Robert Hampton

Settle & Carlisle

This route is one of my favourite railway lines to travel on. For a short period in 2003/4, there was an extra attraction, a regular locomotive-hauled train service, formed of 4 Mk2 coaches “top and tailed” by class 37 locomotives. On 22nd March 2004 I took a ride on this train, returning on the more usual Class 156 later on.

	Start of journey. Aigburth station in the suburbs of Liverpool, as 508 114 arrives with a service to Hunts Cross.
	Class 142 Pacer at Hunts Cross with a service to Warrington Central, from where I would pick up the TransPennine service to Leeds.
	One of the top'n'tail locos, 37 411 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society at Leeds.
	Picture of the nameplate on 37 411.
	Settle station.
	Some views from the train.
	The weather was very changeable and clouds made for an “interesting” sky.
	More views from the train.
	Parts of the line pass through very isolated places.
	Some more views.
	Rolling hills and farmland.
	Livestock at the side of the line seem unconcerned by the passing train.
	Line speed is quite low, so you have plenty of time to appreciate the scenery.
	37 408 Loch Rannoch was 411's partner.
	Another view of 37 408 at Carlisle.
	156 471, still in Northern Spirit colours but with Arriva logos, at Carlisle.
	Virgin Voyager on a northbound service at Carlisle.
	Strathclyde-liveried 156 510 at Carlisle.
	Some scenes in Carlisle city centre. This is the cathedral.
	Carlisle castle.
	Entrance to Carlisle station.
	Another Strathclyde-liveried 156.
	142 086 awaits its next duty as a confused old lady looks on.
	Return journey now, and a rainbow can be seen from the train!
	Langwathby station.
	Appleby station, like all of the stations on this line, is well-maintained.
	You definitely get the sense that the rail staff are proud of the line.
	Dent station, the highest mainline railway station in England.
	Horton-in-Ribblesdale station.
	Settle is another well-appointed station.
	The weather cleared up on the return journey.