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Armathwaite
Viaduct
OS Grid Reference SY 499502 Armathwaite station is approached over a long embankment which is followed by a 9 arch and 90 ft high viaduct fashioned from red sandstone blocks. The ideal time for photography here is in the winter as in the summer and early autumn the extensive woodland foliage masks much of the viaduct. |
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Armathwaite
Road Bridge
OS Grid Reference SY 499503 The adjacent road at the north end of the viaduct is accommodated by an bridge with an unusual stye of pointed arch (this is known as an apse). |
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Armathwaite
Station
The station at Armathwaite was closed in 1974 but happily re-opened in 1986. It is situated at the top of a steep hill with the village spread out below it but from it there are excellent views of the Eden Gorge and the surrounding woodlands. The station is currently occupied by the premises of a building contractor and unhappily, an unsympathetic extension has somewhat disfigured the original building. |
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| Armathwaite Signal Box | 156 486 approaching Armathwaite with the 1436 southbound service from Carlisle |
| The signal box remains in its original position at the North end of the station but no longer controls traffic movements. After several years of disuse it was destined for demolition but was fortunately saved and restored by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line. The goods shed is completely intact and in good condition. | |
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Above
the station is Armathwaite Castle which originated as a "pele" tower or
fortified house during the period of the Scottish incursions. After Armathwaite
station follows the seven span 80ft high Dry Gill Viaduct, which is again
constructed entirely of local stone.
This is followed by Low House Crossing which is only the second level crossing to be found on the line. |
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| Dry
Gill Viaduct
OS Grid Reference SY 509479 The line, having run on an embankment most of the way from Armathwaite, crosses the aptly named Dry Gill on a nice five arch viaduct fashioned from the red local sandstone. |
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Low
House Crossing
OS Grid Reference SY 507488 The road ascends to intersect the line at Low House Crossing, shaded in woodland. After Low House the line turns to the north-west for the final approach to Carlisle. High Stand Gill is crossed on the last of the line's viaducts, High Stand or Knothill Viaduct, a four arch structure which is 60 ft high (NGR SY 492503). At grid reference SY463516 is the site of the spur to Cocklake's Plaster Works. |
| Cumwhinton
Station 30-09-01
OS Grid Reference SY 453531 Although closed in 1956, the station at Cumwhinton is almost in a time-warp - the platforms, even the waiting shelter, are intact. The station building has been converted into a private dwelling and as you can see, the station yard is a picture of neatness. |
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Cumwhinton - The Station buildings |
Cumwhinton - The station master's house |
| Next comes the site of Cotehill Station, which closed in 1952. The Howe and Co. siding where the old spur to Cotehill Plaster works diverges on the West side of the line. The next station, Scotby, was closed in 1942.The extensive site of the Durran Hill sidings and Midland Railway engine shed is passed before the line finally joins the Carlisle to Newcastle line at Petteril Bridge junction | |
Carlisle Citadel Station |
Finally,
the border town of Carlisle is reached.
Carlisle is only 9 miles (14km) South of the Scottish border and has had a long and turbulent history. In Roman times it was known as Luguvalium and is located at the western end of Hadrian's wall. This defensive frontier wall was built under the auspices of the emperor Hadrian (AD 122-28). The wall was built to keep out the wild northern tribes and marked the Northern limit of the Roman Empire. |
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city walls were started in the 11th century although only parts of the
city wall survive. The castle is reached by the hideous Millenium Bridge
which is totally out of keeping with its surroundings. Needless to say
I have not included a picture of it.
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Carlisle Castle |
Carlisle Cathedral, the nave |
The
cathedral has its origins in 1102 when King Henry I granted the site for
the building of a religious house.
Evidence from the fragments of 8th to 10th century stone crosses which have been found suggest that there may have been an earlier church on the site. The Augustinian priory of St. Mary developed on the site and in 1133 the priory became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Carlisle. It
was rebuilt after a fire in 1292 which partially destroyed the building
and continued in use until 1540 when the priory was dissolved by King Henry
VIII.
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