IT'S A LONG WALK TO DENT!

 Leaving Ribblehead behind we soon come to lonely Blea Moor signal box.

Our northbound journey continues and soon we're crossing Dent Head viaduct.

Our next stop is Dent station, a bleak spot beneath the fells. Here's the station in Midland Railway days.

Now it's 2005 and Dent station is still open.

Even from here, Ingleborough can still be seen!

As the title suggests, it's a long walk to Dent village - about four miles to the west.

Dent has a fine old church.....

.......and two great pubs. First the George & Dragon.

There's also the Sun Inn. Both pubs serve locally brewed ales.

We now head back to the Settle & Carlisle railway, to the water troughs north of Rise Hill Tunnel, one of the few level sections of the line.

At Garsdale (once known as Hawes Junction) there's a typical Midland Railway signal box, located on the platform.

In 2005, preserved 8F No. 48151 passes through.

Time for a pint now, at the Moorcock Inn by Garsdale station.

The summit of the S&C is at Ais Gill and a southbound freight is approaching that point behind 75039. Wild Boar Fell is forming the backdrop. (Photo by the late Les Flint).

It's downhill now to Kirkby Stephen station, two miles from the town it purports to serve. 156489 arrives and departs northbound.

The North Eastern Railway once served Kirkby Stephen East station (the present one once being named 'West'). 

The NER had a minor incident there.

Much of Kirkby Stephen East station survives and may reopen under a preservation scheme.

We now follow the NER route westwards to Ravenstonedale station, another one that was miles from the village of the same name.

A very long walk takes us into Ravenstonedale village and the Kings Head, where we'll take a much deserved break.

We are well into Cumbria now and the next post will see us visiting more of it. Follow the route here.