Settle to Carlisle Railway

Dent Station

Dent is the highest mainline station in England. It is 1150 feet above sea level and is positioned almost half way between Leeds and Carlisle.(Leeds 58 1/4 miles and Carlisle 54 3/4 miles.)

Dent station first opened for public use in 1877 - it closed in 1970 and reopened in 1986.

Dent village is situated 4miles away and 600 feet lower than the station.

Snow fences made from old railway sleepers can be seen on the right when travelling towards Carlisle. These were used to try and keep the snow off the tracks, but were not always successful, as was found to be the case in the winter of 1947.

At the peak of its use 90 trains a day passed through the station.

Dent used to have a signal box, but this was closed in 1981 and is now no longer there. It is just possible to make out where it used to stand on the left-hand side as you approach Dent station heading towards Carlisle.

There used to be a cattle dock and crane on the station side with coal and cattle being served from one siding. These facilities were withdrawn from 1st October 1964, but the siding remained in use for engineering department purposes for some years.

One feature of the station that is not seen on other station buildings on the Settle-Carlisle is the extra 'hood' of roof that is found over each of the large front windows to add extra protection from the elements.

The station master's house at Dent was unusual for it's time in that it had double glazing to help protect it from the harsh winds.The two pieces of glass were placed 6 inches apart.Three sides of the house were also lined in slate as an added protection.

Click on any thumbnail for a higher resolution.

Click on any thumbnail for a higher resolution.

Search gallery for more photos of Dent

Links

• Carlisle
• Armathwaite
• Lazonby
• Langwathby
• Appleby
• Kirkby Stephen
• Garsdale Head
• Dent
• Ribblehead & Museum
• Horton in Ribblesdale
• Settle
• Viaducts & Miscellaneous