Ribblehead is famous for the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, which carries the Settle-Carlisle railway across Batty Moss in the Ribble Valley. Construction began in late 1869. It necessitated a large workforce, up to 2,300 men, most of whom lived in shanty towns set up near its base. Over 100 men lost their lives during its construction. The Settle to Carlisle line was the last main railway in Britain to be constructed primarily with manual labour. By the end of 1874, the last stone of the structure had been laid, and on 1 May 1876, the Settle–Carlisle line was opened for passenger services.