There were almost a million journeys on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway line in 2025 – and train operator Northern said it was due to top that this year.
Northern recorded 995,000 passenger journeys on the line which links Leeds, Settle and Carlisle last year, which was the highest annual total since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The most popular month for travel on the route last year was August, when 96,000 journeys were made.
Demand is expected to rise again this year, as a series of events will be held to mark the 150th anniversary of the Settle-Carlisle line opening to passengers.
Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company said it has planned a year of celebrations and will be running a chartered steam train between Carlisle and York on Monday, May 25.
Northern said it was also planning to offer thousands of £1.50 tickets to people travelling on the route in the coming months to mark the milestone.
The route features the iconic 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, a quarter of a mile long and 104ft high.
Earlier this year, Lonely Planet named it as one of the top 10 most scenic train trips in Europe.
Pete Myers, chair of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, said: “The Settle-Carlisle line is unique, connecting communities from Yorkshire through to Cumbria, and also providing a sustainable and beautiful way for visitors to explore the Yorkshire Dales, Westmorland Dales and Lake District.
“In our special anniversary year, we are working closely with communities along the line to provide a host of events for visitors and locals to enjoy, and all accessible via our award-winning line.”
The Settle-Carlisle section of the line was completed in 1875, following a challenging and complex construction project involving 6,000 workers. It covers 72 miles and there are 14 tunnels and more than 20 viaducts.
Freight trains ran on the line for a year before passenger services were introduced on May 1 in 1876.
British Rail announced plans to close the line to passengers in 1983 over concerns about the cost of repairing the Ribblehead Viaduct.
But Minister of State for Transport Michael Portillo agreed to step in and save the line, after campaigns run by activists from Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line and Campaign for Better Transport were backed by a swell of public support.
