It was a challenge in selecting the view to open this page. I'm sure we all have memories that we can relate to the Settle & Carlisle route. This view captures a few of those memories, from the classic diesel traction that for over three decades travelled up and down these rails. To the wonderful weather that frequently graced this route, rain, drizzle, mist and snow. And to the jointed rail, the semaphore signals, the telegraph poles & wires. And to the classic northern scenery, of rolling hills, spectacular backdrops, all surrounded by those drystone walls that seemed to go on forever.

And this view features the human element, our storyteller Michael is in the cab of the Class 25, whilst the photographer, Stephen worked in a permanent way gang that covered parts of the Settle & Carlisle route. This page contains memories from both Michael and Stephen, those memories from Stephen are identified by (SH). And of course this view is of D7672 on its historic working over the S&C during February 1990. The view is taken from Settle Junction signalbox. For a larger view of the above picture click here.

North West from Leeds

The plethora of lines radiating from Leeds allowed for the crews from Holbeck to gain route knowledge over many lines. This included perhaps one of the most famous lines in all of England, the former Midland Railway route that runs between Leeds and Carlisle, literally over the top of England. This page is anchored with the views taken by Michael during his time working over this route, along with views from other photographers, with memories provided by Michael of happenings over the route.

The splendour of the route is certainly not apparent as one waits at Leeds City for a service to Carlisle. The built up urban area that was a powerhouse of Victorian industry lingers for many miles on either side of the line. The route stays close to the River Aire and it is not until the train has passed beyond Keighley before the Yorkshire scenery so familiar with the Settle & Carlisle starts to unfold.

For the purposes of this text the 'Up line' refers to trains heading towards London, the 'Down line' services are heading northwards to Carlisle.

This page originally contained the route from Leeds to Settle Junction, this has now transferred to a new page which includes the route to Morecambe and lines to Bradford. (March 2007)

Settle Junction & Settle
Settle station - 41.5 miles from Leeds, 71.5 miles from Carlisle

At Settle Junction two route diverge, the Settle & Carlisle line beginning its famous climb to Ais Gill, whilst the former Midland Railway route to Morecambe & Heysham heads off to the west. Both routes were worked by Holbeck crews.

	Looking eastwards towards Hellifield at Settle Junction on September 25th 1985. The lines to the left are those of the Settle & Carlisle route. This junction was modified during the 1970's after a freight train derailed here and tore up the junction. The signalbox was peppered with flying debris & ballast as this train derailed. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Settle Junction Box on May 11th 1986 looking northwestwards. The rusty rails show this is the first working of the day, a Dalesrail working to Appleby for the benefit of hikers. Lets hope the rain holds off for those hardy souls. And in case you wondered, the Landrover on the right belongs to the signalman on duty, Arthur Ashton. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Settle Junction Box diagram on May 1st 1988. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker.

On the morning of December 7th 1978 Driver George Cuthbertson and myself were on the 6M75 Ribblehead job (diagram 608, the return working was the 6E54), the locomotive was 40003, which I remember well, because it was the first time I'd seen a Class 40 with a 'funny looking' train brake handle. This locomotive was 'vacuum only' and the brake handle was chrome with a 'trigger', which you squeezed to apply the brake, only the first ten of these locomotives had this type of brake handle. On relieving the Healey Mills men at Holbeck, George asked me if I was ok with the road, my reply was yes. George then said 'Remember, if you don't know, ask!' So off we went, all was going well until we reached Settle Junction where the distant was at caution, so I slowed the train down to come to a stand at Settle Junction's Home signal, the junction signal.

Now George was otherwise engaged, and when I looked around the signalman had just pulled off the 'Left Hander' to Morecambe, which was the wrong route. After a minute he put the signal back to danger, then pulled it off again, so I nudged George who could be a bit 'firey', so it was a gentle operation, waking him up! When he came to he asked me what the matter was, so I explained that the signalman kept 'pulling off the wrong signal'. And as I said that, sure enough, the signal came 'off' again for the Morecambe Branch, so George stepped down from the locomotive to go to the signal telephone, as I was watching he was holding the telephone at arms length from his ear! Within seconds he rammed the phone back into the socket and made his way to the signalbox. From where I was sitting in the driver's seat you could just see into the box, all I saw were two pairs of arms flying about.

