Settle Carlisle Railway

Just got in from a "Jolly Boys Outing" trip on the Settle Carlisle Railway We couldn't have booked a better day, weather wise, and any cheaper. £10 Northern Rail voucher. Wigan to Leeds via Preston Then up to Carlisle. 2 hours in Leeds ( I haven't been to Leeds for 60 years What a fabulous CLEAN city it looks). 2 hours in Carlisle Then £10, with a rail card, on the AVANTI train back to Wigan. It's a few years since I did this trip. However got to say today, with the blue sky, not a cloud in sight. was magical. 72 miles of the best views in England. I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't done this journey to give it a try.

noted and will look into that for our jolly boys outing, Thank you

Sounds good

It is very good, especially if the weather is as good as it is now.

And if you like a drink, two Weatherspoon's within a short walk from the station in Carlisle!

I don't see any pleasure in that journey, there's to many connections and train stops.
When I did it we went on a special steam train from Preston all the way to Carlisle, we didn't have the 3-course lunch we took our M&S picnic hamper that we slowly nibbled on, other passengers were green with envy.
In Carlisle we treated ourselves to some excellent Fish & Chips and bought a big bag of M&S crisp and a bar of chocolate for the journey home.

Harold? I'm amazed with your comments?? That railway journey is the BEST rail journey for scenery in England. Without a doubt. How anyone could not appreciate the views is beyond me..
Owd Codger Yes Wetherspoons in Leeds. One on the station and there is one about 10mins walk which is the one we went in as I had been in the one of the station before. I've been in the one near the station in Carlisle. I've been in that one so many times they think I'm a local<g> I don't know what they are doing in Carlisle? but all the roads near the station, going towards the cathedral are fenced off and there are plenty of road/pavement works. Its like a maze.

Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him.

I think Big Harold may have been referring to the amount of train connections being the negativity as opposed to the scenery?

Far too many for me, also

I thought there were too many connections for that specific journey. Unless there is a shorter route available?

I am not saying I didn't enjoy it, I did, but we went on a special steam train from Preston all the way to Carlisle, which would have had more comfortable seats and wouldn't have had as many stops as you did.
And because it was a steam train every vantage point on the route was filled with men with cameras snapping away, we were also allowed off at the Dent the highest station in Britain to have a look at the engine.
I've since driven back to Dent Scarecrow festival and visited the station and was surprised at how far away the station was from Dent village

Go back to bed Maureen.

Cheshirecat Too many train connections??? Change at Preston 10 min wait for train to Leeds. A couple of hours to look around Leeds. 2 hrs in Carlisle. gives you a couple of hours to have a look around. It's not as though you are hanging around on Railway Stations.
I have been on the steam train along the route, but the train was expensive and packed and you couldn't get good views due to people stood up taking photos. The train yesterday was probably only 20% capacity so plenty of room to move around the carriage to get a better view.
The next JBO will be when the Northern Rail vouchers are out next. probably August. We will probably do the West Coast route along the coast to Carlisle. As a couple of people haven't done that particular route. Another nice journey especially if the weather is clear. with a stop over in Whitehaven or St Bede's for an hour or so.
TOM, PLS. I'll post something on here next time we are going and you are welcome to join us..I always get enough vouchers for a few people.

Thanks for that Admin but there are 4 in our jolly boys group and things often get complicated with medical appointments and other Spring/Summer jolly outings but, If it fits in, That would be great.

The Caledonian across Botchergate from JDW is also a good boozer and the prices are reasonable.

Posted by: momac (12546) View momac's page
"Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him."

Momac, he'll never change. He enjoys his superiority complex so take no notice.

On the return journey, did you get a train direct from Carlisle to Wigan, Ron?

Big Harold said, ".... bought a big bag of M&S crisp "

Tell me, Big H, why does one crisp need to be in a big bag? I'd rather have a bagful of crisps. One's not enough!

To be honest I didn't buy it the missis did.

I bet you ate it though!

cheshire, yes 17.52 AVIVA train from Carlisle to Euston. Got in Wigan at 19.20. 1 1/2hrs.. Booked with Trainline on Monday. Price £14.00 so we got 1/3 off that price about £10.00... So the whole day out cost about £20.00 plus a couple of beers.
I had originally planned to go on the 8.10am train from Wigan to Preston This would have cost another £2 as the Northern Rail vouchers are only valid after 8.45am This would have enabled us to stop off at one of the stations on the Settle Carlisle line for an hour and then catch the next train. However a friend of a friend who was coming, said that was too early for him!!!! So I changed it to the 9.10am train and guess what.... he never turned up.. It's a good job I hadn't booked the Northern rail tickets, I only booked them at the NW station before we caught the Preston train. as instead of owing me £14.00 (He didn't have a rail card) He would have owed me another £10 I don't know what sort of life he leads if he thinks 8.00am is early????

If those who did the trip out and enjoyed the experience of going on the Settle and Carlisle line which includes going over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, why should any cost or changes of trains it bother those who did not?

Oh, and another enjoyable train day out is catch a train from Piccadilly to Buxton, a bus or taxi to Rowsley for the Preserved Peak Rail line to Matlock, a train to Derby then to Sheffield and back via the Hope Valley line to Piccadilly.

osted by: momac (12546) View momac's page
Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him.

have you never read some of Tonkers posts?


Posted by: mollie m (8526) View mollie m's page

Posted by: momac (12546) View momac's page
"Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him."

Momac, he'll never change. He enjoys his superiority complex so take no notice.

a bit like the poster who you follow around like a lost puppy

Posted by: basil brush (19983)

osted by: momac (12546) View momac's page
Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him.

have you never read some of Tonkers posts?


Posted by: mollie m (8526) View mollie m's page

Posted by: momac (12546) View momac's page
"Does anyone know a bigger braggart than mick Harold..??? Him."

Momac, he'll never change. He enjoys his superiority complex so take no notice.

"a bit like the poster who you follow around like a lost puppy"

Aw Basil. How nice of you to follow me around as well, and hang on to my every word. It’s so refreshing to know that you care so much about what I have to say and who I choose to chat with. Hope you're keeping notes.

do you like cats, mollie?

edited so it doesn't sound nasty

Just been checking TRAINLINE for prices for the West Coast route to Carlisle, via Barrow etc. Going end of April.. I just choose Tuesday the 29th .but I would image its similar prices for other days.. You can do the trip with a stop off at Whitehaven or St.Bees( or wherever takes your fancy). for an hour or two. For a total cost, which includes coming back from Carlisle on the 17.42pm or 17.52pm AVIVA train to Wigan for £23.50 If you have a rail card that would reduce the cost to about £16.00.. However you need to book separate tickets for each stop off.. Took me about 1/2 hour to work out the trains, times and stop overs, at various places en route. But hey that's no big deal. It's only an extra click on the keyboard<g>
If anyone wants the train times, cost etc. let me know and I'll send them.

England weather forecast for Tuesday, 29 April 2025

https://www.weather25.com/europe/united-kingdom?page=date&date=29-4

Harold as I said it was just a random date. There appears to be nicer the days in the previous week

Posted by: basil brush (19984)
"are you a cat hater, mollie?"

Just out of curiosity, Basibrush. Why did you ask that question?

just being nosey, i am sure someone mentioned it on here

Curiosity killed the Pussycat

And satisfaction brought it back to life