WCR - Jacobite 2026

[Bill57p9]

The Jacobite: 2026 Season Update

<p id="isPasted"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://wcr-s3.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1fyKSZNDv7yZHM53E6oDM3dvfOyDfBM9sj0bC7Qk.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib w-full"></p><p>Following valuable feedback from our passengers and an evaluation of the operational costs associated with...

westcoastrailways.co.uk

No new information as such, but confirming the information already speculated by many.

Indeed, though the future tense is used throughout when discussing the fitting of CDL.

 

[Railwaycat]

The Jacobite: 2026 Season Update

<p id="isPasted"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://wcr-s3.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1fyKSZNDv7yZHM53E6oDM3dvfOyDfBM9sj0bC7Qk.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib w-full"></p><p>Following valuable feedback from our passengers and an evaluation of the operational costs associated with...

westcoastrailways.co.uk

No new information as such, but confirming the information already speculated by many.

I think that's quite positive, clearly a commitment made to the ORR to fit CDL on all the stock, not just the Jacobite. What it does do is, no matter what anyone on here thinks, pass the buck to the ORR if the Jacobite doesn't run this season.

 

[hexagon789]

I think that's quite positive, clearly a commitment made to the ORR to fit CDL on all the stock, not just the Jacobite. What it does do is, no matter what anyone on here thinks, pass the buck to the ORR if the Jacobite doesn't run this season.

I don't see that it does in the slightest.

If they had fitted it when they had plenty of opportunity to do so, then they wouldn't be in the position they've put themselves in.

Why should the ORR grant them a further exemption, just because they've said they'll finally fit CDL?

If the ORR was being properly impartial, it should refuse a further exemption and simply say they can run The Jacobite when CDL is fully fitted and not before.

WCRC deserve no leeway here, none at all.

 

[43096]

I don't see that it does in the slightest.

If they had fitted it when they had plenty of opportunity to do so, then they wouldn't be in the position they've put themselves in.

Why should the ORR grant them a further exemption, just because they've said they'll finally fit CDL?

If the ORR was being properly impartial, it should refuse a further exemption and simply say they can run The Jacobite when CDL is fully fitted and not before.

WCRC deserve no leeway here, none at all.

Absolutely. It’s a shame WCRC has wasted a load of time - not to mention plenty of money on lawyers - to get to a position they could have had it all resolved two years ago.

What a way to run a business.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Been reported elsewhere that West Coast have fitted seven Mark 1s with CDL for the Jacobite, to be used on the morning train. So hopefully just a formality for the CDL to be signed off by the ORR? The press release reads that the start of the Jacobite will not be that far off.

 

[martin butler]

Been reported elsewhere that West Coast have fitted seven Mark 1s with CDL for the Jacobite, to be used on the morning train. So hopefully just a formality for the CDL to be signed off by the ORR? The press release reads that the start of the Jacobite will not be that far off.

Why on earth did they just not fit the CDL before, why go through court cases, spending money, that would have been better spent complying with the regulator's requirements.

 

[hexagon789]

Why on earth did they just not fit the CDL before, why go through court cases, spending money, that would have been better spent complying with the regulator's requirements.

Exactly my thinking...

 

[Railwaycat]

I don't see that it does in the slightest.

If they had fitted it when they had plenty of opportunity to do so, then they wouldn't be in the position they've put themselves in.

Why should the ORR grant them a further exemption, just because they've said they'll finally fit CDL?

If the ORR was being properly impartial, it should refuse a further exemption and simply say they can run The Jacobite when CDL is fully fitted and not before.

WCRC deserve no leeway here, none at all.

You aren't the general public, who, rightly or wrongly, often take a dim view as regards what they see as bureaucracy and 'the nanny state' - why do you think Reform are so popular?

Why on earth did they just not fit the CDL before, why go through court cases, spending money, that would have been better spent complying with the regulator's requirements.

I'm afraid no one's going to give you an answer, so let's hopefully just move on.
I can see a situation this season where there is only the morning service, with the mk2 set covering for maintenance if another mk1 set can't be ready in time, because of the economic situation - blame Chump for that.

 

[Falcon1200]

What it does do is, no matter what anyone on here thinks, pass the buck to the ORR if the Jacobite doesn't run this season.

No, the buck is, and always has been, with WCR for not making the safety improvements that other operators have.

 

[Isle of Mull]

The Jacobite: 2026 Season Update

<p id="isPasted"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://wcr-s3.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1fyKSZNDv7yZHM53E6oDM3dvfOyDfBM9sj0bC7Qk.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib w-full"></p><p>Following valuable feedback from our passengers and an evaluation of the operational costs associated with...

westcoastrailways.co.uk

No new information as such, but confirming the information already speculated by many.

Does this include a set for RTC tours or just Jacobite

 

[37069]

Does this include a set for RTC tours or just Jacobite

“We have reached an agreement with the ORR to install Central Door Locking (CDL) systems across our entire fleet of Mark 1 carriages used on the mainline.”

The whole lot.

 

[Harpo]

What it does do is, no matter what anyone on here thinks, pass the buck to the ORR if the Jacobite doesn't run this season.

Only in the mind of WCRC. The paper trail and (yet more) totally avoidable court costs for WCRC tell the real story.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Apr 2026 ==

“We have reached an agreement with the ORR to install Central Door Locking (CDL) systems across our entire fleet of Mark 1 carriages used on the mainline.”

The whole lot.

‘Used on the mainline’ could do with a definition and some numeracy. Currently it stands at zero (for passenger use) and could mean just a handful of Jacobite vehicles.

I’m sure the usual level of 10A public relations will apply here.

 

[co-tr-paul]

Too late for Pathfinder... .

