Starlit

 

I am starting this posting with a picture from Facebook, just to occupy the space to the left of the gubbins on the right of the Blog

It shows the amazingly tall retaining wall on Station Road beneath Settle station's down platform which supports the twin track railway line too.  Our 'garden wall' onto the station drive is identical in style and build but less tall of course.  That wall had to retain the weight of the water tower and its water - a massive total weight.

Now for the starlit bit:

Pete Collins is a remarkable photographer who specialises in the night sky.  Last Wednesday was an ideal night for him and rather than contenting himself with his favourite subject - the Ribblehead Viaduct - he thought he would have a go at Settle Station, not without its problems with light pollution, unlike the viaduct.

He asked us to tell him when the station platform lights went out, which we did.  Around midnight he was able to get two stunning pictures.  The first confirms that the Settle-Carlisle railway does indeed go north.  Clearly visible is the familiar shape of The Plough and above it the Pole Star at midnight . . . 

click to enlarge

The next picture shows the water tower to the right - prominently well lit to good effect in this  image:

These were lucky exposures as the station platform lights came on at 0015!  Trains do run at night on the S&C but not with passengers nowadays.