Settle-Carlisle Railway celebrates 150th anniversary

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train to run on the Settle Carlisle railway line.  The first passenger train travelled over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct along the 73-mile line on May 1st 1876.

To mark the anniversary, the Settle Carlisle Railway ‘family’ – Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line and Settle Carlisle Railway Trust are hosting a wide range of activities throughout the year, working with communities along the line.

This includes a new play about the Settle Carlisle line.  Local playwright Joan Barnard is working with Kirkby Stephen-based Vagabond Theatre Group, who will perform their premiere in the Public Hall, Appleby on Saturday 4 July and their second performance in The Victoria Hall, Settle on Sunday 5 July. The matinee performances will enable people to travel by train to see both performances.

More information is available on https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/