Starting in Leicester, and pausing for passengers at East Midlands Parkway, Chesterfield, Doncaster and Leeds, the train leaves the bustle of towns beind as it heads northwest towards the border town of Carlisle.
From Skipton, the Settle and Carlisle Railway awaits, famed for its beauty within the rolling landscape of the Dales and North Pennines. This stretch of railway demonstrates the skill and determination of Victorian civil engineering prowess in challenging and inhospitable terrain. Highlights of the journey include Tornado hard at work to complete the climb to Ais Gill summit, the highest point of the line at 1,169ft, and Dent Station is the highest in England at 1150ft. To accommodate for the rolling landscape, the railway was built along many viaducts and cuts through long tunnels, the longest tunnel at Blea Moor is over two miles long! One of the most iconic sights on the route is the Ribblehead Viaduct; the 24 arches stretch a quarter of a mile over 100ft above the ground and offer spectacular uninterrupted views of the landscape.
The northern most section of the Settle and Carlisle Railway takes us through The Eden Valley. This is one of the most picturesque sections of the route with wooded valleys and open vistas following the course of the River Eden. Passengers can enjoy travelling through the lush green landscape and the views of the Lakeland Fells.
'The Ribblehead Rambler' returns via its outward route, crossing the Settle and Carlisle line in both directions. Much is said of the beauty and scale of this railway, but to fully appreciate it, it must be experienced first-hand!