Archived News Items 2015
These pages contain the text of previous items, which have been removed from the news page of the Friends of DalesRail website. Items are removed periodically either because they are out of date and/or to make the news page on the live site less cluttered. Please note that links are not active on these archived pages.
29 November 2015
A selection of photos from the Castleton Youth Hostel Weekend and the Patterdale Weekend can now be seen in the Past Events (Holidays 2015) section.
A selection of photos from the Lake District walk on 20 October 2015 to Causey Pike and Hopegill Head (the Coledale Round) can now be seen in the Past Events (Other Events 2015) section.
24 November 2015 - Train Walk Update for Saturday 28 November (Barnoldswick Circular moderate walk)
Additional information from the leader (Stuart):
From Skipton, please catch the No. 28 Burnley bus at 0945 from bus stop on the main road outside the rail station to Barnoldswick town centre. Your leaders will meet you at the bus stop in Barnoldswick centre. For anyone not entitled to free bus travel, please purchase a Day Silver ticket (cost £6.00) from the driver on the No. 28 bus, which will also cover you for the return bus journey to Skipton after the walk.
15 November 2015
Details of the 2016 members programme of Coach Walks and Holidays have now been added to the website. Please access these using the Quick Links above.
15 November 2015 (amended item)
The walk leaders' route descriptions for all three grades of walk from the members' coach trip to Buxton, Derbyshire on Sunday 15 November can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
10 November 2015
Details of our 2016 members' programme of Thursday Walks and Lake District Walks have now been added to the Members section.
8 November 2015 - Events Update 2016
Full details of all train walks from January to June 2016 have now been added to the Train Walks section.
30 October 2015 - Winter Rail Travel Offers on the Settle/Carlisle and Bentham Lines
The flat fare travel offers for holders of Dales Railcards and certain Metrocards & passes will run from Sunday 1 November 2015 to Saturday 19 March 2016, but please note that some dates are excluded.
Please click here for full details of the Dales Railcard offer (external website link)
Please click here for full details of the Metro offer (external website link)
29 October 2015 - Events 2016
Our 2016 programme of train walks for the public and additional events for members has now been finalised. Details will be added to this website over the next few days and all events will be listed in the members 2016 calendar when it is published next month.
18 October 2015 - Train Walk Update for Saturday 24 October
Due to rail engineering work on the Settle/Carlisle line, trains are operating only as far as Long Preston on this date, with a bus replacement service from there to Carlisle. Because of the increased travelling time involved, the originally advertised Kirkby Stephen Circular walks have been cancelled. There will now be one easy walk only from the usual 0849 train from Leeds to Long Preston as detailed below:
Long Preston to Hellifield
via Langber Lane and Otterburn
From the 0849 Leeds to Long Preston train
Book and alight Long Preston: return Hellifield
8 miles Easy
14 October 2015 (amended item)
The walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions for all three grades of walk from the members' coach trip to Sabden, near Pendle in Lancashire on Sunday 18 October can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
12 October 2015 - Train Walks Update for Saturday 17 October
SETTLE CIRCULAR (STRENUOUS WALK)
Due to rail engineering works, a bus replacement service will operate between Leeds and Skipton. Trains will run between Shipley and Skipton, but if you travel by train from Shipley, you will need to change trains at Skipton, from where the Carlisle train will now originate. Please note an earlier than normal start will be required for anyone travelling from Leeds.
The options for travelling from Leeds are:
0755 Bus replacement from Leeds (arrives Skipton 0914)
OR
0810 Bus replacement from Leeds (please note this will be the BRADFORD bus - arrives Shipley 0844) then the 0850 train from Shipley (arrives Skipton 0921)
You should then board the 0926 Skipton to Carlisle train and alight at Settle.
Similar arrangements will also operate in reverse for the return journey.
Please click here to view the temporary rail and bus replacement timetable for Leeds to Skipton (PDF file, 755KB)
Please click here to view the temporary rail and bus replacement timetable for Leeds/Settle/Carlisle and Leeds/Morecambe (PDF file, 729KB)
PENISTONE CIRCULAR (MODERATE WALK)
This walk is unaffected by the engineering works as it is from the Penistone line, but please note the walk takes places from the 1008 Huddersfield to Sheffield train.
29 September 2015 (updated item)
The walk report, walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions from the members' coach trip to Reeth, North Yorkshire on Sunday 20 September can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
28 September 2015 - Thursday Walk Update
Please note that for the Holmfirth Circular members' Thursday walk on 1 October 2015, due to tight train/bus connections from Huddersfield, we will have a slightly delayed start of around ten/fifteen minutes past ten.
