Langwathby and Long Meg, Armathwaite and Howe & Co sidings area of the Settle and Carlisle Railway

As a result of illness, injury and family issues, 6 members (instead of the expected 10) met at Little Salkeld and spent a glorious sunny (and hot) morning exploring the remains of the Gypsum mining operation and associated rail connections at Long Meg. These remains included a number of main line sleepers, chairs and clearly visible trackbed, and narrow gauge trackwork and some wagons. The group then moved to Armathwaite where John Johnson, on behalf of the FoSCL, made us very welcome in the restored signal box and explained its history and the artefacts there, many of which originated in that box. Following lunch, the party continued to Cocklakes where the tramway from the gypsum processing works to the Howe & Co. Sidings crossed the road – with track still visible, embedded in the tarmac. The exchange siding area was viewed, as was the Signal Box, now the S&C Fringe box to the Carlisle Power Box.