Sunday, January 15th
Another good turnout of supporters enjoyed another windy day on the tops above Grange and Cartmel with the showers few and far between, and whilst the views weren’t as extensive as they could have been, the fresh air and exercise were a tonic.
Sunday, January 8th
We had a very good turnout of supporters for yesterday’s first Rail Rambler of the year. Thirty-five of us gathered on the platform at Hebden Bridge before the two parties set off via difering routes to Stoodley Pike and beyond. The day was marked by a fierce wind described on the weather forecast as a ‘breeze’. By the time the D Party had struggled against the wind to Stoodley Pike it had become a ferocious blast actually blowing some of them over. Descending was a battle before the calmer lower slopes were reached. A day to blow away the Christmas holiday cobwebs!
Saturday, January 2nd 2012
Thirteen people joined to-day’s Community Rail Walk from Church & Oswaldtwistle to Accrington and were lucky to have a dry day apart from very muddy fields. Fresh air and exercise – what a New Year tonic!
You can have another dose of this wonderful tonic by joining us this coming Saturday at Hebden Bridge on the first Rail Rambler of the year. See the Walks’ Programme page for details.
Thursday, December 22nd
Best wishes for a happy Christmas and an active and healthy New Year to all our supporters. We hope to see you on our Community Rail Walk on January 2nd or on the Rail Rambler at Hebden Bridge on January 7th.
A new Rail Rambler Programme has been published with walks through to March 2012. This can be viewed on-line on the Ribble Valley Rail website. Just scroll down the homepage on the RVR website and the Rail Rambler Programme will appear in the left hand margin. Eventually, as time permits, details of all walks will appear on this website.
Thursday, December 15th
The DalesRail train will not run on Sunday, October 14th due to rearranged engineering work at Hellifield. However the last DalesRail train of the aeason will still run on Sunday, October 21st.
With good weather forecast for this Saturday why not join us to climb a peak slowly over Pendle Hill. The route is fairly gentle for the most part and the views from the top of this well known landmark are wonderful. See the ‘Walks’ Section’ of this website for details.
Sunday, December 4th
Twenty- five people made the trip across the Pennines yesterday for an exploration of York with Howard Hammersley. The day was sunny and dry in comparison to home and the city was in festive mood and crowded with shoppers though our party managed to steer a quieter route through the alleyways, snickleways and unfamiliar backwaters.
Thursday, December 1st
The list of future destinations has been extended until September – see ‘Homepage’ for details.
Our next trip on Sat. 3rd will explore the hidden and not so hidden corners of York via its many alleyways and ginnels. Hope you can join us. Details of times on the ‘Homepage’.
Wednesday, November 23rd
Lancashire DalesRail services carried 4938 (5774 in 2010) passengers in 2011 or double this figure as passenger journeys. The ratio of walkers to non-walkers was 70:30 (60:40 in 2010). The wet summer and economic situation were probably factors in reduced loadings as the number of day trippers declined. Lancashire Rail Rambler leaders put in over 7000 manhours to lead and recce walks, steward the trains and organise all the associated activities for DalesRail, Community Rail Walks and Rail Ramblers. Work has already commenced on planning next year’s DalesRail programme.
Wednesday, November 16th
Eighteen people enjoyed an exhilarating Community Rail Walk from Colne to-day through some fine scenery on a warm and sunny day. Whilst the walk should have ended in Barley, a problem with bus cancellations meant that the walk was extended back to Nelson but on a beautiful autumnal day it was a bonus.
Remember – our next walk is on Saturday, Nov 19th with a Rail Rambler to the Silverdale area. Details on the ‘Home’ page of this website.
Monday, November 6th
Nineteen walkers joined us last Saturday and, besides enjoying the sight of a double headed steam excursion at Manchester Victoria, had a very pleasant day in the countryside of the Colne Valley with the E party having time to explore the Visitor Centre at Tunnel End near Marsden.
Our next walk is a ten mile circular Community Rail Walk starting from Colne Station at 09.34 on Saturday, November 12th.