12 September 2015
TRAIN WALKS - ADVANCE NOTIFICATION
Engineering walks on the Leeds to Skipton Airedale line and on the Settle/Carlisle line are likely to affect our walks on Saturdays 10, 17 and 24 October 2015. Please check back here nearer the time (and in the Train Walks section) for updated information.
NEWSLETTER
The online edition of the May 2015 members' newsletter can now be viewed and downloaded in the Newsletter section. The next issue is due to be sent out to members in early October.
9 September 2015
Unlimited one day rail travel with Northern Rail for £10.00 or £17.50 for a weekend
From 7 September 2015 Northern Rail and Johnston Press are running a flat fare special offer for a day's rail travel anywhere on the Northern Rail Network for £10.00 (half price for children, no further discounts). A weekend ticket for £17.50 (half price for children) is also available. To qualify you have to register online at the "My Northern" section of the Northern Rail website and collect two coupons from any of a number Johnston Press newspapers - printed until Saturday 19 September 2015. They publish a number of titles including the Yorkshire Post and several titles in Yorkshire and Lancashire. You can then buy up to four Northern Rail Day Ranger or Weekend Rover tickets from any staffed rail station within the Northern Network. Tickets can be purchased up to three days in advance of travel.
Travel is available between Monday 7 September 2015 and Sunday 8 November 2015 (excluding 24 October - 1 November inclusive and 10 October). It is not limited to the Settle-Carlisle line, but it is restricted to services operated by Northern Rail.
Please click here for full details of the offer, including the list of qualifying newspapers to obtain tokens (external web link)
Please click here to view the Northern Rail Network Map (PDF file, 144kb)
17 August 2015 (amended item)
The walk report, walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions from the members' coach trip to Saltburn-by-the-Sea on Sunday 16 August can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
9 August 2015
A selection of photos from the Appleby Circular train walk via High Cup Nick and Murton Pike on 1 August can now be seen in the Past Events (Train Walks 2015) section.
29 July 2015
A selection of photos from the Skipton to Addingham train walk via Barden Moor on 25 July can now be seen in the Past Events (Train Walks 2015) section.
20 July 2015 - Train Walk Update for Saturday 25 July
Please note that the finish point for the strenuous Settle/Carlisle line walk from Skipton has now been changed and this walk will now finish in Addingham, with a bus back to Skipton (this walk was originally advertised as finishing in Grassington).
16 July 2015 (amended item)
The walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions for all three grades of walk from the members' coach trip to Orton (near Tebay) in Cumbria on Sunday 19 July can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
13 July 2015
A selection of photos from the recent members' holiday in Northern Ireland can now be viewed in the Past Events (Holidays 2015) section.
15 June 2015
The final report from the 2015 ride2stride walking festival can now be viewed and downloaded from the news page of the ride2stride website - please click here to view.
Provisonal dates for next year have been announced: Tuesday 26 April to Monday 2 May 2016.
15 June 2015 - Train Walk Update for Saturday 20 June 2015 - Nelson to LaneshawBridge
Additional information from the leader (Philip B):
Please catch the usual 0849 train from Leeds to Keighley, alighting at 0912. Please then catch service bus 25 from Keighley Bus Station (stand 0) at 0945 to Nelson (final destination of the bus is Burnley or Padiham). If you are not entitled to concessionary travel, please purchase a Day Silver Bus Ticket from the driver (cost £6.00). This will also cover your bus fare from LaneshawBridge back to Keighley after the walk.
7 June 2015 - Advance Notification - Change to train walk on Saturday 25 July 2015
Please note that the strenuous walk on this date has now been changed to Skipton to Addingham via Barden Moor (bus back to Skipton) - 16 miles - Book, alight and return Skipton. This route was originally advertised as finishing in Grassington.
3 June 2015 (updated item)
The walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions from the members' coach trip to Great Ayton, North Yorkshire on Sunday 7 June can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
23 May 2015
The May 2015 newsletter has now been published and is currently being distributed to members by post and email. The new train walks programmes will be available in June and can be picked up from stations or leaders may have spare copies. We are sorry that it was not available to send out with the newsletter.
14 May 2015 - Overseas visitors enjoy Dales walking festival
A selection of photos and a report from the recent ride2stride walking festival has been published in the latest edition of the Craven Herald - please click here to view (external website link).
13 May 2015 (updated item)
The walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions from the members' coach trip to Kilburn, North Yorkshire on Sunday 17 May can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
10 May 2015
A selection of photos from the Lake District Walk to Eagle and Sergeant Crags & Glaramara on 21 April 2015 can now be seen in the Past Events (Other Events 2015) section.