After what seemed like ages, a very angry, red faced George came back to the locomotive, I sat there very quiet (unusual for me), and again the Left Hander came off for Morecambe. George went on to explain that we had a faulty wagon with the axles running hot, so we were to put it into the siding, which explained the reason for pulling off the Morecambe branch signal but as George had told the signalman, how on earth do we know what to do when you have apparently pulled off the 'wrong' signal. George went on to tell me the signalman was very very angry, ready to blow a blood vessel, he also told me not to look at him when we pass the signalbox. So on informing the guard in what we were going to do, we set about the shunt and eventually left the wagon in the siding. As we passed the signalbox the signalman came onto the verandah, he was in full voice, calling us every name he could think of, including some weird names that I'd have never heard of.

With the manouevre completed we coupled up to our train and with the correct signal set for the Carlisle line, off we went, passing the signalbox again, the signalman came out with all guns blazing, George, by now was very angry. On our return journey we were stopped at Settle Station, a signal inspector came onboard and began asking questions about the situation at Settle Junction earlier that morning. So George told him his version, the signal inspector went on to tell us that the signalman in question had suffered some sort of breakdown and had been taken to hospital.

Approaching Settle station on the down line. The signal box is closed, the signal arms are removed. The signal box now stands on the right hand side of the fence. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

(SH) During the early morning of Sunday May 26th 1991 the gang were required to go up to Settle to remove some rail defects in a section of long welded rail. This required the use of the welders to cut into the rail and then weld up the replacement section of rail. This was done by placing the welding pot onto the rail and heating up the material before dropping the weld from the pot into a mould attached to the two pieces of rail. I was the look-out so was some distance from the location of the welding job. After the welders had dropped the weld they placed the welding pot in the six foot.

One of the gang was coming my way, showing concern that the welding pot was bellowing out quite a lot of black smoke. Then in the blink of an eye there was a bright orange flash immediately followed by an almighty bang with sparks flying everywhere. This resulted in setting fire to the embankments on both sides of the track! This event was followed by the gang taking off their orange high visibility vests and using them to smother the flames. I walked up to the site of the explosion and found a crater in the ballast about eighteen inches deep with a circumference of six feet. In eighteen years on the railway I can say thankfully that is the only time I've witnessed such an event. Because of this I've been very cautious in handling warm welding pots.

Looking west from Settle Junction showing the split of the route to Carnforth (left) and to Ribblehead (right). For the record the Parcels Units are 55967, 55966, 55979, 55969 & bring up the rear is BG 92181 on working 5J07 on May 4th 1986. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker

On a now long forgotten day sometime prior to 1977 we arrived at Settle Junction with our train stopped due to snowy conditions. After a short while I went up to Settle Junction signal box to sign the register in accordance with the Rulebook. Conversation ensued with the signalman and a can of tea was brewed. We were soon joined by my driver, in the mean time two Class 25's sandwiched between snowploughs turned up, our journey up the S&C looked like it was going to be heavily delayed. However after discussion with the signalman we were to be sent north via Shap, this was definately turning out to be an interesting day!

My driver knew the road to Carnforth, here we picked up a Carnforth conductor and set out for Shap and Carlisle. Our return was over the more normal S&C route, we had a Class 40. In many places the snow was a foot or so above the rails, you could hear the snow rumbling under the locomotive, my driver providing much assurance that we weren't about to come off the road - what a day that was, and no camera!!

On the southbound trip my driver had dipped into his memories of the route, including some tales going back to the days of steam. One in particular related to the obtaining of a Christmas tree by the train crew as part of the holiday decorations. This required the train to be stopped in section a little longer than normal, so that the tree might be 'acquired'. The next day an explanation was required for this, the driver explaining he'd sneezed and lost his teeth, so they stopped and went back to look for them!

Just another sunny day at Settle Junction - July 29th 1981.

Wednesday July 29th 1981 dawned clear and sunny across much of the United Kingdom. Which was perhaps a good thing for the estimated 600,000 people lining the streets of London, and the estimated 750 million TV viewers tuning in to watch the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. Although it had been declared a public holiday the railways still had a job to do and these views taken at Settle Junction show that it was pretty much business as usual.

