Sunday, April 24th
If there was any proof needed that, given the right promotion, trains can be very popular with walkers and day trippers. In a scene reminiscent of the old Rail Rambler Excursions crowds empty from the DalesRail train on arrival at Kirkby Stephen with most passengers joining one of several guided walks organised by Lancashire Rail Ramblers.
Kirkby Stephen was holding its Classic Bus and Commercial Vehicle Weekend with old buses running between the station and Brough. Some lucky people were able to take a ride on the open toppers in the glorious spring weather.
This London bus was heading for the ‘wrong’ station!
The ‘F’ Party heading out from the station along the newly laid path down to Halfpenny House. This is a welcome improvement as previously this permissive path was often rather boggy.
Members of the ‘F’ Party admiring the view at Stenkrith Bridge but , because of the recent dry weather, the River Eden was a trickle instead of the usual raging torrent at this point where it enters a narrow gorge between the rocks.
The unusual rock formations of the riverbed below Stenkrith Bridge
The main objective of the ‘F’ & ‘G’ Parties was to explore the route of the Stainmore Railway which crossed the Pennines between Darlington and Kirkby Stephen via the Stainmore Gap. It was originally built to supply coal and coke to the ironworks at Barrow in Furness and Workington but for passengers it must have provided spectacular views throughout its length. Sadly, it closed in 1962 and we are now denied the opportunity to travel on one of Britain’s most spectacular railways. Just imagine the walking opportunities which would have been available from its stations. Now we can at least walk short sections of it.
Some sections of the Stainmore Line are now footpaths thanks to the work of the Northern Viaducts Trust, a charity which maintains the old viaducts such as this one at Podgill.
The Party passed through the small hamlet of Hartley with the cherry blossom in full bloom and, below, the daffodils also at their best.
The good weather has produced ideal conditions for wild flowers and the cowslips were out in profusion along the route of the walk on the old railway.
A sample of a view from the Stainmore Line with Murton and Dufton Pikes framing a distant Cross Fell.
Descending from Cote Garth with distant views to the Lake District Fells.
Kirkby Stephen was bustling and had something of interest around every corner.
Who could resist a ride back up to the station in an open-topped bus!
DalesRail passengers enjoying the evening sunshine whilst awaiting their train back to Lancashire at the end of a perfect day.
SUNDAY, MAY 8th DENTDALE
Destination Dentdale as seen from our train
DalesRailers arriving at Dent Station and making their way to the connecting bus for the beautiful ride through Dentdale to Sedbergh
Members of the D Party below Height of Winder with the Lune Viaduct ahead
On the Dales Way heading towards Hole House
Crossing the River Lune
Lunch stop with a view
The D Party were treading in the steps of Gerge Fox – founder of the Quaker Movement who, in 1652, after apparently having a life-changing vision on Pendle Hill, came north to the Sedbergh area and preached at this place, now called Fox’s Pulpit, to a crowd of a thousand and this event is regarded as the beginning of the Quaker Movement
The plaque at Fox’s Pulpit describes the event
The lane passing Fox’s Pulpit gave great views down Lunesdale – rain shower included
Marian leeads the party through Hawkrigg Wood with its profusion of bluebells
The camera can only just about capture the deep colour of a bluebell wood but certainly can’t capture the perfumed air
Great views of the Howgill Fells
Amazingly, we came across a group of friendly lambs which wanted to be stroked – obviously handreared
Continuing in the footsteps of George Fox, the party visited Briggflatts Meeting House – built in 1675 and the third oldest such building in the world
The caretaker gave us a talk about the building and the Quakers
On arrival back in Sedbergh a quintessential English scene was being enacted on Sedbergh School’s First XI pitch
The B Party walked from Ribblehead to Settle via Ingleborough, Crummackdale and over into Ribblesdale at Stainforth. Here are some photographs of their day supplied by John Barnes
SUNDAY, MAY 22nd
Members of the ‘C’ Party climbing into Oxenber Woods with the sun appearing after a wet morning. Great views back up Crummackdale