Jacobite 2025

The MK1's at the SVR were really well presented. I really hope WC will return a set to the mainline and if they do I promise I will book at least one trip a year to ride in them. Aircon Mk2's really don’t do it for me behind steam and WCRC have most of my favourite loco's sitting idle at the moment!

 

Unassisted steam 45407 sounding good and audible five coaches back, on the morning train today!!

 

https://www.scotsman.com/news/trans...-customer-service-in-shoddy-carriages-5149503

So the blue and grey Mk2s with a few opening windows are only temporary while the regular maroon Mk2s have wheel set repairs. At least the lack of working air con shouldn't be too much of an issue for a while, as the forecast is for temperatures in the mid teens and it to be wetter than a fish's wet bits!

 

Work took me up to the area again this week so a few photos of Tuesday's trains below plus a phone shot from Corpach with some timber fencing in place. Whether this is temporary for some works being undertaken or is temporary ahead of a permanent one going in I don't know but could the last bastion of fenceless sea wall have gone after the rest was fenced a few years ago.

 

Noticed this on Sunday when up for catch up with some friends, and sadly it reminds me of the efforts that occurred between Aberdour and Burntisland.

A section of the coastal rock area was cleared fully of vegetation, and a year later a very similar wooden fence appears along the length. Shortly after, the typical 4ft stainless steel handrail/fencing effort that mirrors the type installed along walls of the extension was put in place.

https://flic.kr/p/2oMfmVt

This is a method I've seen NR employ at a fair few other locations also.

Recently, as a further development, an additional green mesh style fence has appeared to double up the efforts at Burntisland. Standing around 5-5ft high, it's similar to the sort that is being installed around schools/private properties etc. If anybody here has taken a photograph at Linton Court, near Kinghorn, in the last 15 years will have seen a green fence in similar design.

So while I can't say for certain that the exact same methods or final result will happen at Corpach, it's definitely a precursor to a more permanent design incoming if following typical NR policies.

 

Loch Arkaig took another rake of Maroon MK2s north today. A return move tomorrow which I assume will be the Blue and Greys coming south. Seems WCR have fixed a number of issues on the Maroon MK2s they had last year and now are bolting them to Scotland.

Also for those who haven’t seen 5 miles of metal fencing going up around Glenfinnan to stop tourists going lineside.

 

Is that fencing in addition to the deer fence put up a few years ago?

 

So, No Mk1 cdl fitted rake then, I wonder how popular West Coasts offering would be, if LSL, were to operate a short series of trains using their stock of fully compliant Mk1's? to test the market ?

 

I suspect it wouldn’t make a difference. The LSL pricing point would be higher compared to WCR, and the stock they have doesn’t lend itself to the operation being all FOs.

Mayflower hauling might make a difference for about a week with enthusiasts and then it would be absolutely no change in my view.

 

What difference would Mark one stock versus Mark two stock make to the majority of the travelling public? They can’t lean out and take their pictures as it goes over Glenfinnan viaduct so which ever type of stock Is used, they’ve all got to sit down like good little boys and girls and behave themselves.

 

The main problem here is the fact it doesn’t look like the Harry Potter train. That’s where most of the reviews are coming in as poor. And the fact is only WCR can really provide that. LSL coaches are blood and custard so they don’t fit the bill, VT are choc and cream so again they aren’t right. The majority want the HP stock, and when they don’t get it they complain. More so when it’s Blue and Grey, as the complaints are noticeably less if it’s a Maroon MK2.

But aside from all that it’s the scale and size of operation….There isn’t another operator who could resource that. Where else will they find a loco owner who consistently lets at least two of his engines work up there year in, year out. Where else will they find an operator who can provide 28-30 coaches for the work, 14-15 every 4 months then swap for tyre turning.

 

Nail on head Harry.

The target audience for The Jacobite is very different to the rest of the railtour market.

And anyone who thinks that people won't notice the difference clearly hasn't met a Harry Potter fan and is severely misjudging the market!

 

But it's only the media that calls it "The Harry Pottet" train...

 

Incorrect. It is referenced multiple times on the WCR website.

 

West Coast have massively pushed the Harry Potter connection since the film came out over 20 years ago (who wouldn't! ) - so yes, to many passengers it is the 'Harry Potter train'.
It is one thing building up that market, it's another sustaining it and understanding what it wants.

 

I would imagine that WCR also have approval to use the terminology from whoever owns the Harry Potter brand. Were they involved in the original filming?

 

If you have good deal with another organisation it would require a real fall out to change it.

 

Which is exactly what I was saying…..???

My exact words “Where else will they find a loco owner who consistently lets at least two of his engines work up there year in, year out”

I don’t get why that’s been met with a “but” given your statement is no different.