West Coast Railways have confirmed that the Jacobite steam train will resume from the 15th April.
The Jacobite is popular with passengers around the world but had to be suspended as the operator awaited a temporary exemption that would allow it to operate the trains without central door locking.
WCRC is to introduce a fleet of carriages with central door locking from the 15th April with passengers asked to rebook if their journey was cancelled.
Trains will be shorter than usual with no Harry Potter coach and reduced First-Class capacity.
The carriages will only be used until WCRC can secure the exemption to allow the usual Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches to be used.
Usually from May, the Jacobite is ran twice a day, but with the reduced capacity, The Jacobite will only run the morning service.
“We are thrilled to have the Jacobite back up and running and look forward to welcoming customers on board. The team has done an exceptional job in getting a fleet of carriages ready to kick-start our 2024 season.
“We continue to engage both the ORR and Department for Transport with a request for the temporary exemption so that we can operate our heritage carriages on the main line. Our customers have told us for many years that travelling in these carriages is a highlight of the Jacobite experience. The exemption will also enable us to run an extra First-Class carriage and our famous Harry Potter carriage.
“For now, we are delighted that we can start to take visitors across the Scottish Highlands to visit Fort William, Mallaig and Glenfinnan. We understand those communities have been impacted by the suspension of the Jacobite and I hope this offers reassurance to local business owners.”
James Shuttleworth, Commercial Manager, West Coast Railways
I think it is quite clear that they are not going to get the exemption.
Some people talking about a ‘heritage experience’ are clearly the spiritual descendants of John Chester Craven, that most formidable martinet among locomotive superintendents after the Clayton Tunnel disaster.
“My board feel bound to state frankly that they have not seen reason to alter the views which they have so long entertained on this subject, and they still fear that the telegraphic system of working recommended by the Board of Trade will, by transferring much responsibility from the engine drivers, augment rather than diminish the risk of accident. Indeed they think it is open to grave doubt whether the circumstances of the serious collision in question do not, when fairly considered, tend to prove that the increasing practice of multiplying signals, and thus lessening the responsibility of the engine driver who is in charge of the motive power, and whose own life is at stake, has not resulted in reducing rather than increasing the safety of railway locomotion.” 😉
Please no exemption. Health and Safety is too important to sacrifice on corporate greed.
As a teenager I travelled to and from school on slam-door DMUs. No, I was never stupid enough to open the doors while the train was moving (although in-a-hurry commuters did!). However there were occasions when the driver misjudged his stop and, without realising it, we were off the platform end. On one occasion (and it wasn’t night-time, which would have been worse) I nearly had a very nasty fall. As others have said, WCR has had years to comply with the ORR, I have little sympathy for them.
Shower of chancers trying to avoid safety requirements in the pursuit of higher profits. I used it once – never again , it was filthy inside and out. It surprises me none that they want exemptions from safety requirements that are there for a good reason.
Silly me ; the class 306 units had sliding dorrs/
I keep refelecting on the many comments on here and in the media but one which leaves me baffled is attributed to Mr Shuttleworth of WCRC who says part of the attraction of the Jacobite is the Mark one coaches. What I ask is if the Mark 1s continue (with CDL) would the average punter notice any difference and would the little orange box on the coach really get noticed ~ it will not be illuminated when joining or alighting from a stationary train ? Perhaps only those who wish to alight from a moving train will be bothered !?
As a retired BR controller I can definitely confirm there were many accidents with the slam door stock including fatalities. Indeed much surprisewas expressed that following the LNER designed Class 306 ‘slam door units’ introduced on the Liverpool Street – Shenfield service following BR EMUs reverted to slam ( hinged ) doors not only accident prone but the cause of delay.
People on here may be sensible but the world at large isn’t. Think back to the time when car seat belts were made compulsory and the controvery that generated…………………………..unbelievable now.
