The first freight train ran over the iconic Settle and Carlisle line in August 1875. To mark 150 years of freight services across the line, Heidelberg Materials UK, which owns Horton quarry, GB Railfreight (GBRf) who run freight services, and the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust brought together industry figures to an event at Horton quarry.

At the event, GBRf named locomotive 66791, “Settle & Carlisle 150” to mark the occasion before the locomotive departed to Doncaster along the Settle and Carlisle line, crossing the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

The quarry at Horton has produced limestone and high-quality gritstone since 1889, which have played a crucial role in delivering infrastructure projects across the north-west of England.

The Settle-Carlisle line is one of the UK’s most famous scenic rail routes, taking in 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels and countless beautiful vistas along the 72 mile route. The first freight train ran on this historic line on 2 August 1875, helping to shape the economic and industrial landscape of northern England for generations.

In July 2025, rail freight services were restored to Horton quarry with GBRf operating the first rail freight service in six decades. Restoring the rail connection represents a significant step in enhancing sustainable freight transport in the region, reducing road haulage and supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

John Smith OBE, Chief Executive Officer of GBRf and trustee of the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust, said: “In a year of milestones, we are proud to name our locomotive after this special railway line. Like rail freight, the Settle and Carlisle line has played a key role in driving the economy. Since 2019, we’ve had a fantastic partnership with Heidelberg Materials UK, moving 6 million tonnes of aggregates and cement nationally. Now with this new rail link, we can continue to move more aggregates via rail out of Horton quarry to projects across the North West, reducing emissions in the local area.”

Becky Murphy, Aggregates Regional Director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “The reopening of the rail link is part of our strategy to improve our network of rail connected quarries and depots. It allows us to supply high quality aggregate to construction projects by rail, reducing vehicle movements on the wider road network and cutting associated carbon emissions.”

Bryan Gray CBE DL, Chairman of the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust, said: “The Settle-Carlisle line is one of the world’s great railway journeys enjoyed by travellers and tourists. It also supports the many communities along the line and has in the past been an important freight line. We are delighted that freight traffic is increasing, and the naming of a freight locomotive is a fitting tribute to those who built the line and have kept traffic moving for 150 years.”

Press release provided by GBRFreight, Some images provided by Mark R Harvey