Garsdale station is located very close to the summit of

the Settle and Carlisle route being at an altitude of just over one thousand one hundred feet above sea level. It must have represented real solace for train crews to reach this remote outpost as it offered a place of safety in the form of sidings and loops if a locomotive or train had run into difficulties climbing either side of the 'Long Drag'. The 1908 Midland signal box occupies this dominant position on the down platform and looks particularly well kept as does this station in general.