West Coast Railways has reached an agreement with the Office of Rail and Road that will see Central Door Locking installed across the fleet of Mark 1 carriages that they use on the mainline.
These carriages have been used on charter services, including the ever-popular Jacobite, for 25 years, and WCRC says that they understand how much passengers value this as part of their experience.
Last year, The Jacobite used Mark 2 carriages, but following feedback and an evaluation of the costs associated with this coaching stock, the operator has approached the Office of Rail and Road to bring back Mark 1 coaches into use.
The charter operator is working with the ORR to finalise a timeline of CDL fitment so that the 2026 Jacobite season can start.
The start of the 2026 season has been delayed but a start date is not yet known but will be shared as soon as possible. West Coast says it is working with the ORR to come up with a plan that “balances the technical requirements of the installation with the goal of commencing the 2026 Jacobite season”.
Following valuable feedback from our passengers and an evaluation of the operational costs associated with our Mark 2 carriages, West Coast Railways has formally approached the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to reinstate our traditional Mark 1 rolling stock. These traditional carriages have been a hallmark of the Jacobite experience for over 25 years, and we know how much our passengers value their classic charm.
West Coast Railways is committed to the long-term future of heritage rail. 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.
WCRC Spokesperson
Responses
This is a sensible decision by West Coast Railways but why have they only reached it in the Spring, thus delaying the start of the Jacobite trains? They’ve had all Winter to get around to fitting CDL to their Mk 1s – why didn’t they just get on with it?
Jeez, it carried based on the LSL Fleet of MK1s are fitting CDL doing well.
Will this see a return of their vacuum braked locomotives?
I hope so
i have used to the Air braked Mk2s from West Coast Railways and its about time they have seen sense about the mk1s
Would this happen to the tours so all the other steam locomotives can run on the mainline doing tours again or just the jacobites?
Just wish WCRC will fit air brakes to their Steam Engines to allow them to run again on the Mainline instead of catching dust.
I’ve heard that it messes with the regulator fitting air brakes but I’m not sure how true that is as loads of other company’s are doing it
Not true.