Jacobite steam train cancelled for 12 days as safety row over door locks goes on
The Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite steam train service has been cancelled for at least the first 12 days of its summer season from today due to a safety row, but its operator said it “hoped to be able to operate scheduled future trips”.
West Coast Railways (WCR) had planned to run daily trains on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig until October, with an additional afternoon services between May and September.
However, it announced last week that the excursions would be suspended because of an ongoing dispute with safety regulators over the requirement for central locking on the carriages’ doors.
WCR lost a court battle with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in December over a further exemption to the regulations, then it lodged another application for an exemption three weeks ago.
The ORR said it would take four months to access the application and criticised the operator for failing to make “sensible contingency plans” to avoid having to cancel services and inconvenience passengers.
WCR declined to discuss its contingency plans. There has been speculation they could include drafting in another set of carriages from its fleet with central locking fitted, or locks being added to The Jacobite’s carriages.
A WCR spokesperson said: “Trips have been cancelled from March 28 to April 8 inclusive.
“Unfortunately, both our contingency planning options and the number of bookings being refunded are confidential at this time.”
A statement posted on the company’s website on Tuesday stated: “The Jacobite 2024 season is currently unavailable for new bookings.please stay tuned for updates.
“As we are unable to offer alternative trips on The Jacobite at this time, our reservations team will process full refunds for customers with bookings on those dates [March 28 to April 8] in the next five working days. This suspension of this service is due to a debate with the rail regulator around door locking. We share the regulator’s commitment to safety and our priority now is to work with it to renew permission to enable us to run The Jacobite on the main rail line.”
Road to the Isles Marketing Group urged ticket holders to switch to the Scotrail service.
Chairperson Sine Mackellaig Davis said: “Passengers can still enjoy the world-famous route on the same rail track, enjoy the same breathtaking views and experience travelling over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.”
An ORR spokesperson said: “All heritage operators were told several years ago that to operate after March 2023, they either needed to fit central door locking or obtain an exemption from us. WCR’S application for an exemption failed and they made a claim for judicial review.
"A temporary exemption was granted to maintain the status quo, enabling WCR to operate whilst the litigation reached a conclusion.
“Despite this, WCR chose to sell tickets when it was far from certain a new application for an exemption would be granted.”