Jacobite

[Tim B]

Hello
I have booked a few days in Glasgow later this month to try out a few scenic Scottish rail line, such as new Borders Line.
Would you recommend the Jacobite train Fort William - Mallaig and return ? How comfortable is it and is first class worth the extra ?

Is it possible to purchase first class seating on the Serco sleeper, Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William on 05:48, return on 19:00 from Fort William. National Rail is indicating only Standard Class fare; should I try Serco or Scotrail ?

Thanks for your help.
Tim B

 

[DarloRich]

I have never done the Jacobite but looking at reviews and pictures it looks fantastic so i would say yes!

I don't think there is first class seating on the sleeper as there is only one seated carriage per portion but i have only ever had a berth so cant really comment. I have often thought about doing that loop so let us know if you do!

 

[sprinterguy]

As DarloRich says, there is only standard class seating on the sleeper, as there is just a single seated carriage per Scottish destination.

I travelled on the Jacobite last year: It's certainly worth doing at least once. The carriages are older mark 1s of late fifties and early sixties construction and feature proper sprung seats: As such, standard class is quite comfortable. I personally don't think that the limited differentiation between standard and first class is worth the extra cost.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have done the Jacobite steam train and it is very good. The fact that you may be doing it in September or October may also mean it's not quite so busy. The colours of the Autumn foliage may be starting to happen too so the scenery which is always great, should look amazing.

The train normally has 6 or 7 carriages, the seating is a bit more spacious in first class. I think, but you should check this, you may get tea & coffee included too.

You get about two hours in Mallaig, time enough to get something to eat, there is a nice licensed cafe/restaurant, I think over a fish shop not far from the station, but if you are eating Fish & Chips outside in the village, watch out for sea gulls who will swoop down and nick your food out of your hand!

The daytime train ride from Glasgow to Fort William is very good too. I did it, but stayed in Fort William the nights before and after the Jacobite train in case the mainline or sleeper train was delayed. Especially in the North Bound direction. I think the 0548 from Glasgow would only have about a 30 - 40 minute connection.

You could also see if you can book the steam dreams/scotrail steam service from Edinburgh on the reopened Borders lines, I think it's steam out and diesel hauled back. I think they have a few departures in the next few weeks.

As well as those two lines, the journey from Glasgow to Oban is very good too as are the lines in the fare North from Inverness to Kyle and to Thurso & Wick. That's if you have the time to spare of course.

There are a few short steam branch lines too, 1 from Aviemore, another from Keith to Dufftown, plus a couple in the Aberdeen/Deeside and one near Edinburgh.

Hope you have a great time.

(After writing all this, I think, I shall have to come up to Scotland and do some of these next year, perhaps combined with a loco hauled service on the Cumbrian coast line too. )

 

[Flying Snail]

As said above only the 1 class on the seated sleeper. It is listed as Reservations compulsory but in reality it is fine to board without, it is never close to full from Glasgow anyway.

The connection time to the Jacobite is an issue, they won't hold it for the sleeper if it misses it's path. If the sleeper is delayed more than about 15 mns it gets held back to cross the morning Glasgow bound services and ends up about 40 late into Fort William with Jacobite already gone.

You can always get the service train to Mallaig in time to catch the return Jacobite service though.

Have you looked at the Freedom Of Scotland ticket? It may suit your needs, valid on everything on but the Jacobite. Also valid on a few nice bus/coach routes if that interests you: Oban-Fort William and Fort William-Inverness are quite scenic and connect with the rail lines, both are operated by coaches. Carlisle-Galashiels to connect with borders rail is a nice enough trip but is normally run with single decker buses

At this time of year returning from Fort William on the evening sleeper will not be great as it will be in darkness for most of the trip.

An alternative may be to do a loop Glasgow-Fort William-Mallaig-Skye (ferry)-Kyle (bus)-Inverness-Glasgow.

 

[181]

As said above only the 1 class on the seated sleeper. It is listed as Reservations compulsory but in reality it is fine to board without, it is never close to full from Glasgow anyway.

This is correct, but although it counts as standard class, the seats are first-class-style ones (2 + 1, reclining).

The connection time to the Jacobite is an issue, they won't hold it for the sleeper if it misses it's path. If the sleeper is delayed more than about 15 mns it gets held back to cross the morning Glasgow bound services and ends up about 40 late into Fort William with Jacobite already gone.

I did once catch the Jacobite after arriving on the sleeper which had been delayed and passed the southbound train at Bridge of Orchy rather than Rannoch, but the timetable may have changed since then (it was in the days of class 37s).

 

[Flying Snail]

I did once catch the Jacobite after arriving on the sleeper which had been delayed and passed the southbound train at Bridge of Orchy rather than Rannoch, but the timetable may have changed since then (it was in the days of class 37s).

They have.

Winter TT 2002: Sleeper booked arrival FW 09.43 Jacobite dep 10.20
Now 09.55 - 10.15