History

HISTORY OF DENT STATION, THE SNOW HUTS  AND THE SETTLE - CARLISLE RAILWAY 

The station was first opened for public use on 6th August 1877. It was closed in 1970 and re-opened in 1986 at which time the station was sold by Railtrack. 

Dent Station has a great railway history and many historians and railway enthusiasts will be familiar with the history and evolution of the Settle and Carlisle railway. Apart from being Britain’s highest mainline station, it is unusual in that it is situated four miles away and 600 feet higher than the actual village of Dent. 

To the Northeast of the station is a matrix of snow fences created from old railway sleepers which were erected to try and keep snow off the tracks. Unfortunately these were not always successful and in the winters of 1947 and 1963 Dent Station became heavily snow bound. Unfortunately inevitable global warming means that such harsh winters are very rare these days. The recent refurbishments to the station and the incorporation of oil fired central heating and solar powered under floor heating and also a Rayburn aga means that irrespective of adverse conditions, visitors can enjoy the warmth, comfort and style of the station.

In the peak of its use, over 90 trains a day would pass through the station, though over time the east coast and west coast mainlines became more favourable and quicker routes to Scotland. Dent used to have a signal box and also a loading platform the remnants of which is still in place. This was principally used for loading cattle and coal but these facilities were withdrawn from the service in 1964 and the signal box demolished in 1981. The station itself was sold by Railtrack in 1985 and purchased by Neil Ambrose who restored the property over a period of some 20 years. In 2006 Robin Hughes purchased the station and has engaged the help of local craftsmen and experts to help restore the station to its former glory and also upgrade its living accommodation to make it a suitable, stylish, comfortable and inviting holiday accommodation for guests who want to explore the attributes of Dent and the surrounding Dales. Robin sold the Station in 2020 whilst retaining the Snow Huts.

For further information visit: https://www.foscl.org.uk and http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk