BBC Countryfile

I found myself back on the Settle - Carlisle line again on Tuesday. The BBC Countryfile team found out that the line had been named as number 2 in the 10 greatest railway journeys of the world by ABC News in New York so they arranged to do some filming on the line.

They spoke to Mark Rand, the Chairman of the Friends of the Settle - Carlisle Line, then travelled from Settle to Ribblehead on a Northern train. I met them at Ribblehead, together with Network Rail's mobile operations manager Steve Marney, and we drove part way to Blea Moor signal box, before completing the last 400 metres on foot - something the signaller has to do every day.

They wanted to go into the signal box because some claim it is the most remote on our network, and interview the signaller about his work in such a location.

The signaller on duty was Jay Hartley, one of the relief team that works the line and he gave a very good account of the job etc. to presenter Julia Bradbury.

The programme is due to be broadcast on Sunday 7 Feb on BBC TV.