On Top of the World...

Stainmore Summit is the highest point on what was the trans-Pennine South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway. The summit of the line is at 1,370 ft (418 m) and until its closure 50 years ago in January 1962 was the highest point on a railway in England. The location was marked for travellers by a famous cast iron sign which is now preserved at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum.

Kirkby Stephen's East Station (the oldest of two in the town) is being rebuilt by a preservation group. Their aim is to extend their short section of track westwards along the abandoned trackbed to the Eden Valley Railway at Warcop near Appleby.

In the longer-term the group would like to extend their line eastwards towards Darlington and a replica of the original iconic Stainmore Summit sign has been erected on the route at the crown of Stainmore Pass by the group. There's just the small issue of replacing Belah Viaduct and a couple of tunnels. I wish them luck!

This pic was taken from the A66 dual carriageway.