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WCR - Jacobite 2026
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RailUK Forums
Seems to be speculation at the moment, off the back of comments made by the WCR chairman in Trackside.
A look at RTT for 25th May shows all the paths still in place - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
A look at RTT for 25th May shows all the paths still in place - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
SammySetra
New Member
I hear that the afternoon Jacobite Steam Train service has been cancelled for 2026. Not sure about the reason. Anyone know?
The latest Trackside magazine has some comments from David Smith, WCR chairman. He hasn't opened ticket sales for this year yet as he's not convinced he's going to run the train at all. It made a loss last year, it's too much hassle to operate, local traders aren't appreciative of the trade he brings them, and someone else is welcome to take it over if they like. Pop into your local newsagents and have a read.
43096
On Moderation
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And all of that is entirely down to his own intransigence. Zero sympathy.
H F Stephens
Member
Traders in, especially, Mallaig are extremely appreciative of the gross numbers and the economic profile of passengers which The Jacobite brings in to the town.
They are, anecdotally, a lot less appreciative of the cavalier way in which West Coast has (and sometimes hasn't) run the service and the (often) negative perceptions of the service that arise therefrom.
They are, anecdotally, a lot less appreciative of the cavalier way in which West Coast has (and sometimes hasn't) run the service and the (often) negative perceptions of the service that arise therefrom.
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neil65
Member
45212 is having a overhaul so only one of Ian Riley's Black 5's available i would imagine, as the other will be needed for Railtours with RTC
Maybe if he got on and fitted some door locks it might have been a different story.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Run either service or just the Afternoon one?
Not that I'm planning to use either, but I'm curious and some people I know would appreciate the information.
Thanks
Sour grapes of the oddest type. Maybe some introspection about killing off the valuable ‘Harry Potter Train’ connection would be useful?
I've not got the magazine anymore, my bins were collected today, but it was either service. It came about because the magazine asked him why he hadn't opened up bookings for the morning service yet. In previous years, bookings were open early January. That triggered his rant about unappreciative Mallaig traders and loss of sales. He needs to include a Mk1 coach on the train as it has a dynamo to power electrics, but obviously it's not in passenger use as it doesn't have CDL, so every train is already running with the loss of 64 seats. I think it's pretty clear the writing is on the wall for The Jacobite.Run either service or just the Afternoon one?
Not that I'm planning to use either, but I'm curious and some people I know would appreciate the information.
Thanks
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Thanks, that's a very detailed reply and much appreciated as it explains the factors and reasoning behind it all.
eyebrook1961
Member
His rant sounds rather Trump-esque . . . .
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
He often comes across like that, or as a moaning child - "not fair that we have to comply with the rules!" seems a standard feature, sadly.
Killingworth
Established Member
I hope they are running this year. A friend of my wife has booked a Scottish coach trip with the Jacobite as the star attraction. Several tour companies are doing the same.
At first glance the website suggests 2 trains a day, for dates in 2025. Then says;
See; https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip
At first glance the website suggests 2 trains a day, for dates in 2025. Then says;
See; https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip
anothertyke
Member
I don't know about extremely quickly. Anyone doing that has to source coaches, locos and crew and maintenance staff over and above existing commitments. Could LSL do a deal with SRPS for the coaching stock? Given notice, maybe.Could they send 61306 and 45231 up there? Given time, maybe. Could they assemble the staff? Maybe. Could they do that extremely quickly? No.
Don't underestimate how tough it is operating up there. Fort William is remote and certainly a very long way from Crewe. All of LSL's staff are based around the Crewe area, so there are staffing issues for one. There is the wear and tear on the locos. I understand broken springs are a regular problem for the engines, so a robust maintenance regime is needed. You need backup locos, coaches etc. I think it would be an over-stretch, even for LSL. Might not be worth the hassle. But time will tell!
Whilst it is pretty tough, I wouldn’t underestimate LSLs interest either. They’ve been interested in operating up there for sometime, and hence in part the birth of the West Highland Pullman. There is also the tie-up with the SRPS giving them access to a base in Scotland (albeit in the central belt) and LSL isn’t short of certain locos either (nor, with Mr H’s bank balance would be a stretch to source them either).
The morning service is heavily coach tours as the times are perfect for them, if they are advertising tours as normal then either they are just expecting it to run or have been told it will run. I read a comment that the morning was committed, if they aren't running then it really shouldn't be on the website implying it will.
neil65
Member
More interested in getting money in rather than spending it!!
X-City-WM
Member
David Smith often reminds me of Humphrey Smith, who runs Sam Smiths pubs/brewery.
neil65
Member
The ones where you cant use or pay by mobile phone!! The one in Huddersfield (The Commercial) closed late last year because of this strict ruling
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A friend of mine is in a walking group and, last year, was planning to take 30 of them on the Jacobite one way so they could "walk back" over a few days. He asked for "old-fashioned carriages with big windows". Unable to supply, they went on a Class 156 and saved a fortune.
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Sounds like a 156 meets those requirements quite well.
I do wonder where WC go from here.
They've lost the East Coast Thunderbird contract, the previously lucrative Jacobite is losing money because they refuse to fit CDL to their MK1 fleet so its operated with 1970s coffins instead of the 'Harry Potter'-style compartment coaches, they've spent a lot of money on a whole load of MK2s which, whilst they've allowed them to continue operating, are generally unpopular, and they've only got one steam loco of their own that can actually operate with the MK2s in the form of 34067 - using Riley's 5s for the rest of their work. They've also lost use of Tornado due to their own demands.
Aside from a handful out on hire to heritage lines, they're now sitting on what, 30 or 40 (maybe more?) MK1s that they can't run on the mainline - therefore aren't making money - and they've got the rest of their steam fleet either active but doing nothing, under restoration (where IS 48151?) or awaiting restoration - which also cannot earn money except through hire to heritage lines unless the MK1s are CDL fitted or the locos are air-braked.
They've lost the East Coast Thunderbird contract, the previously lucrative Jacobite is losing money because they refuse to fit CDL to their MK1 fleet so its operated with 1970s coffins instead of the 'Harry Potter'-style compartment coaches, they've spent a lot of money on a whole load of MK2s which, whilst they've allowed them to continue operating, are generally unpopular, and they've only got one steam loco of their own that can actually operate with the MK2s in the form of 34067 - using Riley's 5s for the rest of their work. They've also lost use of Tornado due to their own demands.
Aside from a handful out on hire to heritage lines, they're now sitting on what, 30 or 40 (maybe more?) MK1s that they can't run on the mainline - therefore aren't making money - and they've got the rest of their steam fleet either active but doing nothing, under restoration (where IS 48151?) or awaiting restoration - which also cannot earn money except through hire to heritage lines unless the MK1s are CDL fitted or the locos are air-braked.
I Think you’ll find the Mk1s aren’t sitting around doing nothing though, with several on hire over the winter period to pres lines such as South Devon, Spa Valley and Bolton & Embsay.