Formed in 1990, The Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust exists to help preserve, restore and maintain historic buildings and structures along the line and to promote public knowledge and appreciation of the line.
Through the first half of the 20th century the Settle & Carlisle Railway progressively lost out to the East and West Coast routes to Scotland and came under threat of closure from the 1960s onwards, culminating in a six year fight from 1983 to 1989.
Ironically, this constant threat allowed the line to bypass the sweep of modernisation that affected many other parts of the UK rail network. The Settle & Carlisle Railway is therefore the most complete piece of Victorian railway engineering in the UK, and is in railway engineering and architecture terms a priceless gem.
The importance of the built heritage of the Settle & Carlisle was recognised by the Minister for Transport, at the time consent for closure was refused. The Minister proposed the establishment of a charitable trust, to assist with the restoration of buildings and structures on the line. The Settle & Carlisle Railway Trust was established by Trust Deed on 14th March 1990 and is registered with the Charity Commission (No 702724).
Geographically the Trust’s activities cover the line from Carlisle to Settle Junction; Settle Junction via Hellifield to Leeds and Hellifield South Junction to Blackburn. However, for the foreseeable future, the Trust will focus on the route from Hellifield to Carlisle due to the wealth of historic and architecturally important elements that are contained on this section of route. This also aligns with the boundaries of the Settle & Carlisle Railway Conservation Area.
The Trust’s activities are encapsulated in the following key objectives:
We elect trustees able to provide the range of experience, skills and opinions required to ensure donated funds are used most effectively to protect the assets owned and leased to the trust, and that the assets themselves are put to good use to generate income and to preserve the history and culture of the Settle Carlisle line.
I was born in Yorkshire within sight of the Midland Railway main line which led to a lifelong interest in railways. I moved to Cumbria ten years ago, close to the S&C line in the Eden Valley.
I am a director of Westmorland Ltd, a family business which operates motorway services. I have been involved in many regeneration projects including Lowther Castle & Gardens and as a Canon of Carlisle Cathedral.
Having moved to the Lake District in 2016 following a London based career my focus at the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust is looking after their properties at Kirkby Stephen, Ribblehead and Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
These remote, isolated buildings in beautiful countryside provide challenges aplenty but significant reward to all who pass through.
Aged 15, I moved from the Borders to the railway village of Drem in the days when it was still a busy junction and a request stop on the London sleeper. I was accustomed to travel frequently by train and to commute to Edinburgh for education and work. I have been taking children and now grandchildren round the network ever since, and have a particular interest in facilities for passengers.
I was born within walking distance of Rosegrove engine shed (Burnley) and have a lifetime interest in model railways and have an N gauge layout based on Cumwhinton on the S&C.
I was an accountant for 40 years and I became involved with the S&C when appointed Treasurer for FoSCL several years ago – a position that I now also perform for the S&C Trust.