This problem of opening doors whilst a train was slowing down at a platform is not new. For instance, college students alighting, on the run, a “Clacton Set” Class 309 before the train had stopped at Chelmsford in 1966, were met by Station Staff and British Transport Police at the top of the stairs of the platform and escorted to an office where they were severely warned.
I can’t believe the comments here. It’s nothing to do with people not knowing how to work door handles, infact it’s the opposite. It’s to stop the idiots who do know how the handles work from opening doors as the train comes in to the platform.
No, people shouldn’t be so stupid as to open a door on a moving train but unfortunately they do. You see all the time on heritage lines where a man – it’s always a man – has got the droplight down and his hand on the handle as trains come into the platform. And If they’re stupid enough to do it and they get hurt then that is on them but that doesn’t give them the right to kill or injure someone else.
They should just do what is required you have to nowadays make it idiot proof open a door running into a station you could kill someone on the platform it not nanny safe it’s the safe thing to do spend some money West Coast and don’t forget this is the company suspended a few years back for running red signals!
The absolute and sheer arrogance of WCR, and its principle owner David Smith, are astounding. With a Gross revenue for 2023 closing on £12m and a net profit of £1.9m and shareholdings of over £5.6m, they’ve spent more on legal challenges against the ORR than it would cost to start the process of fitting CDL. If they’ve found stock to run their Jacobite train they should focus on doing that and providing the best service and passenger experience possible rahter than taking us all for a ride on their ego trip of attempting to get around safety regulations in my view of it. Also why is this issue focussed only on their Jacobite train when they run other trains using Mk1 stock from the photographs on their website?
Ian, if David Smith is so incompetant and you are so clever, the obvious solution is that you run your own perfect heritage rail company and show us ALL how it is done. I have been on the Jacobite several times and was 100% happy with the service – and I also managed not to fall out of the carriage and kill myself.
The problem is, firstly, they have had repeated warnings to fit CDL and haven’t. There were conditions attached to their exemption which they were found to be in breach of, along with various other incidents where they believed the rules didn’t apply to them.
Yes I also have never fallen from a train, however, not only has the rail industry always strived for improved safety, but we also live in a world where if a passenger gets injured, even if it is through their own stupidity, the TOC and network rail get sued for it
Stop treating people like children.
I’ve never had the inclination to open a door on a moving train.
My car has doors that I can open while I’m driving but so far no-one has got out till I’ve stopped the car.
Grow up and get on with real life.
Trouble Andy, is that people have, believe it or not !
I hope West Coast Railways cannot secure an exemption. It’s about time they were completely removed from operating this service and replaced by a company who will abide by safety regulations. They have had more than ample time to do what is necessary but have simply shirked their responsibility. Architects of their own downfall?
I’m looking forward to the comments when their exemption is refused on the grounds that they have ‘found’ legal coaches.
We’ve had trains without central door locking for nearly two centuries! Isn’t it about time that people took some responsibility for their own health and safety instead of relying on the nanny state?
Exactly
It isn’t only about the safety of those opening the doors though – if they injure themselves it’s down to them. It’s also about those on the platforms who might be damaged by a door swinging open as the train runs inor a small child openoit inadvertently while the train is running at 70mph on the main line. There is another issue too. These mark 1 coaches are all at least 60 years old, becoming tatty and have no toilet retention tanks ( a requirement on all main line stock these days. David Smith is just an arrogant so-and-so who doesn’t want to obey the rules. He should be made to or go out of business.
If WCR agree to start a programme of central locking and finish it in a reasonable time, they will get their exemption. If they won’t do that the ORR will not back down and the government will not dare to try and influence an independent safety regulator. People might not like the health and safety rules but they are here to stay regardless.
The bit I don’t understand is, with less capacity why have they scrapped the afternoon train?
Because it was two sets of trains. The afternoon train leaves before the morning train gets back and they passed at Glenfinnan station.
Silly me! Thanks!