Monday, October 31st
Hope you can join us this coming Saturday, Nov 5th, when we explore the upper reaches of West Yorkshire’s Colne Valley with an opportunity to visit Tunnel End Visitor Centre where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal enters on of the longest canal tunnels in the UK. Marsden was a location for the later series of Last of the Summer Wine and the surroundin g moorland offers good walking.
See the Walks’ Programme section of this website for details.
Wednesday, October 25th
Around 120 passengers travelled on the final DalesRail of 2011 last Sunday. A full coach took most of the walking parties down Wensleydale for an exploration of Semerdale and Semerwater. Other parties explored the parks of Carlisle and the historic centre of the city.
DalesRail 2012 will begin on Sunday, April 1st. In the meantime walkers can join our Rail Rambler guided walks every fortnight on Saturdays. These will enable walkers to discover more of the north west of England. See the programme on this website.
In addition there is the regular programme of East Lancs Community Rail Walks from local rail lines which explore the the surprisingly varied and beautiful countryside on our doorsteps.
So there’s no excuse to hibernate or stop getting exercise. Get out and join us!
Tuesday, October 18th
Seventeen people enjoyed glorious autumnal sunshine on their Rail Ramble to Lunesdale. Those on the shorter walk were given a historical tour of Hornby by leader Stuart Leese.
This coming Sunday, October 23rd, is your last opportunity to travel on DalesRail in 2011. Next year’s DalesRail service commences on Sunday, April 1st and runs without a break until Sunday, October 21st.
Sunday, September 18th
Contrary to rumours there is no intention to run Lancashire DalesRail trains from December.
Friday, September 16th
A new East Lancs Community Rail Walks’ Programme has been printed and will be available from your usual outlet soon. Also available from Craig Ward with sae and on the Community Rail website at www.communityraillancashire.co.uk
If you haven’t been on one of our Community Rail Walks then why not give them a try. In the new programme one highlight is a complete circuit of the Burnley Way over three days. This is an excellent walk with varied scenery and historic locations.
I short walks are your preference then our Monday walks are for you.
Tuesday, September 13th
Those of you who gave last Sunday’s DalesRail a miss because the forecast was dire missed a good day’s walking in Swaledale where the sun shone for most of the time and the wind wasn’t too bad. By the time we arrived back at Ribblehead conditions had worsened but we stayed warm and dry on the coach until the train appeared on the viaduct.
Hope to see you this coming Sunday.
Friday, August 26th
Howard Hammersley is making a steady recovery after his recent surgery and is beginning to take short walks. He is looking forward to resuming serious walking as soon as he is able.
For those who don’t want to travel over to Hadrian’s Wall this Sunday then Kirkby Stephen East Station, the HQ of the Stainmore Railway, is staging celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway over Stainmore with special events in the station yard – a fifteen minute walk down the hill from Kirkby Stephen Station. Free special buses will operate from Kirkby Stephen Station and at 12.30 and 14.30 a free bus will take people to Smardale Nature Reserve where free guided walks through the Reserve will be on offer before the return journey.
Wednesday, July 20th
The RR website has been temporarily down but is now back in fine fettle.
Howard Hammersley had his operation last Monday and is recovering well.
A new Rail Rambler Programme will soon be available via the usual channels and will be detailed on this website shortly. Because Howard was down to lead the next Rail Rambler at Gt Budworth and won’t be available, the trip will still go ahead at the same timings though the walk will be changed and led by someone else. See Homepage. So turn up as usual.
Monday, June 13th
Twenty-three people joined Stuart Leese’s Manchester Meander last Saturday and discovered some of the lesser known places of the city as well as some little known facts about some of the more famous sights. It was pleasing to a number of new faces on the walk.
Don’t forget that this Friday is the Whit Friday Brass Band gathering in Saddleworth – probably the greatest brass band event in the Uk. Meet leader Howard Hammersley for an introduction to the festival. See Walks’ Programme for details.
Wednesday, May 25th
NEWSFLASH! The planned engineering works have been cancelled and both DalesRail trains will run to/from Carlisle. Our coach link to Alston will now depart from and return to Langwathby.
Tuesday, May 24th
Because of engineering work at Carlisle, the DalesRail service on May 29th will terminate at and depart from Appleby not Armathwaite as previously advertised. Connecting buses will take passengers on to Carlisle. Similarly, our own bus to Alston will also commence and return from Appleby.