	A glorious view of 47475 and its nine coaches as it approaches Settle Junction. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare
	In the opposite direction comes 47519, looks like the driver has opened up the throttle as the train begins its 1 in 100 climb to Ais Gill. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare
	47122 passes Settle Junction signal box heading north. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare
	The light is growing hazy& weak with the shadows lengthening as 45059 accelerates past Settle Junction signal box, the junction signal towards the rear of the train showing, as expected that this train is for the Settle & Carlisle route. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare

Helwith Bridge

A fine period view of 7518 with a typical goods train, on the Down line in the Helwith Bridge/Selside section. Just visible in the background are the Helwith Bridge starter/section signals with the Selside distant underneath. The Class 25 still sports its original, circular exhaust port. Photograph courtesy John Hancock

Horton-in-Ribblesdale
46.5 miles from Leeds, 65.5 miles from Carlisle

After leaving Settle the line takes a generally northerly route following the ever diminishing River Ribble.

	May 27th 1987 the closed Horton box viewed from the Up line - the reason for the closure of the box is clearly evident with the removal of the sidings. Just in view to the left is the remains of the cattle dock. This location had sidings on both sides of the running lines. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	A view of the track diagram inside Horton in Ribblesdale signal box on March 30th 1986. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker.
	From the cab of 45010 (see Ribblehead story below) Horton in Ribblesdale is approached from the north.
	A wintry view of 47631 and its twelve coach train as it coasts southbound through Horton in Ribblesdale. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker.
	Two trains stand opposite Horton signal box, the Class 31 on the 'Up line' with the 'Skipton' tripper and the Class 25 on the 'Down line' heading towards Carlisle. The signal in the distance is Horton's 'section signal' and the tall signal near the Class 25 is his 'home signal', the sidings to the right of the Class 25 are to the quarry, sometimes when you were on a heavy freight, the signalman would back you into the sidings to let an express pass. The 9T85 locomotive came off Holbeck at 05.19 on a Monday to work the Skipton 'tripper', (these were Skipton Men) and 8M14 is a Tinsley - Carlisle freight with Skipton Men or possibly Carlisle men returning home. Photograph courtesy Malcolm Roughley.

Ribblehead

The viaduct at Ribblehead is the largest visible feature on the Settle & Carlisle route, however when scaled against the surrounding geographical features of Whernside, Ingleborough and the rolling expanses of moorland this testament to Victorian engineering is brought down to size somewhat.

	Ribblehead Viaduct on November 15th 1986, taken from the slopes of Whernside. A timeless scene of the viaduct's twenty four arches, it could be almost anytime in its history, except for the presence of the scaffolding! Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker
	With the bulk of Whernside in the background 47584 notches up after its train has cleared Ribblehead viaduct. This is the 16.15 1M86 Glasgow - Nottingham, normally routed over the WCML, but this day diverted over the S & C. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker
	Its Sunday May 4th 1986 as 47612 starts to accelerate the diverted 1M46 16.05 Glasgow - Euston past Ribblehead station. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker

A number of trains were operated by British Rail for their own internal purposes, these frequently proved to be some of the heaviest operated on BR and featured a great variety of rolling stock. One such train is detailed below, that of a roundtrip ballast working from Healey Mills to Ribblehead. This was a daily weekday working.

This ballast working began in the early hours of February 2nd 1985 with the booking on of a Healey Mills crew at Healey Mills at 02.50. Departure from Healey Mills down departures was at 03.20, arriving at Hunslet Down Yard at 04.00 with the train held here until a Holbeck crew became available. Which of course was myself, having booked on at Holbeck at 05.15 under Diagram 317 and walking up to signal 87 (outside Holbeck under the viaduct), relieving the Healey Mills men here at 05.40. The Healey Mills crew went back home 'on the cushions'. It took but five minutes to change crews and then we were off with the 6M75 to Ribblehead with twenty one empty ballast wagons. Arrival at Ribblehead was at 07.30, reversing into the yard west of the running lines where a loader began filling the ballast wagons. Departure time depended on how quickly the ballast wagons could be filled.

