Lightning strikes damage signalling equipment on the Settle to Carlisle line

Rail Charter Services, the private operator running the summer 'tourist trains' between Appleby and Skipton, confirmed that several of their services were delayed and disrupted by the strike, which saw a section of the Settle to Carlisle line near the Blea Moor signal box temporarily closed.

The line re-opened at around 8am and services have resumed. As well as the tourist specials, Northern run a mainline service between Leeds and Carlisle along the route, and it is also used by freight traffic.

The strike affected the Ribblehead to Settle section of the iconic line and there was damage to signalling equipment at both Blea Moor and Settle Junction.

The first train to pass through the section at caution after the re-opening was Rail Charter Services' empty stock movement to form the 8.35 service from Skipton, which had been stuck at Appleby overnight.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “At 3.40am this morning, multiple lightning strikes at Blea Moor damaged signalling equipment that controls the safe movement of trains on the Settle to Carlisle line.

“This caused 45-minute delays to three services and we’d like to thank passengers for their patience during this time.

“The good news is our engineers have repaired the damage, which means trains are running once more to allow people to enjoy this picturesque railway.”

Blea Moor, the affected signal box, is one of the most remote in Britain. It is manned by signalman Dan Weatherill, 32 - who in 2018 told us what it's like to have one of the loneliest jobs on the rail netwok.