Some years ago, this scenic line in the UK was threatened with closure due to the condition of this monstrous stone viaduct. I have not kept up with things over there since, but it appears that the track is still in use. Did the viaduct receive its needed repairs?http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?january04/01-18-04/BR47xxxOnRibbleheadViaductYorkshireCorel.jpg

hi, the line and viaduct are still open with a diesel railcar service and occasionally a steam charter.my parents have travelled over the line in recent times.there is also freight which largely consists of coal trains to power stations.you can view the public timetable at www.northernrail.org -the viaduct was repaired by 2001, the 125st anniversary of the line after spending millions on it. (much more than the BR estimate)IIRC I spoke with the chief civil enqineer for the BR midland region in say 1987, and he said BR were considering trying to get someone to take the whole line off BR's hands for £1 (!) so they must have known the rot had set in.I don't know if 'monstrous' is the correct word - your mileage may vary!John

British Rail did indeed plan to close the ex-Midland Railway line from Leeds to Carlisle (the "Settle & Carlisle") in the 1980s. Maintenance costs (including Ribblehead, only one of many large stone bridges on the line) and low ridership were cited.Let's just say that public outcry put the notion to bed, and to my knowledge it has never been proposed again.The bridge received a complete rebuild of the track surface in the early 1990s, at which time the double-track was reduced to one track and centered on the bridge. As for traffic on the line itself, it's pretty safe. Local traffic is mostly hikers riding the DMUs from one trail to another. But the line is important as a detour for the West Coast Main Line - on weekends when there is trackwork between Preston and Carlisle, long-distance trains run down the S&C to Settle Junction, then southwest to Preston. And freight runs had been reinstituted on the line for one customer, though I'm not sure they're still running.JAC