On this day departure was at 10.00 as the 6E54 back to Healey Mills. However it was first necessary to run north to Blea Moor to be able to run round the train. Blea Moor was reached at 10.10, departing at 10.25 and reaching Leeds 871 signal at 14.15 where a Healey Mills crew were waiting to relieve us. Then it was a quick walk back to Holbeck depot.

The right hand view shows the typical uniform worn by the train crew during the 1980's, some of the older drivers still preferred the 'flat caps' & 'boiler suits' reminiscent of the steam era. On one red hot summer's day during 1976 Michael had arrived at Birmingham New Street to pick up a Leeds bound service. After the train stopped the driver stepped out of the cab dressed in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals. This was a problem because we had a Traction Inspector with us who was none to pleased by the attire of this driver from down south. He got a telling off from the inspector, but a shortage of train crew at some depots caused management to look the other way, but over time management took a firmer line in the attire worn by their train crews. And as Michael points out why wear out your own clothes when the company provided you with a uniform.

The morning of February 2nd 1985 proved to be a little misty in the Yorkshire Dales with a weak morning sun breaking through as 45010 arrived at Ribblehead sidings to load up twenty one bogie wagons of ballast for delivery to Healey Mills Yard. The locomotive and crew would spend about two and a half hours here whilst the train was loaded, allowing Michael to obtain a few views of the operation, including a fine self portrait. Unfortunately for 45010 time was running short, by the end of the following month (March 28th 1985) it would be retired and put out to pasture at Toton.

	After the train had been loaded it was necessary to make the short trip to Blea Moor to run round, this view shows the single track crossing Ribblehead (Whernside, in the background is lost in the morning mists). There has been much talk of putting it back to double track, so far this has not materialised.
	At Blea Moor the train was run round, in this view the train is in the 'Up' loop approaching the signalbox.
	A couple of years have gone by since the above views, the Class 45's are in their last year of service and are very popular on the railtour circuit. Here 45128 & 45007 wait at Ribblehead on September 26th 1987 with a railtour. It looks like the track into the ballast sidings has received considerable upgrading since the 1985 views! Photograph courtesy Ian Hammond
	08794 parked at Holbeck. In the background is a Class 31 standing at signal 871, the location where the southbound Ribblehead ballast working changed crews. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye

Ribblehead Viaduct

	Its January 15th 1977 and there's a modest covering of snow on the ground as 45001 heads north approaching Ribblehead viaduct. Whernside is lost in the whiteout.
	A view from the cab of a DMU as it approaches Ribblehead Viaduct on August 14th 1989. Ahead lies the bulk of Whernside. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye

(SH) In October 1989 British Rail set about the task of waterproofing Ribblehead Viaduct which required closing the line down for several days. For me it was a chance to finally get to work on this famous structure. Six months earlier I had joined the railways, my first position was with the Clitheroe permanent way gang, and I was now coming to the end of my probationary period, and determined not to let myself down. Little did I know that this shift was going to prove to be a tough & memorable one.

It was the Sunday afternoon of October 29th and having picked up the gang at Clitheroe it was off to Ribblehead station. On arrival things seemed to be going well, getting out of the crew bus we were required to walk the last stretch to the viaduct, the track had been lifted so there was no shuttle service of any kind!

When we reached the site the ballast was being levelled and we were instructed that the crane being propelled by a Class 47 was to bring the 60ft track panels to our location, we would then bar the panels into position and plate them up.

By now it was starting to go dark with the rain getting harder and the wind getting stronger. I was instructed to go to Skipton to pick up a driver and guard to relieve the current crew on the Class 47. So it was back over the mostly darkened viaduct, the temporary strip lights on the parapet walls made the trudge back a little easier. Coming with me back to Skipton were the crew off the Class 47. I remember the guard had to catch a train from Skipton back to Healey Mills, telling me to put my foot down and step on it. Always obey the last order!! I can still see his face as he left the crew bus outside the front of Skipton station. His hat was at a funny angle and he seemed to be walking sideways, a bit like Norman Wisdom, his comments to me were very colourful!

