WCR - Jacobite 2026

[Cheshire Scot]

....and B1s surely?

They were removed from the access agreement some years ago.

I'd guess maybe West Coast decided they did not have/did not want access to B1s, or maybe was it a civil engineering/track based decision.
Interesting to note in BR steam days Black Fives were not permitted to run to Mallaig - and when they were the chosen motive power in the 1980s revival (under BR!) the choice was the subject of much messroom discussion.

 

[D6130]

I'd guess maybe West Coast decided they did not have/did not want access to B1s, or maybe was it a civil engineering/track based decision.
Interesting to note in BR steam days Black Fives were not permitted to run to Mallaig - and when they were the chosen motive power in the 1980s revival (under BR!) the choice was the subject of much messroom discussion.

In that case the Standard class 5s and B1s must also have been banned, I would have thought.

 

[cats_five]

<snip>

The only consistent is that people will always find a reason to complain at the introduction of new motive power/rolling stock.

Anything new gives some people a reason to complain, in any area of life. Change frequently induces rose-tinted specs for the past in some people, for things they complained vehemently about at the time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The only consistent is that people will always find a reason to complain at the introduction of new motive power/rolling stock.

New rolling stock is one thing. Tatty old Mk2s with largely non-functioning aircon when you want to smell the steam locomotive is entirely another. This isn't replacing the regular 156 with a 170 or whatever (which I'd certainly consider an upgrade given how nice ScotRail's 170s are, though I'm aware they don't fit at present), it's selling a very specific experience which I think it could be validly argued that an aircon (working or not) Mk2 does not deliver.

 

[Railwaycat]

I see the paths are on Realtime for the Jacobite from the 1st April, but no paths for the stock move to Fort William.

 

[WTT Gremlin]

I see the paths are on Realtime for the Jacobite from the 1st April, but no paths for the stock move to Fort William.

Start date is as simple as it is when the firm rights period starts. Ancillary moves could be planned down to A4C* timescales.

*A4C - bid on day 1 to run on day 3

 

[Gwr12345]

A seemingly new development has occurred - WCR have ruled out the use of Mk2s this year, and instead appears to be waiting for an exemption from the ORR to run Mk1s on the Jacobite. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news...n-operator-waiting-learn-fate-rail-regulator/

The operators of the Jacobite steam train are waiting to find out if they can run this year's service with hinged doors that can be opened while it is moving.

Only a short quote as it's paywalled.
As with most WCR decisions at this point, it's certainly interesting. Good job they've built up so much goodwill with the ORR over CDL /end sarcasm.

 

[Falcon1200]

appears to be waiting for an exemption from the ORR to run Mk1s on the Jacobite.

I suspect their wait will be in vain (quite rightly).

 

[hexagon789]

A seemingly new development has occurred - WCR have ruled out the use of Mk2s this year, and instead appears to be waiting for an exemption from the ORR to run Mk1s on the Jacobite. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news...n-operator-waiting-learn-fate-rail-regulator/

Only a short quote as it's paywalled.
As with most WCR decisions at this point, it's certainly interesting. Good job they've built up so much goodwill with the ORR over CDL /end sarcasm.

I will be very surprised if an exemption is granted.

Thus, based on this self-imposed situation, equally surprised if the Jacobite runs this year - unless they u-turn later and run it with Mk2s...

 

[Isle of Mull]

I will be very surprised if an exemption is granted.

Thus, based on this self-imposed situation, equally surprised if the Jacobite runs this year - unless they u-turn later and run it with Mk2s...

If it were not to run I could possibly see the reduction of staff

 

[Killingworth]

Now if I were the ORR I might consider a short term exemption to the end of June if half the carriages to be used were compliant and the others would be by 1st July.

So far no hints seem to have been dropped that such work is under way, or is it quietly happening?

 

[Rail Ranger]

One Mark 1 (99318) appears to have been fitted with CDL at Carnforth.

 

[Railwaycat]

One Mark 1 (99318) appears to have been fitted with CDL at Carnforth.

That's interesting as that's the one converted to a buffet - but was that done so it can run in the CDL mk2 rake? Has it got air brakes/dual braked (my ignorance if they are all dual braked)?
If it is intended for the Jacobite rake then others must be in the shops.
Of course, if a firm commitment (with work started) has been made, then the ORR are going to get it in the neck from the tourist industry, no matter what anyone on here thinks.

 

[Isle of Mull]

That's interesting as that's the one converted to a buffet - but was that done so it can run in the CDL mk2 rake? Has it got air brakes/dual braked (my ignorance if they are all dual braked)?
If it is intended for the Jacobite rake then others must be in the shops.
Of course, if a firm commitment (with work started) has been made, then the ORR are going to get it in the neck from the tourist industry, no matter what anyone on here thinks.

I’d hope they’d have the cop on to do a mk1 set for RTC tours too, and some of the Pullman carriages too

 

[H F Stephens]

That's interesting as that's the one converted to a buffet - but was that done so it can run in the CDL mk2 rake? Has it got air brakes/dual braked (my ignorance if they are all dual braked)?
If it is intended for the Jacobite rake then others must be in the shops.
Of course, if a firm commitment (with work started) has been made, then the ORR are going to get it in the neck from the tourist industry, no matter what anyone on here thinks.

The ORR is unlikely to face much (if any) opprobrium from the tourist/hospitality industry.

They know exactly who the bandits are, and would (largely) be happy to see them driven out of Dodge, if only there was a replacement ready to ride in straight away.

As it stands, some businesses are facing dire futures, but most are probably still siding with the sheriff.