 

[Bill57p9]

‘Used on the mainline’ could do with a definition and some numeracy. Currently it stands at zero (for passenger use) and could mean just a handful of Jacobite vehicles.

Indeed. WCRC have something in the region of 66 Mk1 vehicles currently with Regulation 4 exemptions from ORR.

I do note that the only current Regulation 5 (CDL) exemption is NYMR, i.e. all other operators have completed fitting CDL. Am I correct in recalling that some operators had temporary exemptions in 2024 and possibly 2025 whilst they fitted CDL?

 

[Harpo]

Too late for Pathfinder... .

Pathfinder’s issues with WCRC ran far deeper than just a lack of mk1s.

 

[SECR 65]

Am I correct in recalling that some operators had temporary exemptions in 2024 and possibly 2025 whilst they fitted CDL?

Yes, I believe a number of operators agreed a schedule for fitment of CDL a few years back and recieved exemptions to bridge the gap.

 

[martin butler]

Yes, I believe a number of operators agreed a schedule for fitment of CDL a few years back and recieved exemptions to bridge the gap.

Yes, and the exemptions were always given on the understanding that agreed timescales to fit CDL, would be adhered to that the agreements were made in good faith, and with one exemption, they were, it was fitted as agreed to the time scale, the exemption was West Coast who instead, of sticking to the agreement, ripped it up then throwed a tantrum when ORR said no more exemptions.

 

[RGM654]

Been reported elsewhere that West Coast have fitted seven Mark 1s with CDL for the Jacobite, to be used on the morning train. So hopefully just a formality for the CDL to be signed off by the ORR? The press release reads that the start of the Jacobite will not be that far off.

No exemption is needed for coaches with CDL.

 

[SwindonManor]

The main thing is they've actually got their act together without denying the rules...
I just think their avoidance was due to costs they didn't want to spend they wanted to be profitable but in the process lost money that could've been earnt

 

[DarloRich]

I think that's quite positive, clearly a commitment made to the ORR to fit CDL on all the stock, not just the Jacobite. What it does do is, no matter what anyone on here thinks, pass the buck to the ORR if the Jacobite doesn't run this season.

it does nothing of the sort. The buck remains with WCRC who have spent fortunes in time and treasure fighting something they could have just dealt with sensibly over a long time line using the money they wasted on lawyers to do so. Thier competitors managed to do that.

Did WCRC not have an exemption on doors & fail to comply with it? If so, and considering the poor safety record WCRC hold, why would the ORR give them another exemption? Why would WCRC expect one? It seems "brass necky" to even ask!

You aren't the general public, who, rightly or wrongly, often take a dim view as regards what they see as bureaucracy and 'the nanny state' - why do you think Reform are so popular?

It is clear you want to blame anyone BUT WCRC. This whole situation was completely avoidable and shows WCRC in a bad light IMO. It could and should have been a non issue.

The main thing is they've actually got their act together without denying the rules

eventually.

 

[Harpo]

You aren't the general public, who, rightly or wrongly, often take a dim view as regards what they see as bureaucracy and 'the nanny state' -

The ‘bureaucracy and nanny state’ that keeps people safe and makes sure that people go home from work at the end of every day? Only the hard of thinking have issues with that, something which probably answers your question.

why do you think Reform are so popular?

 

[gingerheid]

Blimey. They're still at it? I do feel that the railway can be a bit over engineered and expensive, but I didn't even have any sympathy for WCRC last year, let alone this year!

 

[SECR 65]

Does the return of vac braked mk1s widen the range of steam locos that could be used on the Jacobite this year or not? Am I right not many classes are passed for the line?

 

[hexagon789]

Does the return of vac braked mk1s widen the range of steam locos that could be used on the Jacobite this year or not? Am I right not many classes are passed for the line?

Not sure what else is available, but WCRC have the following permitted in their access agreement over the WHL Extension:

Black Fives
K1
8F
Class 37s

B1s were previously also allowed, but since removed.

 

[SECR 65]

Not sure what else is available, but WCRC have the following permitted in their access agreement over the WHL Extension:

Black Fives
K1
8F
Class 37s

B1s were previously also allowed, but since removed.

I assume there would be no way of passing any other classes for the WHL? E.g. a Bulleid? but probably too big? I'm not sure what the process for locos being approved over the line is.

 

[HertiageFan]

Not sure what else is available, but WCRC have the following permitted in their access agreement over the WHL Extension:

Black Fives
K1
8F
Class 37s

B1s were previously also allowed, but since removed.

If they are using vac mk1s, they could use 44932 until 44871 is available also apparently the 8f is available for traffic but I don’t know

 

[amahy]

Not sure what else is available, but WCRC have the following permitted in their access agreement over the WHL Extension:

Black Fives
K1
8F
Class 37s

B1s were previously also allowed, but since removed.

Pretty sure Class 47s are allowed as well.

 

[Iskra]

Pretty sure Class 47s are allowed as well.

And presumably HST’s since the Midland Pullman has visited. Not sure what state the WCRC HST’s are in, but they’re another option.

Also 33’s I think too.

 

[Isle of Mull]

And presumably HST’s since the Midland Pullman has visited. Not sure what state the WCRC HST’s are in, but they’re another option.

Also 33’s I think too.

I’d love to see a 33 tour to there

 

[hexagon789]

If they are using vac mk1s, they could use 44932 until 44871 is available also apparently the 8f is available for traffic but I don’t know

I believe the 8F is indeed unavailable.

Pretty sure Class 47s are allowed as well.

And presumably HST’s since the Midland Pullman has visited. Not sure what state the WCRC HST’s are in, but they’re another option.

Also 33’s I think too.

To clarify, that list is what WCRC have in their access agreement that they can use, not what the route permits which is indeed less restrictive.