Flying Scotsman to travel on reopened Settle-Carlisle line

The Flying Scotsman. Photo: Chris Combe.

The iconic Flying Scotsman will be one of the first trains to use the reopened Settle-Carlisle line tomorrow.

The line shut at Eden Brows in February last year after the grown gave way following heavy storms at Armathwaite in Cumbria.

But it will reopen tomorrow following £23m in repairs.

The first passenger train to use the re-opened section will be the 5.50am service from Carlisle to Leeds.

Flying Scotsman will also run tomorrow between Oxenhope to Carlisle.

It can be seen at the following times:

Outward times

Oxenhope 08.30
Haworth 08.35
Keighley 09.15
Skipton 09.45
Hellifield arr. 10.08, dep. 10.45
Settle Junction 10.53
Horton-in-Ribblesdale 11.11
Ribblehead 11.23
Garsdale: 11.38
Kirkby Stephen 11.51
Appleby arr. 12.04, dep. 12.23
Lazonby 12.41
Carlisle 13.05

Return times:

Carlisle 15.35
Lazonby 16.02
Appleby arr. 16.24, dep. 16.43
Kirkby Stephen 17.02
Garsdale: 17.14
Ribblehead 17.28
Settle Junction 17.42
Hellifield arr. 17.48, dep. 18.29
Skipton arr. 18.44, dep. 19.06

Photographers are urged to keep off the track and to stay safe.

The Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line are hosting an event at Armathwaite Station to celebrate the re-opening.

There will be various stalls, a jazz band, a vintage car and free food and soft drinks provided by the Friends.  The signal box will be open to visitors.  The event is free, but donations will be welcome.

A spokesman for the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line said:Network Rail and Story Contracting have undertaken a huge repair project at Eden Brows on time and their efforts are applauded.

“We will be working hard to spread this news and encourage locals and visitors back on to the line and to the region.”

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has welcomed the news that the railway will re-open fully.

Chief executive David Butterworth said: “Clearly Network Rail was placed in a dreadful situation after the floods and landslides of last winter.

“Twenty years ago, we might have been looking at line closure beyond Appleby.  Instead, Network Rail embraced the enormous undertaking to repair the line and we are grateful that they did.

“The Settle-Carlisle line brings considerable economic, transport and environmental benefits to the National Park.  Five stations lie within the Park, Kirkby Stephen, Garsdale, Dent, Ribblehead and Horton-in-Ribblesdale, while Settle station lies just outside the boundary.

“It means that residents can have days out to market towns, while tourists can visit, without the need for a car.  I am very pleased to see the great railway reopen in time for the holiday season and wish the operator every success.”