Perhaps if people weren’t so stupid nowadays, ordinary door locks would still be sufficient
Having sent us an email cancelling our April 16th trip, with 5 days notice, we were left to alter plans and cancel hotels. TODAY, 3 days notice, we were given the option to keep our tickets ….. not the 1st Class or Champagne included that we paid £230 for!! Also no partial refund so they’ve lost our custome and goodwill. What an absolute shambles!
Seriously the modern generation are not capable of operating the doors on a vintage carriage because there is no electronic button
Simple solution for them to get all the passengers a disclaimer before they get on the train so if they are stupid enough to open the door before it stops in the station it’s their fault
Tell me Paul where does your simple solution hold up when the moron you mention opens the door as the train runs into a station hitting and killing an innocent child standing on the platform. Not as simple as you seem to think.
What is an “innocent” child doing so close to the platform edge? The child should know better (if old enough to be on its own), or its parent/guardian should take responsibility.
What a stunningly ludicrous and callous comment. It’s the 21st century, and a couple of generations now have grown up not knowing that outward-swinging doors on trains exist. There are all sorts of scenarios where a child might – even if just for a second or two – find themselves in harm’s way. Not that you seem to give a toss. You really need to take a long hard look at yourself.
Richard: A child ought not be standing so close the the platform edge and its PARENTS should ensure that it is safe. I find it amazing I have made it to 71 given the lack of nannying in my life. Good luck to West Coast – I am amazed they continue given the elf and safety hassle constantly thrown at them.
We have one ambulance one fire engine two police vehicles to cover a vast remote area a lot of the rail line is inaccessible by road please just use common sense and abide by the safety rules
Health and Safety doesn’t work like that Paul. A signed disclaimer does nor absolve an employer from the responsibility to his workforce. Same with WCR. A disclaimer would not make any difference if their was an accident with doors regardless of fault. The answer is for West Coast Railways to get the job done. End of!
Sorry but I cannot feel any sympathy for a company making 4.72 million a season in ticket sales……..
It is indeed a strange world where some occupants of it are incapable of using a door handle if its on a moveable vehicle but have no problem at all if its on a fixed structure such as their home!
To put it another way how many people are familiar with door handles in their homes and why cant they then make the handles work on a train?
Tell me who is responsible for the child on the station then? FFS people accept your personal responsibilities!!!!
The problem is being driven by the people who insist on hanging out of windows and open doorways to get their photos and selfies. They potentially put others at risk in the same way drunk drivers do. There were fatalities back in the day when slam door stock was common and commuters in a rush opened doors at speed. People trying to make a ‘culture war’ issue out of this, whining about the ‘nanny state’, would be the first to complain if one of their loved ones was maimed or killed by someone else’s stupidity that could have been prevented. What next, a campaign to bring back gas lighting on coaches and time interval working?
I am pleased that the good and innocent businesses of Lochaber may be able to salvage something for this summer, after all they are the unwitting passengers on WCR’s “Arrogance Express”, a ride none of them wanted to be on. WCR must have realised that the possibility of the ORR refusing further exemptions may happen and to have a Plan B in place would have made sense. That Plan B being fit CDL like other operators have done. WCR could have been working through their fleet of coaches doing a couple a year so they would be ready if the ORR refuses any further exemptions. And so it has come to pass and WCR goes back to court. How many coaches could they have done with the legal fees they have spent so far??
To Victoria, the photo is relevant this time, thumbs up 🙂
Bring in a professional operating company
Spot on…
I am pleased for the businesses of Lochaber that they may be able to salvage something this summer. They are the unfortunate passengers on WCR’s “Arrogance Express”, a train ride they did not want to go on. WCR would’ve known there was always the possibility that the ORR would not renew the exemption so should have been working through their fleet getting several done a year so when that time did come they were ready and could hit the ground running, but no. What is the Plan B Mr Smith?
To Victoria…..a relevant photo this time, thumbs up! 🙂
Do “other rail operators” operate heritage Mark 1 rolling stick?
It doesn’t seem to me to be a small thing to fit an entire fleet of Mark 1 stock with central locking which it was never designed with. Preserve railways don’t have this either.
