Ribblehead Viaduct

Today’s the day ................. to build a railway

Between 1870 and 1875 the last navvy-built railway line in Britain carved its way through some of the north of England’s wildest countryside. 

The men needed for the major engineering works of the 24-span Ribblehead Viaduct and Blea Moor Tunnel on this stretch of the Settle-Carlisle railway line were housed in several sprawling camps in this area.  The camps were given names like Sebastopol and Jerico and life in them was pretty dire by all accounts.  

The story of the line’s construction is one of hardship and bravery.  Many people died building this railway - their unmarked graves filling the tiny churchyard at nearby Chapel le Dale.....................