down, shocker from abellio, or maybe not

[@callumltfc]

my favourite line & my mum's local station Is Langwathby 🥰

[@georgearmstrong4731]

Pity some idiot has put parking charges at that station.

[@callumltfc]

@@georgearmstrong4731 Air B&B now sadly

[@timbounds7190]

The junction where the S&C and the Lancaster line diverge is amusingly called Clapham Junction! Presumably not many people confuse this one for the one in London.....

[@grahamallen1970]

May be its called settle junction....there is a station on the Carnforth line called Clapham that once was a junction but isn't now😊

[@pedanticradiator1491]

It's Settle Junction, Clapham Station is a little further along the line to Lancaster and was at one time a junction for the Ingleton and Lowgill branch

[@Eurobazz]

Don't forget that supreme ferroequinologist Rt. Hon. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo was instrumental in stopping the line from closing.

[@rogink]

Great wordplay!

[@a1white]

One good thing, compared to the underinvested BR days of the 80’s, is that the stations look so much nicer and well kept now.

[@robertblechle6365]

We took a train in Norway when the kids were younger , always bring cash just in case. Good fact

[@WestonMike]

It's beautiful enough in Yorkshire Dales but to me the prettiest line is St Earth to St Ives in Cornwall.

[@WestonMike]

Damn spell check. St. Erth not St. Earth.

[@iankemp1131]

Both are wonderful, just totally different types of scenery. A great relief that both were threatened with closure by British Rail but were spared.

[@BR-br3pv]

Great video, when are you going to ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

[@MidlandRailEnthusiast]

Brilliant Vlog Scott I’ve travelled from Carlisle to Settle a while back it’s a very picturesque line to travel on I highly recommend you get off at Ribblehead and walk down the road to view the viaduct from ground level it’s certainly worth the views and I certainly recommend the pub at Ribblehead too until your next Vlog keep up the good work take care and stay safe

[@peteb6112]

Another great video Scott nice to see you passed through my home town of Skipton (twice) keep up the good work

[@michaelscott7166]

It's a shame you missed Keighley out, Platform 3 and 4 are dedicated to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway which has run as a heritage line since 1968. It's also used as a filming location very regularly.

[@kenszymkowiak6437]

Is that the viaduct that figures in "The 39 Steps"? The old one, not the new?

[@user-wm2tw]

How much was the train ticket?

[@anthonygraham8838]

That would be the Eastern part of Cumbria surely?

[@jimihendrix991]

...he's Scottish... what do you expect...

[@paulmark63]

Hi Scott its Paul from lent again another Fabulous video they ran class 66 trains from Carlisle to settle have they stopped this

[@Diana-andre2018]

What a picturesque journey on this line although most of the stations, I had never heard of. Next time when I come back to the UK for a holiday, I would just love to take this train to be able to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful scenery from the train window.

[@stanley3647]

With all sympathy to S&C line - better views are at Cumbrian Coast In most of days You can spot IoM and Scotland across the sea. Sellafield is a spooky small bonus ;) Depends which type of wiev You like.

[@peternolan5353]

barber shop visit needed Scott 😊

[@KarlVaughan]

I've stayed at Settle and went to Ribblehead to see the viaduct. It's an impressive structure. And yes, those stations are beautiful up there.

[@thomasob1492]

Used to do this from Glasgow to Skipton every week for work for a year, was a nice journey. Once seen Trevor McDonald get off at Skipton on a return journey. Anyone know the connection?

[@rogink]

Was he reporting on the building society? :)

[@damienfenton3880]

I did this route a few years ago. The viaduct is a short walk from the station. You could have got off for a little excursion in the middle of the journey and got another train to continue. Seeing the viaduct up close is amazing.

[@train4905]

Im sorry for my spelling mistakes,the actual photography,was lovelly tho

[@enricomonti156]

I travelle on that service between Skipton and Carlisle and back in the evening. One of the most beautiful lines where I travelled, second only to the one between Zürich and Sargans. Would definitely do it again

[@philipridgway2783]

Scott you should carry a bit of cash with you as you never know when needed because you should've had an ice cream they are great made locally and sold to help on the upkeep of the stations. When I go on my steam charters over the route we have a water stop at Appleby and the good fund raising volunteers set up stall selling the ice creams on the platform

[@Fan652w]

Very good video. But I am a little bit disappointed that neither you nor any commentator has mentioned the Friends of the Settle and Carlisle Railway which actively promotes the line. I am NOT a member of that society. But a friend of mine who died young was very active in 'FOSKOR'. He left then quite a bit of money which it used to help pay for the complete renovation of Dent station. Whenever I see a reference to Dent station I think of John.

[@iankemp1131]

Is this England's most scenic railway line? Yes ... certainly for hill and mountain scenery. Obviously there are some in Scotland that are at least as good, and also a range of other scenically interesting lines in England (and Wales) of different types - almost anything round the Pennines or in Cornwall, for instance, and some fine coastal sections as noted in others' comments.

[@tomburke5311]

Good video, but I think you sat on the wrong side of the train. The views out to the west down Garsdale and Dentdale are better than those to the east, and the profile of Ingleborough to the west looks simply magnificent - better than Pen-y-Ghent to the east. And you just can’t get a decent view of Ribblehead viaduct from the train - you need to be out there on the fell. There are many great pictures of Ribblehead Viaduct, but I think one of the best was taken by Denis Thorpe, a photographer for the Guardian, in the 1980s. You can find it online - do a search for ‘Denis Thorpe Ribblehead’ and you’ll find several links that will take you to it.

[@crazyfroggie6546]

nice to see the old steam engine water tower at Settle. Beautiful scenery, a part of the UK ive never been to.

[@hamshackleton]

You didn't catch up with Les (Mr Carlisle) Gilpin, then? Try the other Coast line frolm Carlisle, round past Whitehaven and Sellafield.

[@imsbvs]

Scott, this is a great route to travel, very scenic, just a shame the trains are modern and "ordinary". I travelled May 2022, train to Carlisle for a couple of nights then train (advance fare, railcard) to Leeds where I caught the LNER back down south. As I had an advance ticket I couldn't alight from the train, so re-visited Settle in May 2023. I stayed a week in Wigan, drove to Settle & stopped for tea, even in the rain it's a beautiful place to visit. It was Eurovision week, got tickets for one of the Liverpool afternoon shows too! England's most scenic route, possibly, certainly steeped in history and a good move to keep the olde world charm of the stations. Must be worth visiting in winter with snow everywhere. Also think the murals on the wall next to the platform (in Carlisle) were worth a look too.