Here is a date for your diary as Sunday 16th May sees the return of Lancashire’s special DalesRail service. DalesRail provides the only regular direct rail link from Lancashire to the world-renowned Settle Carlisle railway along with plenty of opportunities to experience the best of English countryside in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Eden Valley. Operating every Sunday from Blackpool North to Carlisle via Preston, Blackburn, Clitheroe and then onto the Settle Carlisle line.
A special feature of DalesRail is its extensive guided walk programme provided by the Lancashire Rail Ramblers, a voluntary group dedicated to encouraging as many people as possible to get out and enjoy the countryside. This year the guided walk programme begins on Sunday 6th June with walks starting at Dent and Appleby stations. Full details of the guided walk programme can be found on the DalesRail website www.dalesrail.com or by clicking this link communityraillancashire.co.uk/dalesrail-walks/.
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- Dent station – John Barnes
Full details about DalesRail can be found by taking a look at the new brochure which contains all you need to know including the timetable, fares and links to information about exciting places to visit. The brochure can be found on the DalesRail website (CRL DalesRail Leaflet Web) and drop us an email if you would like a copy posting to you see details below.
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- Stank lane looking towards Murton Pike – Richard Watts
Owain Roberts, Regional Stakeholder Manager, Northern Trains, said; “Passengers will welcome the return of DalesRail in readiness for the summer and we hope that customers will enjoy travelling on our fully refurbished trains from the Fylde and Central Lancashire direct to the Yorkshire Dales. We would like to thank our friends at Community Rail Lancashire plus all the volunteers who make DalesRail possible and we are looking forward to a successful season.”
Richard Watts, Chair of Community Rail Lancashire said: “It is fantastic to see DalesRail return this year in the wake of what has been a very difficult 15 months for many people. DalesRail offers the opportunity to get out and enjoy the wonderful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Eden Valley. To help you enjoy the area to its fullest, why not join a guided walk all of which are led by experienced guides from the Lancashire Rail Ramblers – a great way to meet like minded people and make new friends. Of course you can always plan your own walk just so long as you keep an eye on the time!! Once again Community Rail Lancashire is proud to support DalesRail and we look forward to welcoming you back on to the service.”
Craig Ward, Chair, Lancashire Rail Ramblers added: “It’s really pleasing to welcome the return of the DalesRail service. We are looking forward to lots of good walking in some of the most beautiful and quietest parts of the Dales and Eden Valley after travelling on one of Britain’s most scenic rail journeys.”
For full information on the 2021 DalesRail season visit www.dalesrail.com and you can contact us on communityraillancashire.crl@gmail.com or richard.watts.crl@gmail.com if you would like a brochure posting to you.
Details of train times can be found on the internet at nationalrail.co.uk or northernrailway.co.uk
Photographs courtesy of John Barnes, Craig Ward and the Richard Watts collection.