An operator’s first passenger train has crossed a historical route from Settle, in the Yorkshire Dales, to Carlisle for the first time in 10 years.
The 7.54am Avanti West Coast departure on January 1 was the first intercity passenger service to use the 73-mile-long railway in more than a decade.
Avanti West Coast is running trains on the line, which is known for its picturesque views across the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines via the Ribblehead viaduct, until January 15.
The diversion is due to the West Coast Main Line being blocked between Preston and Carlisle.
The route is usually only used by Northern trains operating between Leeds and Carlisle but Avanti is using it as a diversion while work to replace the Clifton Bridge takes place over the M6 near Penrith.
The Settle to Carlisle line does not have overhead power lines, meaning Avanti is using bi-mode Class 805 Evero trains, which operate on diesel.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: ‘We are running services on the Settle to Carlisle route to keep customers moving by train across the North West, and give them the best travelling experience possible.
‘Today marks the conclusion of months of extensive planning alongside Network Rail and other operators, and I am delighted to see these services come into fruition to keep the North West open for rail travel during these planned engineering works.’
Avanti West Coast is running trains on the Settle to Carlisle line, known for its picturesque views across the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, until January 15
The Ribblehead viaduct, part of the diversion route, is pictured
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: ‘The replacement of Clifton bridge over the M6 near Penrith is a crucial piece of railway work that will mean safer and more reliable journeys for passengers for the next 120 years.
‘During this essential closure of the West Coast Main Line, we’ve worked with Avanti West Coast to divert services via the iconic Settle to Carlisle line, which gives passengers the option to continue to travel by rail wherever possible.
‘I’d like to thank passengers for their patience during this work.’
Until January 5, the railway will also be blocked just south of Preston, meaning on these days the diverted services are running between Wigan North Western and Carlisle.
For the remainder of the two weeks, these trains will operate to and from Preston.
With some of the diverted services extending to and from Crewe and the West Midlands, customers are advised to plan their journeys in advance.
Those travelling from Birmingham, Manchester and London to Carlisle and Scotland should go via the East Coast Main Line using other operators.
For those wishing to travel to and from Lancaster, Oxenholme and Penrith, a rail replacement bus service will be in operation.
Dent Head, pictured, is a ten arch viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
It comes after another scenic train route has made recent headlines.
Nearly £3million of compensation has been paid out to Caledonian Sleeper passengers since the service was nationalised in 2023.
Spanning approximately 500 miles across roughly 12 hours and 45 minutes, the Caledonian Sleeper now holds the title of the UK’s longest direct rail route.
The huge payouts, which amount to more than £22,000 per week, were made to compensate travellers for delays to the service.
It has led to claims SNP ministers are ‘making a mess’ of running the popular overnight route, which links Scottish stations to London, while taxpayers are picking up the tab for passengers being ‘let down’.
