Northern customers invited to take a trip on ‘one of the world’s most scenic’ railways 150 years after it opened

Campaign for Better Transport are inviting people to join them on a Northern service which travels along the full length of the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line on Tuesday, 17 June.

Volunteers with an in-depth knowledge of the line will be on board to greet everyone and tell them about its fascinating history.

Passengers can also take in stunning views of the Pennine Hills, the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria's Eden Valley during the journey along the route, which opened 150 years ago following an extremely challenging and complex construction project involving 6,000 men.

The Northern service, which calls at stations including Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Garsdale, Appleby and Armathwaite, also runs over the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

It is one of the best performing routes on the Northern network, with 99% of trains running between Leeds and Carlisle without cancellation in April 2025.

The trip is taking place during Campaign for Better Transport's Better Transport Week (June 16 to 22), an annual celebration of how public transport can help connect communities and bring people together.

It also coincides with Railway 200 – the nationwide celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.  

Alex Hornby, Northern’s commercial and customer director, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a journey steeped in history and is one of the UK's most iconic and scenic railway routes.

“Our Settle-Carlisle line, one of the most punctual on our network, provides vital connections to people in rural communities and is highly popular with tourists who want to ditch the car and enjoy some of the most stunning scenery in the country. 

“Trains run all year round, with ever changing scenery throughout the year, so if you can’t make it next week, we'd love to welcome you on board another time.”

Michael Solomon Williams, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “It will be fantastic to travel on the Settle to Carlisle route to mark Better Transport Week.

"The railways form a key part of the country’s public transport network, helping to connect communities and bring people together.

"Not only is Settle to Carlisle widely acknowledged to be the most scenic stretch of rail track in England, the fact that it still exists is testament to the hard work and dedication of a group campaigners - including Campaign for Better Transport -  who worked to prevent its closure, ensuring people can continue to enjoy one the country’s greatest train rides for generations to come.”

The Settle to Carlisle section of the line, which opened in 1875, covers 74 miles and features 14 tunnels and more than 20 viaducts.

British Rail sparked a backlash when it announced plans to close the line to passengers in 1983, amid concerns about the cost of repairing the Ribblehead Viaduct.

But Minister of State for Transport Michael Portillo agreed to step in and save the line, after campaigns run by activists from Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line and Campaign for Better Transport were backed by a swell of public support.

The charity are inviting people to join them on the service which departs from Leeds at 3.18pm on June 17 and arrives in Carlisle at 5.59pm.

Passengers can also take part in Campaign for Better Transport's Scenic Rail View competition.

Those who share photographs of stunning views from their train seat on social media with the hashtag #ScenicRailView are in with a chance of winning £100 in rail travel vouchers. 

Tickets can be bought on the Northern website and app, or at ticket vending machines and station ticket offices.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.