 

[Rail Ranger]

99318 has had its buffet section replaced by seating bays with windows. The vehicle is dual-braked.

 

[Railwaycat]

99318 has had its buffet section replaced by seating bays with windows. The vehicle is dual-braked.

That's even more interesting, a buffet could be done to go with the a/c mk 2's, but no point in an ordinary mk 1 open unless more are being done.

The ORR is unlikely to face much (if any) opprobrium from the tourist/hospitality industry.

They know exactly who the bandits are, and would (largely) be happy to see them driven out of Dodge, if only there was a replacement ready to ride in straight away.

As it stands, some businesses are facing dire futures, but most are probably still siding with the sheriff.

You know that for definite? That there could be a feeling that health and safety is being taken too far - a lot of people do take that opinion these days.

 

[Harpo]

A further exemption for WCR would probably go down badly with those who have paid the price of compliance and who would see non-compliance as obtaining an unfair commercial advantage.

 

[Falcon1200]

Now if I were the ORR I might consider a short term exemption

Why, given the conduct of WCR to date?

the ORR are going to get it in the neck from the tourist industry

The only party responsible for the current situation is WCR.

 

[Railwaycat]

A further exemption for WCR would probably go down badly with those who have paid the price of compliance and who would see non-compliance as obtaining an unfair commercial advantage.

They've agreed to comply, but want to be given time so that the Jacobite can run - there's no commercial advantage because no one else wants to run the Jacobite, they simply don't have the resources.

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The only party responsible for the current situation is WCR.

That might not be the way the general public and others see it when they know they've agreed to comply.

This bashing of West Coast by so called enthusiasts sickens me to be honest, that company has, despite its faults, given so much to preservation and enjoyment for the general public over the years (regular Scarborough Spa Express as well as the Jacobite).

 

[Killingworth]

Why, given the conduct of WCR to date?

Which is why it would be conditional for only 3 months. But it seems even that level of compliance can't be met for 2026.

Is there any indication of action to achieve full compliance for 2027? If not it's the end of WCR running the Jacobite. Is it a viable project for anyone else?

 

[Towers]

Rather like bei

They've agreed to comply, but want to be given time so that the Jacobite can run - there's no commercial advantage because no one else wants to run the Jacobite, they simply don't have the resources.

That isn’t what the commercial advantage is; if a business is permitted to continue trading without having to comply with requirements which others within the same sector have been forced to adhere to, that places the business at a financial and therefore commercial advantage. They don’t need to be all competing for the very same work, it’s merely the principle that one firm has costs of X&Y, and another has been allowed to incur only X and not worry about the further expense of Y.

WCRC have done well out of their exemptions, however it is now time to comply with legislation. If they genuinely cannot, or simply will not, then they would be unable to continue with the operation as it would be unlawful. Similar situations exist throughout all manner of other industries.

 

[Harpo]

there's no commercial advantage because no one else wants to run the Jacobite

Only true if an exemption were limited solely to the Jacobite.

no one else wants to run the Jacobite, they simply don't have the resources.

There’s a full length set of fully compliant main line mk1s in Scotland with SRPS. Didn’t LSL assist with making them compliant as part of a commercial arrangement? Locos? Riley could no doubt help out.

 

[GB&K Joint]

Only true if an exemption were limited solely to the Jacobite.

There’s a full length set of fully compliant main line mk1s in Scotland with SRPS. Didn’t LSL assist with making them compliant as part of a commercial arrangement? Locos? Riley could no doubt help out.

You are right LSL was heavily involved in assisting with completion of the compliance programme for the SRPS vehicles.

However, the SRPS mark 1 set is engaged on their own rail tour programme this summer and the Bo’ness branch service is supported by vehicles from the set at busy times such as galas so would not be available for a seven-days-a-week service at Fort William.

 

[H F Stephens]

You know that for definite?

Yes.

That there could be a feeling that health and safety is being taken too far - a lot of people do take that opinion these days.

That’s completely irrelevant, I’m afraid.

 

[SwindonManor]

If I may quote WCR: They still say about the announcement in coming weeks, BUT they have changed the running dates from last year's timings at last - to;

Running from TBC

Under both morning and afternoon departures
I believe only the Lune Rivers Trust and Muncaster Express are confirmed for this year thus far overall for WCR.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2026 ==

So it makes me wonder how much trouble are WCR really in?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2026 ==

This bashing of West Coast by so called enthusiasts sickens me to be honest, that company has, despite its faults, given so much to preservation and enjoyment for the general public over the years (regular Scarborough Spa Express as well as the Jacobite).

I do partially agree. WCR is an alright company with cheap fares. At least they're finally sorting out CDL in some way.

 

[H F Stephens]

WCR is an alright company with cheap fares. At least they're finally sorting out CDL in some way.

And they say that comedy is dead these days.

 

[31160]

And they say that comedy is dead these days.

Fully agree they have made this mess all by themselves, they were fully aware that CDL was on the horizon and chose to go to court and spend money on lawyers instead of their stock, that was wise not!

 

[CDM Transport]

This bashing of West Coast by so called enthusiasts sickens me to be honest, that company has, despite its faults, given so much to preservation and enjoyment for the general public over the years (regular Scarborough Spa Express as well as the Jacobite).

Absolutely agree with this. WCR have continued to run excursions throughout 2025 albeit these issues and enthusiasts have been tearing them to shreds on the regular. They have been brilliant in the past as you say.

 

[Falcon1200]

WCR is an alright company

Apart from the odd safety incident....