British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
The Settle & Carlisle Circular
Luxury trainYorkshire

The Settle & Carlisle Circular

Various regional stations → Carlisle via the Settle to Carlisle line
Sit on the left 6 upcoming dates Photos
Photo: The joy of all things, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • SeasonWinter and early spring
  • RunsSeveral dates, February and March 2027
  • DurationFull day
  • TractionDiesel or steam depending on date (Statesman or Fellsman branding)
  • OperatorStatesman Rail

Statesman Rail's winter circular over Shap and the Settle to Carlisle line with snow-capped fells and Pullman dining.

Statesman Rail's Settle & Carlisle Circular takes advantage of the quieter winter timetable to run over both the West Coast Main Line and the Settle to Carlisle line in one day, when the Pennine and Lakeland fells are often under snow.

The train picks up at regional stations that vary by date, then runs one way over Shap and the other over Ribblehead, Blea Moor and Ais Gill, with a stop of around two hours in Carlisle. On some dates the train carries the Fellsman name and is steam hauled.

Pullman Dining serves breakfast and a multi-course dinner; First Class and Standard are non-dining. The 2027 programme is open for booking.

Which side to sit

Various regional stations → Carlisle via the Settle to Carlisle line

Heading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell; the right has Pen-y-ghent, the Ribblehead curve and Cross Fell.

Sit on the left4 sights on the left · 2 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationHellifieldJunction for the Settle to Carlisle line
  2. 4mi
    StationSettle72 miles to Carlisle
  3. 8mi
    MountainPen-y-ghent2,277 ft; the first of the Three Peaks, across Ribblesdale
  4. 12mi
    MountainIngleborough2,372 ft flat-topped summit to the west
  5. 15mi
    Viaduct · on the lineRibblehead Viaduct24 arches, 104 ft high; seen curving ahead from the right
  6. 16mi
    MountainWhernsideYorkshire's highest peak at 2,415 ft, rising beside the line
  7. 17mi
    Tunnel · on the lineBlea Moor Tunnel2,629 yards under the moor
  8. 19mi
    LandmarkDentdaleViews down the dale from Dent Head and Arten Gill viaducts
  9. 20mi
    StationDentHighest main line station in England, 1,150 ft
  10. 24mi
    StationGarsdaleFormer Hawes Junction
  11. 26mi
    MountainWild Boar Fell2,324 ft above the Mallerstang valley
  12. 27mi
    Summit · on the lineAis Gill Summit1,169 ft, highest point on the line
  13. 34mi
    StationKirkby Stephen
  14. 37mi
    Viaduct · on the lineSmardale ViaductAbout 130 ft high, the tallest on the line
  15. 45mi
    StationApplebyEden Valley market town
  16. 50mi
    MountainCross Fell and the North Pennines2,930 ft, the highest Pennine summit, across the Eden Valley
  17. 64mi
    River · both sidesEden GorgeThe line threads the wooded gorge near Armathwaite
  18. 76mi
    StationCarlisle

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

Upcoming dates

DateFromTractionStatus
Sat 20 Feb 2027
08:20		 Hereford — On sale
Sat 27 Feb 2027
08:15		 Leicester — On sale
Sat 6 Mar 2027
08:00		 Worcester Shrub Hill
Operator page URL carries a different date; date taken from the page text.		 — On sale
Sat 13 Mar 2027
08:15		 Nottingham
Operator page URL carries a different date; date taken from the page text.		 — On sale
Sat 20 Mar 2027
08:00		 Peterborough — On sale
Sat 3 Apr 2027
08:15		 Newcastle — On sale

On board

  • Dining
  • Premier dining
  • First Class

Highlights

  • Winter fells from the train
  • Ribblehead Viaduct
  • Shap summit
  • Two hours in Carlisle

Classes of travel

StandardFirst ClassPullman Dining

Photos of the The Settle & Carlisle Circular

3 photos · tap to enlarge
46233 Duchess of Sutherland crossing Lunds Viaduct in winter
46233 Duchess of Sutherland crossing Lunds Viaduct in winter
60103 Flying Scotsman near Long Marton in the Eden Valley
60103 Flying Scotsman near Long Marton in the Eden Valley
Carlisle Citadel station from Court Square
Carlisle Citadel station from Court Square
Before you book: charter trains depend on locomotive availability and Network Rail engineering work. Steam can be swapped for diesel at short notice, so check the operator’s terms for what happens then. When you book, ask for a seat on the side we recommend: most operators allocate seats but will note a preference.

Frequently asked questions

Which dates are steam?

Steam is indicated on the individual tour page; most Statesman circulars are diesel hauled.

Where does it depart?

Departure points differ by date; the tours page lists each.

Is there a 2026 date?

The 2026 runs have taken place; the next dates are in February and March 2027.

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