Part of the popular Settle-Carlisle railway line is back in action, as engineers prepare to reveal details of their major repair plan almost five months after a 500,000-tonne land slip forced its closure.

Trains are now running as far north as Armathwaite as it emerged that the Eden Brows land slip – 10 times the weight of the QE2 ocean liner when it is fully loaded – has moved a further 1.5 metres since the closure on February 9.

Passengers have been using rail replacement bus services between Carlisle and Appleby since February.

Details on the Settle-Carlisle Railway website state that existing train times to and from Appleby will continue with revised timings for journeys to and from Armathwaite.

A number of changes to the bus connections have also been made after northbound services to Armathwaite resumed on Monday.

It leaves only the stretch between Carlisle and Armathwaite left to repair – and that work is not expected to be fully reopened until early 2017.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We and our partners at Northern and The Friends of Settle and Carlisle Line will be speaking face-to-face with local residents on Thursday, explaining how we are restoring this historic railway and answering any questions that the public may have.

“We will be in a number of villages including Armathwaite, Lazonby, Kirk-oswald and Appleby.

“We are conscious of the importance of the Settle-Carlisle railway to the communities it serves and we are pleased that Northern services are now running as far as Armathwaite as the landslip repairs progress.”

Anne Ridley, operations manager for the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, said: “It is good news that Network Rail has now completed remedial work at various sites between Appleby and Armathwaite.

“The extension of train services to Armathwaite is welcome news for local residents and for visitors to the area.”

Passengers are urged to check updated timetables.

Only one platform will be used for all trains at Armathwaite, Lazonby and Langwathby.

Signs are displayed at the three stations to tell passengers that the platform they would normally use for journeys to Leeds will not be in use.

Network Rail has informed residents close to the line of its latest development. On a postcard to residents, Network Rail also pledged to reveal more about its “extensive repair plan” next Thursday.