A NEW Settle-Carlisle Line Day Ranger ticket has been launched to encourage people to travel on the world famous railway while essential repairs are ongoing.

Major engineering work is taking place at Eden Brows, near Armathwaite, in Cumbria’s Eden Valley, following a massive landslip during the severe winter storms.

It damaged to the track and, due to the remote location of the site, the size of the landslide and the difficult terrain, it will take Network Rail several months to complete the repairs.

Now efforts are being made to show that the line is still open for business, with a replacement bus service carrying passengers between Appleby and Carlisle.

The new ticket - which was launched on Sunday - will allow travel from any station between Leeds or Bradford Forster Square to Appleby and onwards to Carlisle using the replacement bus.

Priced at £15 for adults and £7.50 for children, the ticket will be valid for one day, with no time restrictions. It will allow passengers to get on and off the train as they wish, travelling in any direction.

And railcard holders (including the local Dales Railcard) will be eligible for a further discount of one third off the ticket price.

Drew Haley, general manager of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company said: “We are delighted that Northern has introduced this new Ranger ticket at a fantastic price. The Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley can now be accessed from as little as £10. Local users can also take advantage of the offer by visiting Leeds or Bradford, going south."

The new initiative was also welcomed by Douglas Hodgins, chairman of the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.

He said: “This is an excellent offer from Northern which should certainly boost passenger numbers."

The ticket can be purchased at any staffed station ticket office or from the guard on the train. For more information, visit settle-carlisle.co.uk