Low House Crossing encounter on the "S&C"
14th June 2021
Exploring the northern end of the S&C: Thursday 10th June 2021.
Low House Crossing as seen from the west(Carlisle) approach.
The northern end of the Settle to Carlisle Route is relatively unknown amongst enthusiasts, given that the wilder parts of the route, with the more rugged topography and iconic railway structures, attract far more attention further south. Once you have reached Appleby and continue northwards the scenery turns more civilised, more managed, with with its farms and fields pushing the mountains further away. On a recent trip to Scotland I was able to break the journey at the village of Cotehill, just north of Armathwaite, and this short stopover gave me a brief opportunity to check out a location near the northern end of the line that I knew very little about: Low House Crossing.
The modern UPVC windows retain the former Midland Railway style, and the original cast iron nameplate remains.
Here's a little known fact: throughout the entire route between Settle and Carlisle, some 73 miles, there are only two level crossings. One is located at Culgaith, the other here, at Low House, just a short distance north out of Armathwaite. Until 1975 the crossing was protected by traditional manual gates opened and closed by the signalman in the time-honoured way. These were replaced by full-width lifting barriers but the signal box remains open.
Pure Midland Railway!
Low House Crossing is 299 miles and 55 chains from London, located on the up (London) side of the line. It's on a quiet back road which slopes downhill as it passes over the railway from the west (the line is on a NW/SE axis at this point and the road crosses on an almost west to east direction), with limited visibility, perhaps explaining why the signal box has remained open as it could be a potential accident hotspot waiting to happen for the careless driver.
The old lamp hut is gradually disappearing under the ivy!
Opened in October 1900 the current wooden Midland Railway signal box replaced an earlier one that opened with the line in 1875. At the time of my visit in 2021 the ‘box looked in reasonable condition, wearing slightly faded paintwork in the original style of the Midland Railway, crimson and pale yellow. Original cast iron nameboards were still in place and there was even the corrugated lamp shed just to the side of the 'box in situ, albeit somewhat overrun by ivy! Two home semaphore signals remain in operation, the one on the up side positioned on a curve in the track no doubt giving limited warning of a train's approach: another reason for the signal box's survival perhaps.
Looking towards London...
...and looking towards Carlisle.
At the time of my visit some recent tree clearance work on the downside just past the crossing had opened up the view, after many years of the 'box seemingly being hemmed in from all sides, surrounded by woodland. For the short time of my visit no trains passed through, nor did any road traffic, so it was a tranquil scene, with the peace and quiet punctuated only by a couple of noisy lapwings squabbling as they landed in an adjacent field. It was one of those occasional unplanned finds that occurs from time to time and left me with a pleasing impression of a timeless scene that has existed here for nearly 150 years. You shouldn't under-estimate the appeal and attractiveness of the northern section of this route and I know for sure that I will make another visit to this part of Settle to Carlisle Route again in the future.
Low House Crossing as seen from the west(Carlisle) approach.
The northern end of the Settle to Carlisle Route is relatively unknown amongst enthusiasts, given that the wilder parts of the route, with the more rugged topography and iconic railway structures, attract far more attention further south. Once you have reached Appleby and continue northwards the scenery turns more civilised, more managed, with with its farms and fields pushing the mountains further away. On a recent trip to Scotland I was able to break the journey at the village of Cotehill, just north of Armathwaite, and this short stopover gave me a brief opportunity to check out a location near the northern end of the line that I knew very little about: Low House Crossing.
The modern UPVC windows retain the former Midland Railway style, and the original cast iron nameplate remains.
Here's a little known fact: throughout the entire route between Settle and Carlisle, some 73 miles, there are only two level crossings. One is located at Culgaith, the other here, at Low House, just a short distance north out of Armathwaite. Until 1975 the crossing was protected by traditional manual gates opened and closed by the signalman in the time-honoured way. These were replaced by full-width lifting barriers but the signal box remains open.
Pure Midland Railway!
Low House Crossing is 299 miles and 55 chains from London, located on the up (London) side of the line. It's on a quiet back road which slopes downhill as it passes over the railway from the west (the line is on a NW/SE axis at this point and the road crosses on an almost west to east direction), with limited visibility, perhaps explaining why the signal box has remained open as it could be a potential accident hotspot waiting to happen for the careless driver.
The old lamp hut is gradually disappearing under the ivy!
Opened in October 1900 the current wooden Midland Railway signal box replaced an earlier one that opened with the line in 1875. At the time of my visit in 2021 the ‘box looked in reasonable condition, wearing slightly faded paintwork in the original style of the Midland Railway, crimson and pale yellow. Original cast iron nameboards were still in place and there was even the corrugated lamp shed just to the side of the 'box in situ, albeit somewhat overrun by ivy! Two home semaphore signals remain in operation, the one on the up side positioned on a curve in the track no doubt giving limited warning of a train's approach: another reason for the signal box's survival perhaps.
Looking towards London...
...and looking towards Carlisle.
At the time of my visit some recent tree clearance work on the downside just past the crossing had opened up the view, after many years of the 'box seemingly being hemmed in from all sides, surrounded by woodland. For the short time of my visit no trains passed through, nor did any road traffic, so it was a tranquil scene, with the peace and quiet punctuated only by a couple of noisy lapwings squabbling as they landed in an adjacent field. It was one of those occasional unplanned finds that occurs from time to time and left me with a pleasing impression of a timeless scene that has existed here for nearly 150 years. You shouldn't under-estimate the appeal and attractiveness of the northern section of this route and I know for sure that I will make another visit to this part of Settle to Carlisle Route again in the future.