'THE SETTLE-CARLISLE TOURIST TRAIN EXPERIENCE' - Skipton to Appleby and Carlisle and return, calling at Hellifield and Settle. click here for 2008 dates
These trains are specifically designed to offer the visitor to the line an experience of the famous Settle-Carlisle line which currently is unavailable. The carriages will be fully equipped with tables for everyone in a pattern of four people in Standard Class and some with tables of two in First Class. The carriages also have opening windows at each table which can allow a better overall experience on the day. There will also be the opportunity to have lunch on board the train as it progresses over the line towards Ribblehead. With the assistance of volunteers, there will be train guides available to give commentary along the route and to be generally available for questions from the passenger.
The locomotives used will be taken from the pool of engines kept at the Carnforth depot of West Coast Railway Company and will include Class 33s, 37s and 47s. They will 'top and tail' the train throughout.
Departure times are: Skipton 10.38, Hellifield 10.54 and Settle 11.08, arrive Appleby 12.02 and Carlisle 12.43.
Return times are Depart Carlisle 15.35 and Appleby 16.25 with arrival at Settle 17.21, Hellifield 17.33 and Skipton 17.51.
The fare structure:
Standard Class Adult £25, Child under 15 years £18
Family ticket of four £75
First Class Adult £45, Child under 15 years £30
Family of four £135
Lunch in First Class Adult £60, Child under 15 years £50
Britain's Most Spectacular Railway
We start our journey at Skipton and call at Hellifield and Settle before embarking on a scenic route with such variety. The section of the line from Settle Junction is the most stunning and is known as 'The Long Drag' by railwaymen for its steep gradient. Look out to the right as we pass over the famous 24-arched viaduct at Ribblehead and then plunge into Blea Moor tunnel, at 2269 yards long, the longest on the whole route. Passengers will get another marvellous view as the train pulls out of Blea Moor and into the Dentdale area. We have two majestic viaducts to cross here; Dent Head and Arten Gill, before passing through Englandˆs highest main line station at Dent. As we approach Garsdale you will see the layout of a junction station here of long ago. The old route to Hawes is just visible to the right. Appleby is still some way off as we climb at 1 in 100 towards the summit of the line at Ais Gill before entering the openness of Mallerstang. The delightful station at Kirkby Stephen is passed through - we are well on our way now and travel on to Appleby and Carlisle where we have a break before we return via the same route.
Destinations
There is much to see and do at both Appleby and the city of Carlisle. Our arrival at Appleby at roughly 12.00am will give the passenger about five hours in this lovely market town. The route down to the town from the station takes about 10 minutes, but do allow more time to get back, as the walk up to the station is a little steep! There is much to see here, including the marvellous Moot Hall in the town centre.
Carlisle is England's border city with Scotland and is reached at 12.45. As you leave the station you will see the city walls immediately in front of you. Why not take a guided walk around the city with one of the specially arranged guides? These walks will take you around this historic city taking in the ancient buildings, cathedral, castle and other historic buildings and features. If shopping is your forte, we have special offer vouchers to give away from some of the leading retailers in the city! We depart from Carlisle at 16.35 and Appleby at 16.25.
A Perfect Short Break
The excursion over the Settle-Carlisle Railway provides a truly perfect short break. Why not arrange a visit to Yorkshire, and more particularly the Yorkshire Dales, where you can enjoy the luscious countryside and fascinating villages, and of course the world-famous Settle - Carlisle Line. There are plenty of good places to stay. Hellifield is close to Skipton, known as 'the gateway to the Dales' and is roughly half way between this market town and Settle (along the A65 main road) which is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Please see the list of Tourist Information Centres, which can help you with accommodation.
Hellifield
Hellifield was a very important station in old railway times. It was a junction station with lines from Manchester and Blackburn and those from Bradford and Leeds converging at this relatively remote location in the old West Riding of Yorkshire. Built over 125 years ago, Hellifeld station was completely renovated in the early 1990s with over £500,000 worth of grants from local sources pus those from the Railway Heritage Trust. Today Kingfisher Railtours operate the station, along with Northern Rail, with the addition of the tea rooms so long associated with this once-important junction station. The station is thesedays also a base for ecursions for the Settle-Carisle Line run by Kingfisher. Ample parking is available in the yard opposite the station building which is accessed by Waterside Lane off the A65 - please do not use Station Road, as this is a residential road and not suitable for road traffic.
Accommodation and Information
The local Tourist Information Centres can advise on places to stay during your visit.
Skipton 01756 792809
Settle 01729 825192
Horton in Ribblesdale 01729 860333
Kirkby Stephen 017683 71199
Appleby 017683 51177
Carlisle 01228 512444
Getting there
Skipton is very easy to find with regular train services from West Yorkshire and a large Car Park in the station area. We encourage passengers who join at Skipton, Hellifield or Settle to arrive by train if at all possible. Regular services are operated by Northern Rail, who can be contacted via their website or via train enquiries on 08457 484950. Pennine Buses also operate between Skipton and Settle, calling in at Hellifield. If you arrive by road transport, please access the Car Park via Waterside Lane, approximately one mile west of Hellifield village along the A65 trunk road. Car parking is totally free.
Dates:
Friday 8th August 2008 - click for full details and secure online booking >>>
Friday 22nd August 2008 - click for full details and secure online booking >>>
Friday 29th August 2008 - click for full details and secure online booking >>>
Friday 5th September 2008 - click for full details and secure online booking >>>
Friday 12th September 2008 - click for full details and secure online booking >>>
