Settle to Carlisle - views on views

[WesternLancer]

Hi all

Planning to do the through Nottingham to Carlisle via Leeds S&C Northern service soon.

Couple of things I'd welcome views on:

1) For the route north of Skipton which side of the train do people generally reckon offers the best things to see - looking east or west? (I've never been able to make my mind up on this so wondered what others favoured) - not just landscape but range of interesting railway stuff to see would be pertinent to me. I accept that maybe it's just both sides are good over the whole duration.

2) Also - how many times would the DMU reverse on the journey? I seem to recall no reversals after Leeds, but how many would there be before then? (inc one at Leeds itself maybe) - perhaps Leeds is the only one?

Hope this is the right forum theme for such a question.

 

[DarloRich]

no reversals - unless you are on a service that originates in Nottingham when a reversal at Leeds will be required. ( if they still run)

Views: Does not matter. All superb!

 

[philjo]

The views on both sides are good. if travelling southbound I tend to sit on the left (east) side as you then can see the Ribblehead viaduct ahead of you due to the curve.

 

[Condor7]

I travel from time to time from Leeds or Shipley and can never make up my mind which side to sit. If pushed I would say on the right going north. As mentioned you get the view of Ribblehead Viaduct but also that extra bit of distance across the other track gives you better views of the stations and, as you put it, “interesting railway stuff” including Blea Moor sidings and signal box.

The down side is you can’t see as clearly the branch into the quarry which often has a loco and wagons there, and like wise the sidings at Ribblehead station but that only gets occasional use.

As far as views are concerned either is stunning and could not decide between them.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks folks - all good info.

no reversals - unless you are on a service that originates in Nottingham when a reversal at Leeds will be required. ( if they still run)

Yes, it's a sunday only through train - obv the successor (probably not the remnant of however...) of the Thames - Clyde Express

So I guess only the one reversal at Leeds

 

[WesternLancer]

I travel from time to time from Leeds or Shipley and can never make up my mind which side to sit. If pushed I would say on the right going north. As mentioned you get the view of Ribblehead Viaduct but also that extra bit of distance across the other track gives you better views of the stations and, as you put it, “interesting railway stuff” including Blea Moor sidings and signal box.

The down side is you can’t see as clearly the branch into the quarry which often has a loco and wagons there, and like wise the sidings at Ribblehead station but that only gets occasional use.

As far as views are concerned either is stunning and could not decide between them.

Good point, as aren't most of the main station buildings on the eastern side of the line.

 

[xotGD]

Depending on the time of day, you might want to choose a side to avoid glare from the sun.

Yes, the sun does sometimes shine along the S&C. And when it does, the fells look stunning!

 

[Ken H]

Pick a sunny day in winter when there is snow on the fells!

Sides are when travelling from Leeds

Settle Jct box is on the right
As far as Ribblehead, the views across to Pen-y-Ghent are good. Right side
The you want to be on the left over Ribblehead for views down Chapel-le-dale
Then get on the right Blea Moor Box
Views down Dentdale - on the left
Garsdale box is on the left, the the sidings, the remains of the Hawes branch and old turntable pit are right
I think down Mallerstangdale, the views across on the right are best, but the odd glimpse of Wild Boar Fell on the left
After Kirkby Stephen its just pretty both sides.

I suppose the best views are from the cabs!

Another S&C special for me is to do it in the dark. Seeing the odd light from remote farms high on the hillsides shows what a remote place this is. I am lucky, I managed that on a Mk1 corridor coach before sprinters, with a cl47 rumbling away up front.

 

[30907]

Settle Jn box was on the left last time I looked, Ken! Other than that, I'm with you as far as Kirkby Stephen - after that, IMO it's right for scenery, especially in the steeper bits of the Eden Valley and the view across to Hartside; Kirkby Thore is on the left though.

Leeds to Skipton (for completeness) - views on right but Shipley and Keighley stations are left.

Really, you need to go both ways (or get an empty-ish train where you can switch)!

 

[Iskra]

The views are good on either side.

Whilst it is nice to be on the inside curve on Ribblehead viaduct to see the bridge, one of the best views on the entire S&C for me is off the other side of the bridge down the valley, where on a clear day you can see absolutely miles down into deepest darkest Lancashire. I think it's something a lot of people miss due to obsessing about the bridge itself.

 

[WesternLancer]

Pick a sunny day in winter when there is snow on the fells!

Sides are when travelling from Leeds

Settle Jct box is on the right
As far as Ribblehead, the views across to Pen-y-Ghent are good. Right side
The you want to be on the left over Ribblehead for views down Chapel-le-dale
Then get on the right Blea Moor Box
Views down Dentdale - on the left
Garsdale box is on the left, the the sidings, the remains of the Hawes branch and old turntable pit are right
I think down Mallerstangdale, the views across on the right are best, but the odd glimpse of Wild Boar Fell on the left
After Kirkby Stephen its just pretty both sides.

I suppose the best views are from the cabs!

Another S&C special for me is to do it in the dark. Seeing the odd light from remote farms high on the hillsides shows what a remote place this is. I am lucky, I managed that on a Mk1 corridor coach before sprinters, with a cl47 rumbling away up front.

Thanks great summary - v helpful.

I well recall my 1st trip on the S&C c1983 - a Class 31 hauled rake mk1 corridor stock on a through train journey that I'm sure started from Hull. I've been since but not recently.

 

[WesternLancer]

Really, you need to go both ways (or get an empty-ish train where you can switch)!

Thanks Good point. I think a 2 way trip will be sacrificed to a rtn via the Cumbrian Coast, a line I've not done in full for c30 years.