4 May 2015
Unlimited one day rail travel with Northern Rail for £12.50 or £20.00 for a weekend
From 5 May 2015 Northern Rail and Johnston Press are running a flat fare special offer for a day's travel anywhere on the Northern Rail Network for £12.50 (half price for children, no further discounts). A weekend ticket for £20.00 (half price for children) is also available. To qualify you have to register online at the "My Northern" section of the Northern Rail website and collect two coupons from any of a number Johnston Press newspapers - printed until Friday 15 May 2015. They publish a number of titles including the Yorkshire Post and several titles in Yorkshire and Lancashire. You can then buy up to four Northern Rail Day Ranger or Weekend Rover tickets from any staffed rail station within the Northern Network. Tickets can be purchased up to three days in advance of travel.
The offer runs from Tuesday 5 May to Sunday 28 June 2015 inclusive (excluding 23 to 31 May) and is not limited to the Settle-Carlisle line, but it is restricted to services operated by Northern Rail. All Friends of DalesRail train walks during this special offer period can be accessed from Leeds using Northern Rail trains only.
Please click here for full details of the offer, including the list of qualifying newspapers to obtain tokens (external web link)
Please click here to view the Northern Rail Network Map (PDF file, 144kb)
26 April 2015 - Train Walk Update for Monday 4 May
Additional information from the leader (Jack W):
Forget any preconceived ideas you may have about the Horton to Settle via Pen-y-Ghent walk. Here is a different version!
This will follow The River Ribble before making its way to Brackenwood Bottom and up Pen-y-Ghent. From here the walk will descend Pen-y-Ghent over the shoulder and onto open access moorland making its way to Crooke Gill and its waterfalls. The walk will then cross grouse open moorland to Catrigg Force and onto Langcliffe before heading up and off to Settle. Outstanding views all day.
Should anyone arrive with their dog then they will be taken by one of the leaders on an alternative route after the ascent of Pen-y-Ghent on public rights of way to Stainforth, then Winskill and Langcliffe and so onto Settle. Please keep ypur dog on a lead as there are pregnant sheep and lambs in the fields. Both routes are roughly the same length and will enjoy good views.
21 April 2015 - Ride to Stride every day for a week!
The week long ride2stride festival of walks, talks and music events along the Settle-Carlisle railway begins on Tuesday 28 April. This includes walks at various grades every day from Tuesday 28 April to Monday 4 May, several of which are led by Friends of DalesRail, including a rare opportunity to climb each of the YorkshireThreePeaks over three consecutive days.
Full details of FDR walks can be found on our Train Walks page and the full festival programme can be accessed via the ride2stride website - please click here to view this (external website link)
20 April 2015 (amended item)
The walks sketch map and leaders' route descriptions from the members' coach trip to Clitheroe, Lancashire on Sunday 19 April can now be seen in the Past Events (Coach Walks 2015) section.
29 March 2015
Full details of all our guided walks for the public from trains through to the end of the year have now been added to the Train Walks section. This information is also available in printed format in our current train walks programme leaflet (up to June 2015 - green cover) and the remaining walks for the year will be included in the next edition. In the meantime, summary details of all walks and events can also be found in the members' calendar.
22 March 2015
The online edition of the February 2015 members' newsletter can now be viewed and downloaded in the Newsletter section.
20 March 2015 - Train Walks Update for Saturday 21 March (amended item)
Please note that for the easy Slaithwaite Circular walk on the Huddersfield line, the walk starts from the Huddersfield to ManchesterVictoria train which leaves Huddersfield at 1015 and arrives in Slaithwaite at 1022. There are a number of trains from both Leeds and Bradford which will get you to Huddersfield in plenty of time.
18 March 2015 - Winter Rail Travel Special Offers - last few days
OFFER 1: DALES RAILCARD HOLDERS
This is for holders of Dales Railcards (including FOSCL Railcards, formerly called Gold Cards).
This year the offer is an £8.50 flat fare adult day return ticket valid for rail travel on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle and Leeds-Morecambe lines.
The Dales Railcard offer is valid during THREE separate periods:
- 2 November to 28 November 2014
- 27 December 2014 to 13 February 2015
- 23 February to 28 March 2015
Please click here for further details (external website link)
Source: Settle and Carlisle Railway Development Company
OFFER 2: WEST YORKSHIRE METROCARDS, RAILZONES 6 & 7, MCARDS AND METRO-ISSUED CONCESSIONARY PASS HOLDERS
Once again, Metro and Northern Rail have teamed up to offer a special day return ticket on either the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle or Leeds-Lancaster-Morecambe lines. This year the normal return flat fare is replaced by three fare zone prices, cosing £11, £12 or £13, depending on how far along the lines you are travelling.
The offer runs every day of the week from Sunday 2 November until Sunday 29 March 2015, except for the week of Monday 16 to Friday 20 February 2015. The offer is valid 7 days a week, except for holders of Metro-issued English National Concessionary Passes, for whom the offer applies Monday to Friday only.