Settle Carlisle Railway Calendar Girls raise £1,000 for air ambulance

To celebrate 20 years of providing a refreshment trolley on the Settle Carlisle Railway, the staff providing the service have been raising money to support the local air ambulance service.

Their efforts will be enjoyed throughout 2025 as the team took off their uniforms to pose for a calendar, as well as took on sponsored walks along the line and raised £1,000.

Named the best scenic railway route in Europe by travel publishers Lonely Planet, the Settle Carlisle Railway is famous worldwide, and the calendar features some of the iconic views, including the Ribblehead Viaduct as a backdrop.

The Calendar Girls of the Settle Carlisle Line was the idea of Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company’s Operational Manager, Susie Payne - Miss February.

Susie, who started her career in the rail industry as a trolley service operator on the line said: “We are delighted to have been able to raise £1,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service.

“Our trolley service provides a little extra to our customers, and we are very proud of our team. We were inspired by the Rylstone and District Women's Institute, which is close to our line in North Yorkshire, and their Calendar Girls.

“The calendar was a fun way to celebrate our 20th anniversary, and now we look forward to celebrating the Settle Carlisle line’s 150th anniversary this year and our 2026 calendar will focus and celebrate our scenic line.”

• A limited number of calendars are still available at a discount price of £6 from the trolley service and the Settle Carlisle Development Company online shop at https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/shop/