Monday, May 8th
You shouldn’t miss this coming Saturday’s Rail Rambler (May 14th) to the Wirral Peninsula with its opportunity to cross the sands to Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre Island which, although just over a mile from the mainland seems remote and peaceful but with an interesting story to tell.
Wednesday, May 4th
Eight people joined to-day’s Community Rail Walk from Entwistle to Darwen. Those who didn’t make it missed an excellent walk in perfect weather in an area we haven’t walked before and discovered the hidden, historic and pleasant corners of Darwen.
Photographs of the walk can be found in the Community Rail Walks’ Gallery 2011
Monday, April 25th - THE 2011 DALESRAIL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY
Beautiful weather resulted in an almost full Lancashire DalesRail train with most passengers heading to Kirkby Stephen ( above) to join on of our guided walks or to enjoy a ride on one of the old buses linking the station with Kirkby Stephen Town and Brough. A perfect day in every respect. For more views see the DalesRail Gallery 2011 on this website.
Friday, April 22nd
The hard copy of the DalesRail brochure is available from stations and other outlets but, remember, the guded walks are not printed in the brochure and you will need to print them from the dalesrail.com website. All walks on Sunday EXCEPT the ‘C’ Walk commence from Kirkby Stephen and some use the vintage bus service running from the station to Brough via Kirkby Stephen. The ‘C’ Walk (13 miles) alights at Garsdale returning from Kirkby Stephen.
Sunday sees Kirkby Stephen and Brough the focal points of a vintage bus and commercial vehicle rally and exhibition which has grown in size and popularity over the years. Fine weather is forecast so hope to see you on the first DalesRail of 2011 on Sunday.
Thursday, April 14th
Northern’s ‘Wrapped’ DalesRail train at St Helens’ Junction this week.
Wednesday, April 13th
A Northern train has now been ‘Wrapped’ in a vinyl advertising DalesRail so you may spot it at a station near you in the coming weeks. A short publicity event will be held at Blackburn Station upon the arrival of this ‘Wrapped’ train on the first DalesRail of the season – Easter Sunday.
The coming weekend is looking fine and warmer so why not join us on our Rail Rambler to Derbyshire (Sat., April 16th) for walks on some of the scenic ‘Edges’ – excellent walks with panoramic views.
Sunday, April 10th
The much reduced DalesRail brochure is available for viewng at www.dalesrail.com
Wednesday, April 6th
A warm spring day to-day saw seventeen people join our Community Rail Walk from Whalley Station to follow paths over Whalley Nab dropping down to Billington and across the fields to Old Langho and Brockhall with its Rovers’ Training Ground. From there we followed the banks of a swollen River Ribble to Hacking Hall and back to Whalley. See the Community Rail Photo Gallery for views of to-day’s walk.
The next Community Rail Walk is on Monday, April 11th from Burnley Barracks Sta to Brierfield starting at 11.12 after the arrival of the trains from Colne and Preston.
Sunday, April 3rd 2011
The early start was too much for some as only seventeen walkers turned up for our trip over Ilkley Moor. Those that stayed at home missed a glorious afternoon with distant views up and down Wharfedale as far as the Lincolnshire Wolds to the south and Great Whernside to the north. The shorter walk followed a new route over Baildon Moor and round the edge of Ilkley Moor and took in part of the Ebor Way. The Ebor Way is a 76 miles’ walk linking the Dalesway and Cleveland Way starting in Helmsley and going by way of York to Ilkley.
See Rail Rambler Gallery 2011 for photos.
Monday, March 21st
Due to cuts in funding at Lancs County Council the DalesRail brochure will be much reduced in size and, therefore, content. It will not include details of the guided walks’ programme and you will have to print off your own copy from the DalesRail website – www.dalesrail.com It is unlikely that you will receive a postal copy of the brochure as this will save money too. Copies of the brochure will not be available until mid-April but all the relevant information is on the DalesRail website.