With the replacement crew on the bus it was now a steady run back to Ribblehead, with the wind getting up and the rain lashing against the windscreen. Not the best of roads to be driving on. Back at Ribblehead I donned my wet weather gear, which was clearly not up to the job demanded of it. The rain gear which was not easy to move in consisted of a heavy long plastic orange coat and a sou'wester hat.

Walking down the track from the station to the viaduct I could feel the wind blowing me about, definately rough weather. The strip lights on the parapet walls were visible, highlighting the rain blowing over the walls as it hit the viaduct from the west. It was like looking at a wind tunnel although when I got onto the viaduct I couldn't feel any wind or rain. Now I've heard the tales on the Settle & Carlisle about a man falling off the viaduct only for the wind to blow him back on the other side, and of the turntable at Garsdale when the wind got hold of an engine which was being turned, the spinning locomotive only being stopped by the shovelling ballast into the turntable pit. I was now beginning to wonder whether there was any truth in these stories as this was a damn rough night.

Continuing through the wind & rain the distant orange glow of the brake van on the back of the ballast train came into view. To anyone who has ever seen a brake van and thought they were basic and uninviting, well trust me this one was a very welcome sight. The gale force wind assisted me in climbing on board the brake van. Opening the door I was greeted by the lads who had got the stove going and were keeping warm between sharing shifts of dropping the ballast. The biggest surprise however was to be greeted by a dog curled up in front of the stove keeping warm. A quick cup of tea, and then it was out onto the back of the ballast wagon to drop some stone.

Somehow the parapet of the viaduct had minimised the full force of the wind & rain but climbing up onto the ballast wagon brought me into the full fury of this stormy night. The wind and rain was really lashing at my face as I rode up and down the track turning the wheel on the hoppers to let the ballast out, the ploughs on the brake van were used to level the ballast. The job was running late and by the time we got back to Ribblehead station it was 00.30 on the Monday morning, three hours behind schedule. The Ribblehead gang were based in the then decrepit Ribblehead station and the last I saw of that dog was when one of the Ribblehead gang lads put it in the station building and locked the door behind it and said "We'll see it tomorrow morning and find its owners."

I still don't know to this day what happened to that dog so if any of the then Ribblehead gang reading this or anyone else who knows then please let me know! As for me I passed my six months probationary period with flying colours - I earned my stripes that night, and have worked on the railways for nearly 18 years, now working on the former Midland Railway at Chinley. I feel honoured and privileged to have been able to spend five years of my career working on the Settle & Carlisle line.

Re-opening celebrations for Ribblehead viaduct on October 30th 1989. The DMU provided for the celebration is more than likely to be 975539, ex-56101, the ER Inspection saloon. And what grand weather they had for this occasion! Photograph collection of webmaster.

Blea Moor
53.5 miles from Leeds, 59.5 miles from Carlisle

Blea Moor signalbox on May 27th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

The remoteness of Blea Moor signalbox has some disadvantages, not the least of which was that it had no supply of running water, all water required by the signalman had to be brought in by rail. One such working involved Holbeck crews working an early morning empty DMU from Leeds to Skipton. Here the Leeds guard was swapped for a Skipton guard and the loaded water cans were taken on board. The DMU continued on empty to Blea Moor where the loaded cans were exchanged for the empties. The return run south was an all stations to Leeds. I well remember one passenger joining at Ribblehead and asking if the service would be making a profit. The answer was a definate yes, by Skipton it was standing room only and by Keighley the guards compartment would be filled up too! Even today this is a profitable service frequently using two 156 units.

On one trip up to Blea Moor it was a bitterly cold morning, when the wind seemed just to pass right through you. On reaching Blea Moor I walked backed to the guards compartment to find the Skipton guard huddled up around the very small heater with his heavy coat on - the main heating had failed. Which was not noticed by me since the cab heating comes directly off the engines. The southbound trip was made with the guard thawing nicely in the cab, everyone else got a free ride.

	A southerly view of Blea Moor signalbox taken sometime during the first half of 1983. 25247 handles a ballast working, possibly completing the runround manouevre referenced in the story above about 45010? Photograph courtesy E A Wood.
	Blea Moor, November 15th 1986 - well I'm sure there's an explanation for this, but right now I can't find it! The end of the axle is stamped with a number, the date 9/46 and the intials LMS. Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker.