HASTE YE BACK: JULY PLAN FOR HIGHLANDS ‘JACOBITE’
West Coast to run Scotland’s most famous train half full as Riley’s ‘Fives’ return to the Fort.
West Coast has published social distancing guidelines that could well set the standard for the foreseeable future; bolstered by Scotland’s plans to open up tourism from July 15, the Carnforth outfit is now planning to launch its flagship ‘Jacobite’ from two days after that, July 17... or maybe even two days before.
The start of the Fort William-Mallaig operation has already been put back a number of times, as Scotland has stayed in lockdown since March. Now though, the plan is to jump right in with the repeat itinerary that traditionally beats all others – straight into its high-season, seven-day-a-week and two-trains-a-day schedule. Ian Riley’s ‘Black Fives’ Nos. 44871 and 45407 are once again expected to be the regulars.
Does that mean everything will be as it was? No. Passengers now receive a hefty set of guidelines – from tickets by email (or if you can’t, “in a wipe-clean PVC wallet”), to boarding and disembarking in a managed order, and advising face protection “especially when moving around the train”.
Now if you had a choice as operator, there’s little doubt the ‘Jacobite’ is a good way to bed in new rules. Not only are the ‘Road to the Isles’ trips steady winners, their sheer volume and everyday nature give a great chance to refine new procedures – and justify things like signs on stations.
As with Locomotive Services (SR506), West Coast has reduced passenger capacity – it works out at 35 people in a Tourist Second Open rather than 64.
There is, of course, a simple equation: if you put fewer people in a coach, you need more coaches to carry the same number of people… That’s a headache for any promoter, but on this winding single-track route there’s a very clear restriction: Glenfinnan’s passing loop can only take six coaches – and the two ‘Jacobites’ cross there in the afternoon… so
(thinking aloud) could you change the timetable to separate them? Or perhaps run just one as a longer set, even with a tail gunner diesel to shunt at Mallaig? Right now though, almost any form of ‘Jacobite’ would surely be welcome…
However, uncertainty about ‘when’ hasn’t quite disappeared completely just yet – Scotland is to make a final decision on its opening-up plan on July 9.