Settle & Carlisle Line

[Oscar46016]

Is there any difference between which direction you go in terms of the experience?

I haven't done it for years and then it was Leeds>Carlisle.

Thanks for any gen

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there any difference between which direction you go in terms of the experience?

I haven't done it for years and then it was Leeds>Carlisle.

Thanks for any gen

I personally prefer northbound, as you have the climb up to the summit then the coast down into Carlisle (which is in places visibly downhill). There's not much in it though.

A loop round via the WCML is nice as the Lune Gorge is in my view better!

 

[greyman42]

Regarding scenery, if you are travelling from Settle to Carlisle then sit on the right facing direction of travel. In my opinion that is the better side for scenery. If doing a return, you could sit one side one way and then swap for the return.

 

[SteveM70]

Regarding scenery, if you are travelling from Settle to Carlisle then sit on the right facing direction of travel. In my opinion that is the better side for scenery. If doing a return, you could sit one side one way and then swap for the return.

Agreed, but if possible try and sneak to the left hand side once you're in Blea Moor tunnel ready for the view across Dentdale when you emerge from the northern end

 

[greyman42]

Agreed, but if possible try and sneak to the left hand side once you're in Blea Moor tunnel ready for the view across Dentdale when you emerge from the northern end

Agreed. Both sides have some great scenery.

 

[SteveM70]

Agreed. Both sides have some great scenery.

Back to the starboard side at Garsdale

 

[Oscar46016]

Thanks folks - much appreciated.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

A loop round via the WCML is nice as the Lune Gorge is in my view better!

I concur. Out via Settle and Carlisle (to Carlisle) and then return via WCML as far as Preston, can fairly straightforwardly be done, starting from somewhere like Lancaster, Preston, Blackburn, Bradford, Leeds, or Skipton, this with an any operator 'North West Round Robin' day ticket, cost is £49.20 before any applicable discount.

 

[xotGD]

S&C, Cumbrian Coast and Bentham Line makes a nice circular. Especially when you have a Northern Delay Repay free ticket! (And when the Cumbrian Coast line is open.)

 

[Willie Bee]

If doing a return, you could sit one side one way and then swap for the return.

Not exactly correct .. you could just sit on the exact same seat on the way back .. you'd be looking out the 'other window' unless the train was travelling in reverse

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not exactly correct .. you could just sit on the exact same seat on the way back .. you'd be looking out the 'other window' unless the train was travelling in reverse

Eh? No you wouldn't, you'd be looking out of the same side moving in the opposite direction, so getting the exact same view.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I personally prefer northbound, as you have the climb up to the summit then the coast down into Carlisle (which is in places visibly downhill). There's not much in it though.

A loop round via the WCML is nice as the Lune Gorge is in my view better!

Exactly my preference too. Northbound on the SC and then head south through the Lune Gorge to Preston. Wonderful day out by train.

 

[Oscar46016]

Exactly my preference too. Northbound on the SC and then head south through the Lune Gorge to Preston. Wonderful day out by train.

Is the Lune Gorge on the ECML?

 

[Gaz67]

The best place for 40 winks is between Appleby and Carlisle, nothing to see on this stretch.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is the Lune Gorge on the ECML?

WCML, between Oxenholme and Penrith.

 

[wilbers]

Its also one of the few Northern services that sometimes has a refreshments trolley - little stone built huts at Settle and Appleby stations that it [I say it, but there are at least 2 trollies] lives in when not on a train. There is a handy list of which trains it operates on :

Settle-Carlisle On-Train Refreshment Trolley Service

The daily Refreshment Trolley operates on Northern services providing food and drink to passengers travelling the Settle-Carlisle railway.

settle-carlisle.co.uk

 

[M&NEJ]

The best place for 40 winks is between Appleby and Carlisle, nothing to see on this stretch.

If you were having 40 winks then no doubt you'd be oblivious to the Eden gorge! ...One of my favourite parts of the S&C.

 

[Iskra]

If you think any part of the Settle & Carlisle is dull, you probably aren’t looking properly. Even in poor weather it’s atmospheric and pretty much every time you travel you get a different experience due to different foliage colours and lighting conditions depending on time of year and weather conditions.

I would also say that while views are generally better looking East, the West is not without its charms. Everyone gets caught up looking East on Ribblehead viaduct, but on a clear day if you look South West you’ll be amazed how far you can see down the valley.

And I agree with those advocating a circular journey; involving the Cumbrian Coast/WCML and the Bentham line turns it into a cracking and unbeatable day out in the North of England. I could probably do that circuit forever and never tire.

 

[M&NEJ]

...And the view west is good at the confluence of the Eamont and Eden (between Culgaith and Langwathby) with the Lakeland fells on the horizon.

 

[Iskra]

...And the view west is good at the confluence of the Eamont and Eden (between Culgaith and Langwathby) with the Lakeland fells on the horizon.

And at Mallerstang Edge too.

 

[Gaz67]

If you were having 40 winks then no doubt you'd be oblivious to the Eden gorge! ...One of my favourite parts of the S&C.

Sorry I was just having a bit of fun regarding another thread on here discussing future S and C issues. I do of course agree with all the above, apologies.

 

[eastwestdivide]

I reckon northbound has a better build-up to the scenic bit, starting in urban Leeds, then views of high ground around Ilkley Moor etc, electrics and colour lights giving way to semaphores after Skipton, and finally opening up to the high and wild Pennines.

 

[Willie Bee]

Eh? No you wouldn't, you'd be looking out of the same side moving in the opposite direction, so getting the exact same view.

I was thinking ..

Take the front seat on the right, heading north ... you would be looking east

take the front seat on the right, heading south .. you would be looking west.

I am also assuming there is a front and back of the train .. but that's maybe not correct ..

So I have to agree .. I'm wrong (just don't tell my wife though)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So I have to agree .. I'm wrong (just don't tell my wife though)

rotflol!

 

[basfordlad]

I love the Bentham line personally

 

[Bletchleyite]

I love the Bentham line personally

I don't *dislike* it but I don't find it spectacular either. It's just pleasant rolling hills, a bit like the Cheshire bit of the WCML.

 

[Iskra]

I don't *dislike* it but I don't find it spectacular either. It's just pleasant rolling hills, a bit like the Cheshire bit of the WCML.

You get views of Ingleborough, so it’s a bit more than rolling ‘hills.’

 

[Jamesrob637]

An amazing railway (both S&C and that part of the WCML)

Even better on £1 tickets each way!