Yes other operators of Mk1 stock on the mainline have either fitted CDL or have a costed plan in place to do so (most have started fitting it but haven’t finished yet)
The ORR seem happy to issue exemptions in the situation where companies are willing to fit CDL and are still in the process of doing so just not if they have no intentions to do so…
heritage railways are exempt from the rules specifically because they have a hard speed limit of 25mph…. If a heratage railway wanted to run at faster speed they could, but they would have to fit CDL as well as fitting their locos with OTDR, TPWS and so on
So where have they managed to scare these up from all of a sudden? Couldn’t they have procured them back then they were originally supposed to have had central door locking?
Why are they still pursuing “an exemption”? Why can’t WCRC just learn to live with what all the other operators have settled for? Are they expecting Harry Potter to wave a magic wand?
Love jumping on and off Trains when thay are moving .But that’s in Romania where thay don’t have stupid English Health and Safty laws..
Why should there be central locking on a line which can hardly be called main line and where trains never travel quickly.
It’s not West Coast who are wrong but the nanny state Quango ORR who should be told to mind their own business. They seem unable to understand the difference between a slow moving heritage train and a high speed mainline express..
Our useless government should step in and sack the lot.
I am glad I was born in a sensible age where common sense rule the way.
Yes, we should go back to the good old days of gas lit carriages, time interval working, orphans going up chimneys, drinking and driving and having snowball fights with asbestos waste in shipyards…..
I have a booking for 7th June pm… when will I know where that leaves me ?
The Health and Safety rules are not stupid. I suggest you stay in your own country.
As for WCR they have a track record of safety failings.
The SPAD at Wooton Basset was the well known one.
So basically ignore the court and do what you want.. yep that’s WCR
Why not? We all managed without central locking in the past and I don’t remember any accidents.
Plenty of people were hurt and injured by opening doors and jumping off moving trains in the London termini stations on commuter trains. Doesn’t happen now.
Well serve them right for being so stupid. We are adults. We should learn to take responsibility for our actions. If I shove my hand in a fire it will get burned – my fault, no-one else’s.
Well with that attitude it appears to me that you might
Health and safety rules have a place yes, but what happened to common sense,if you’re stupid enough to open a door on a moving train,. Modernising the train stops it being heritage which is what you go for at the end of the day
I remember plenty of accidents when these carriages were used more frequently- it’s just a matter of time and of chance…..
Would it not be the fact that if they don,t run the train WCR will lose the paths and someone who is a proper company who comply with the regulations might get the paths instead? Isn,t that why they have run empty stock this week.
There were a lot of accidents with doors been opened approaching platforms, and at speed from trains, especially crowded ones. That’s why the regulations were introduced!
Back in the day people knew that doors didn’t have locks and (mostly) behaved accordingly.
Now most people have either never known doors without locks or have not used them for years.
There was a spate of accidents before CDL was introduced.
A set of them happened in the Lichfield area of the WCML.
Perhaps if WCR spent more time and energy on making efforts to comply with the regulations rather than fighting for continuous exemptions, then the issue might get resolved sooner.
There is no real history of people opening doors.
The next thing will be the central locking will jam and people will not get out!
Good old elf n safty gone mad.
The next thing bars on the windows incase someone falls out there?
Interestingly there is a precedent along those lines – Hillsborough. Fences were erected to prevent irresponsible fans getting on the football pitch and look what happened!
I don’t wish to exonerate WCR but why could something similar not happen?
I booked tickets some time ago for a afternoon it June we are in the area for three days and afternoon journeys where only one ‘s available.Now we are told their not going to be a afternoon service.l have no chance of re booking on a morning train their wasn’t any availability for morning train when I originally booked so there won’t be any now? We can’t book any other dates living in York it’s not exactly on our door step.
You can still travel on the line. Scotrail run three trains in each direction for a fraction of the price ..
And the rolling stock is, to the best of my knowledge fitted with retention tanks under the floor.