Sunday, March 20th
Twenty-eight people joined us yesterday but found themselves on walks quite different to those advertised. On arrival at Macclesfield Bus Station our group joined a long queue awaiting the bus to Buxton and by the time we reached the front the bus was full. So to Plan B. The C Party decided to walk out of Macclesfield via the Buxton road then followed fieldpaths via Lamaload Reservoir up to Pym Chair and from there their original route to Lyme Park and Disley. The E Party took the bus to Langley and walked through Macclesfield Forest to Tegg’s Nose and back to Macclesfield. As the weather was perfect the views were extensive and, despite the initial disappointment, the day was enjoyed by all. See Rail Rambler 2011 Gallery for photos of the E Walk.
Friday, March 18th
We are still awaiting publication of the East Lancs Community Rail Walks’ Programme. However it can be viewed at www.ribblevalleyrail.co.uk then click on ‘Community Rail’ and scroll down. You will be able to print a copy from there.
Tuesday, March 15th
If you want to see a scary walk then follow the link below http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_path.html Sunday, March 6th Twenty-nine people took the scenic rail journey round the Furness Coast to the Millom area to enjoy walks along the Cumbria Coastal Way or to climb Black Combe. The weather improved as the day progressed giving extensive views across this remote and beautiful corner of north west England. See photos of the trip in the Rail Rambler Gallery.
Thursday, March 3rd
A word of caution – if using the £10 Northern Day Rangers to travel to Millom please remember that some return connections from Barrow are operated by Trans Pennine. Likewise services southwards from Lancaster are operated by Virgin and Trans Pennine . The Northern Day Rangers are not valid on these services. The outward journey on the 08.42 from Preston is on a Northern train. Tuesday, February 22nd News of a great bargain from Northern. Buy two copies of the Lancashire Evening Post from to-day until Feb 26th containing coupons. Two coupons can be exchanged at manned stations with Northern services for up to four Northern Day Ranger Tickets at a much reduced price of £10 each. These will be valid at off-peak times on weekdays and all day at weekends up to and including March 25th. With this Day Ranger you can travel on any Northern train which means, for example, Nottingham via Leeds, York, Hull, Bridlington, round the Cumbrian Coast to Carlisle then down the Settle- Carlisle to Leeds and back to Lancashire. You could use one to get to Millom on our next Rail Rambler on March 5th. Other newspapers with vouchers include: Clitheroe Advertiser, Blackpool Gazette, Chorley Guardian, Burnley Express, Nelson Leader and weekly papers on the Fylde and Lancaster.
Monday,February 7th 2011
The Spring/Summer Rail Ramber Programme is available with sae from Craig Ward. Full details of walks will gradually appear on this website as time permits. The full Dalesrail Walks’ Programme can now be visited at www.dalesrail.com and by clicking on ‘Downloads’ Sunday, February 6th Only eleven brave souls ventured out in yesterday’s very wet conditions. The ‘C’ Party completed their walk over the hills from Macclesfield to Buxton passing raging torrents on the way. The ‘D’ Party ended their walk at Langley where a short, ten minute wait for the welcome bus back to Macclesfield Station was taken advantage of.
Sunday, January 30th, 2011
Below are images of the new DalesRail ‘Wraps’ to be applied to a Northern train in the next few weeks to advertise DalesRail. Look out for the train at a station near you! 
Thursday, January 25th A new Rail Rambler Programme is in preparation and will be available shortly. In the meantime please note list of the new dates and destinations on our Walks’ Programme page of this website. Note the extra event on June 17th. Thursday, January 13th A great turnout of thirty-seven Rail Ramblers last Saturday enjoyed an escape into the fresh air of the South Pennines around Hebden Bridge. Pleased to see several new faces among our regulars.
Near Egypt
The D Party crossing a swollen beck near Egypt 
Above Gorple Reservoir Saturday, December 18th Apologies to the brave souls who set out to join our trip to York only to find that the train wasn’t running. We believe it was stuck in the sidings at Blackpool where heavy snow had blocked the pointwork. Also, the train’s driver, who was coming on a train from the Leeds’ direction, was delayed by the weather too. May we take this opportunity to wish our friends and supporters an enjoyable Christmas and an active and healthy New Year. Hope to see a good turnout at Hebden Bridge on January 8th for our first Rail Rambler of 2011. Let’s hope the weather has improved by then!