The Dalesman: From the comfort of your seat in some of the oldest working trains running today, your adventure begins! Some of these carriages ran in the golden age of railroads, some were featured in the Harry Potter movies and all have been lovingly restored. These conventional trains would be hauled by diesel for the first part of the journey, then a steam engine from Hellifield pulls the train to Carlisle.
The train stops in the historic border town of Carlisle in Cumbria for a break of approximately 2 hours. Take a stroll between the Castle and the Cathedral or perhaps visit the famous Tully House Museum – you’ll be surrounded by great places to shop, eat, or be entertained, the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
THE SETTLE TO CARLISLE LINE
First opening to passengers in 1876, the Settle – Carlisle Line takes in 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and countless scenic vistas along its 72 miles of track. This historic line runs through the stunning Pennine Hills, showcasing the English countryside at its best.
STEAM
On the trip departing from Chester:
Outbound Journey: One of the oldest steam locomotives in service today from Halifield will take charge of the spectacular journey to Carlisle. This alone is a sight to behold as the engine produces enough steam to be the highlight of your journey on the famous Settle to Carlisle line.
Return Trip: It’s steamy along the West Coast Mainline all the way to Carnforth. Passing the Lake District through Shape.
On the trip departing from York:
One of the oldest steam locomotives in service today from Hellifield, it is a sight to behold alone as the engine makes enough steam to be one of the highlights of your trip on the famous Settle to Carlisle Line.
The Dalesman – Timetable
SETTLE STATION
The station first opened in May 1876 and was originally named ‘Settle New’ to distinguish it from the nearby station on a different route, and has a beautiful large Derby Gothic style station building.
RIBBLEHEAD VIADUCT
The Ribblehead Viaduct is an impressive feat of engineering 28 miles northwest of Skipton in Yorkshire. Grade II listed structure, designed by engineer John Sidney Crossley. 1.5 million bricks were used in its construction, of which some blocks weighed 8 tons.
DENT STATION
Highest mainline railway station in England. In the past, steam engines were still able to draw water from cisterns here while still running.
DENT HEAD & ARTEN GILL VIADUCTS
Two of the most impressive structures on the line, are Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The Arten Gill Viaduct is constructed from ‘dent marble’ – a dark limestone with high fossil content and has eleven impressive arches.
BLEA MOOR TUNNEL
Located between the Ribblehead Viaduct and Dent station, it is the longest tunnel on the line. Rise Hill Tunnel. Built by the Midland Railway, it passes 500 feet below the moor after which it is named.
CARLISLE
A Scottish/England border town, the Romans established a settlement here to serve the forts of Hadrian’s Wall. Carlisle Castle has graced the city for more than 9 centuries and has seen many important moments in British history.
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