THE simple task of buying your ticket for a trip along the Settle-Carlisle Railway evokes butterflies in the stomach at the excitement of the glorious trip that lies ahead.

Some 72 miles of track will take you along one of the most scenic journeys in the country with breathtaking views along the way, going through some of the areas most famous market towns and across viaducts as the train meanders its way through changing and dramatic countryside.

I did not expect to have glorious sunshine on the day I travelled the line - and I did not get it.

But that is one of the nice things about the trip - you could do the journey any number of times during the year and you would be treated to a different experience each time.

The changing seasons bring about wonderfully-different views and the picture postcard scenery reflects the time of year.

The line opened for passengers on May 1, 1876 with work having started six years earlier.

The desolate terrain made for difficult working conditions and the navvies, miners and their families were all housed in hundreds of wooden huts.

Manpower alone built the track, 20 major viaducts and 14 tunnels but the work was not without its problems.

Fighting broke out regularly among the workers, and missionaries were brought in to to provide spiritual guidance for the men.

Carlisle is the starting point for many travellers on the route although you can get on at any of the stations along the way.

But starting at the great border city of Carlisle provides a great historical start to the journey.

The Castle stands magnificent and the cathedral and museums can be visited before boarding the train.

The views from the carriage are breathtaking as the train meanders its way through Armathwaite, Lazonby and Langwathby towards the market town of Appleby.

Passengers on the train can get off at stops along the way to explore the surroundings thanks to a series of guided walks.

Appleby is one of those points and the five-mile walk takes you through fields and along the river in the town, taking in the castle and views of Murton Pike.

Carrying on from Appleby, the next stop along the route is Kirkby Stephen, another famous market town in the Eden Valley.

Again, you can get off for a guided walk suggested by the Settle-Carlisle Railway - although be warned, it is six miles long and the paths can get quite hilly and muddy.

Garside is the next stop before heading to Dent, at the head of Dentdale - it is the highest mainline station in England.

After passing through the Blea Moor Tunnel, the train heads along to perhaps the most famous of the viaducts - Ribblehead.

It has 24 arches which span Batty Moss 105 feet below.

It was built between 1870 and 1875 and Batty Moss was home to one of the largest camps for the workers with more than 2,000 of them living in 100 huts.

Passing over the viaduct provides the opportunity to take in the vast expanses of space around you although you obviously miss the sight of the viaduct itself spanning the fells.

Horton is the penultimate stop before arriving in Settle and the area is renowned for its wonderful cave systems and limestone pavements.

Settle, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is a great place to end the journey as it provides you the chance to refuel at one of the many cafes and tearooms.

It is also a starting point for any further exploring you might want to do in the surrounding Dales.

Everyone should take a trip along the Settle-Carlisle line - it is open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and it really is a treat for the whole family.

INFORMATION

For train times and fares contact National Rail Enquiries on 0845-484950.