Step Back In Time With 150 Years Of Railway History On Show In Appleby

​A free exhibition in Appleby is inviting visitors to explore 150 years of railway history and discover the stories behind the Settle-Carlisle line.

The Settle Carlisle 150 exhibition is being held at Appleby Tourist Information Centre and is open to visitors until September 30. The display forms part of a wider programme marking a major anniversary for the railway and its surrounding communities.

The exhibition is particularly significant this year as it marks 150 years since passenger services first travelled along the route. The first passenger services began operating on May 1, 1876, establishing a railway connection that would become an important part of the history of the region.

The anniversary also coincides with another milestone in the railway's history. This year marks 40 years since eight intermediate stations along the route reopened to passengers in 1986, restoring important local connections after years when services had not been available.

Visitors to the Appleby exhibition can explore a collection of archive photographs covering different periods of the railway's history. The images offer glimpses of stations, railway workers, passengers and communities connected with the line over the decades.

Scrapbooks are also available for visitors to browse during their visit. These provide additional material connected with the railway and help illustrate how the line has been recorded and remembered by people over many years.

One of the features on display is a replica of a station master's house. The exhibit provides visitors with another way of understanding the working environment and everyday life associated with railway stations in earlier generations.

The exhibition is not intended simply to present a collection of historic images. Organisers are also encouraging local people and railway enthusiasts to contribute their own knowledge and memories to help build a fuller record of the line's history.

A visitor book has been provided for people who recognise individuals or locations shown in the photographs. Visitors may also be able to provide information about events shown in the exhibition or share memories connected with former railway workers and local communities.

Organisers say photographs can sometimes raise as many questions as they answer. Identifying people, places and events through memories from local residents could therefore help fill gaps in the historical record and add new information to the exhibition's story.

The railway has long been closely connected with the communities along its route. Beyond its role as a transport link, it has provided connections between people and places and formed part of everyday life for generations of residents.

The 150th anniversary programme has been taking place throughout 2026, with heritage and community activities being held along the route. The Appleby exhibition provides a local opportunity for people to take part in those celebrations without needing to travel elsewhere.

The display is also being presented during Appleby's Heritage Open Weekend, which takes place on September 19 and 20. The weekend provides an additional opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the exhibition alongside other heritage activities in the town.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway stretches for 72 miles between Carlisle and Leeds, passing through the Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley. Its route is known for historic railway architecture, major Victorian engineering features and the distinctive landscapes through which the line travels.

The railway continues to operate today, providing regular services between Carlisle and Leeds. Its continuing use gives the anniversary celebrations a connection between the history represented in the exhibition and the railway's role in modern communities.

For visitors with family connections to the railway, the exhibition may also provide an opportunity to uncover information about relatives and former railway employees. Personal memories and photographs can add details that are not always captured in official records.

Organisers are encouraging anyone with relevant knowledge to share it during their visit. Contributions to the visitor book could help preserve memories associated with the railway and add further detail to the historical record for future generations.

The exhibition will remain open at Appleby Tourist Information Centre until September 30, giving residents, railway enthusiasts and visitors several opportunities to explore the collection. Admission is free, making the display accessible to anyone interested in the history of the railway and the communities it has connected.

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