Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company is working with the Friends of Settle Carlisle Line volunteers at Settle and Armathwaite Signal Boxes to provide a unique family day out. The events also celebrate 150 years of freight travel on the line.
Both signal boxes will be open on May 24 and 31 and visitors can travel on the 9.20 from Leeds and either the 9.07 or 10.58 from Carlisle and stop off at both boxes for a guided tour and hands-on experience before returning home to Leeds on the 15.04 from Armathwaite and 14.19 or 17.49 from Settle back to Carlisle.
The family day out will include a free children’s railway signal box-themed activity pack and guides on the trains to enhance passengers’ experience. A special signalman badge has been commissioned for the unique event.
The journey will take passengers through North Yorkshire and into Cumbria, named the most scenic railway journey in Europe by the Lonely Planet travel publishers.
Events to celebrate Railway 200 got underway on January 1 with trains blasting their horns at the same moment around the world. Arranging the opening of the two signal boxes is just one of a host of events planned on the Settle Carlisle line.