The Settle-Carlisle Railway is a feat of Victorian engineering. One-hundred and thirty-five years ago, at tremendous cost and with great loss of life, this strip of rail was laid through some of England's roughest terrain. During construction, the thousands of laborers needed to build the line lived in disease-ridden shantytowns along the route. The railway's scheduled closure was adverted through a citizen's campaign, and the route is now legendary. From its terminus in our neighborhood, the railway runs north for 75 miles through the high, open country of the Yorkshire Dales. Through the mountains, the stations provide access to great hiking and to a few one-pub villages. It's a spectacular train ride, both for the views of the rugged countryside and for the impressive tunnels and viaducts that carry the route through the Dales. In the photo above, an evening train streaks over the arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Over the Christmas holiday, Kelly and I used day passes to adventure along the Settle-Carlisle line. As the evening sun completed its low sweep over the horizon, we wandered under the looming arches of the viaduct.
In the final twilight minutes, the warm orange glow of the lonely rural pub cast a welcome beacon. A few minutes later and with pints in hand, Kelly and I enjoyed the coal fire and dug into a plate of sausage and potatoes.
