A NEW way of exploring the historic Settle to Carlisle line, without even boarding a train, has been unveiled at a refurbished Ribblehead Visitor Centre.

With just a touch of screen "ExploreMoore" lets people view the line between Settle and Blea Moor tunnel using aerial photography and 3D models.

And by clicking on the main features of the line - Ribblehead, Horton and Settle stations, Blea Moor and Settle signal boxes and Helwith Bridge quarry - visitors can explore further, view images and hear personal reminiscences.

People can learn the story of the line from its opening in 1876 through to the present day. It outlines the building of Ribblehead Viaduct and Blea Moor tunnel and life in the navvy settlement.

The exhibition enables more information to be on-line and is accessible to local historians and people researching family history.

It is possible to switch between aerial images, a modern map, and the original Midland Railway plans of the line.

The refurbishment project is part of the "Stories in Stone" initiative with £32,000 coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £12,000 from FoSCL, the Settle-Carlisle Friends.

The high quality aerial photography was provided by Network Rail and the system was developed by Atlantic Geomatics, a Penrith based company specialising in aerial mapping.

Atlantic Geomatics used drones to create 3D models of Ribblehead Viaduct, the navvy camp, and Ribblehead and Horton stations.

The new look centre was opened by the new Managing Director of Northern, David Brown, arriving in the driver’s cab of the 12.02pm train from Leeds and was accompanied by Paul Barnfield, Chris Jackson and John Kitching of Northern.

Bryan Gray, Chairman of the Settle Carlisle Railway Trust, told Mr Brown and other guests: "The vision of the Settle and Carlisle family is to see more trains providing a faster service between Leeds and Carlisle."