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Written by Richard Tearle - 23 Oct 2007
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Location notes
A classic S&C southbound late afternoon shot high up in the hills.
This location requires a long steep climb and once at the top you will be pretty cut off from anyone else. Please consider this before attempting this shot.
Also note this location is not on public access land or on a footpath, but the owner of the land is used to photographers using this as a location. Please be responsible and check in at Raygill Farm on the way up as a common courtesy (i.e. do not spoil it for the rest of us!)
For more information on the Settle and Carlisle line please see the Settle - Carlisle Partnership website and consider joining Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.
Railway type and traffic
Most of the local services to Carlisle are operated by 158 multiple units.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf. DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
Environment
Really in the middle of no-where, with a good 30 minute walk back down to your car. Some of the trees in the plantation might provide some cover.
Road directions
From the M6, Junction 37:
Follow the A684 east through Sedbergh and follow the road for some while. You will cross over the River Rawthey several times on the way out from Sedbergh, but you will be near the location when the river is very close to the road on the left hand side. If you get to Garsdale you have come too far.

From Kirkby Stephen, head south on the B6259 past Ais Gill, and turn right onto the A684 at the Moorcock Inn. The parking layby is close to the second left hand public turn off this road.

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Risehill Tunnel, North Portal map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small layby just after the farm entrance if you are coming from the Garsdale direction that has space for one car – just where the road is very close to the river. Parking is very difficult along here due to the high walls and narrow nature of the road.
Once parked head up the farm track, passing Raygill farm (where it is polite to make yourself known) on the way up and continue up. Past the farm the track continues road to the right but there is a gate straight ahead to enter the plantation. Pass through this gate and follow the path up the side of the hill, there is only really one direction through the plantation and eventually, after a good 10 to 20 minute climb, you’ll reach the top of the hill and the line and tunnel mouth will be visible in front of you.
I have heard that it is possible to access this location from the coal road from Dent and descend down to the location, but I’ve not tried this.
Public transport
There is a train roughly every 2 hours in each direction to Leeds and Carlisle. The nearest station would be Dent, and this would be a good couple of hours walk

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Amenities
There are no amenities at the location, or even very near. There is a shop and pub in the village of Dent, or in the other direction at Garsdale.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Risehill Tunnel, North Portal

Googly map
Streetmap links
Risehill Tunnel, North Portal general view map
Risehill Tunnel, North Portal close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Risehill Tunnel, North Portal



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Railway Gen Group
Settle Carlisle
Photographic notes
The only real view from here is the southbound view; there is not much of a northbound shot due to the curvature of the line out of the tunnel mouth. Once up on the hill there are a variety of positions along the wall to get shots.


General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

A southbound train taken on a misty spring early afternoon, the distant mountains would be visible if it wasn’t for the haze. This shot was taken too early (the sun had not got round far enough), and really the shot is at its best in the late afternoon.
This was taken with a 50mm lens.

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