The Jacobite 2020

Email from West Coast this afternoon saying that the ECS move from Carnforth to Ft William will be happening within the next few days. I imagine many here got the same email. Nothing on RTT yet that I can see.

 

Agreed.
Keep up the good work.
We need positive thinking in this crisis, not negative attitudes from gloom and doom merchants.

 

Thought these two photographs might lift a smile.
Forwarded to me by the Friends of the West Highland Line, and originated from NR Scotland Railway PR man.
I quote "Last night (Thursday April 2) the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct joined landmarks across the UK turning blue to show public support for NHS staff treating coronavirus patients"
PS: The deer did not seem to be bothered at all, they usually bolt at the sign of humans!

 

Brilliant,would be lovely to see it again this year with the Jacobite crossing.

 

We may not get a Jacobite this year but it’s a great idea. Shame that if everyone was observing the lockdown rules it was only the inhabitants of Glenfinnan who got to see it

 

John maybe if we don't alter the clocks in October the train could run til Christmas The alternative would be to meet in the Grog and chat about what might have been,it would be easier on the knees etc lol

 

Meeting in the Grog sounds a good plan. It will be interesting if they do extend the season

 

Hope so my friends up there think it would be potentially be a great idea!

 

great

 

Good luck, I’ll be in the Nevis Bar!!

 

So will everyone else!lol

 

The local MP is making his views known on this subject.

I presume there has been no movement of stock as yet?

 

Yes, West Coast taking a bit of stick on Mr Blackford's Twitter page. I'd expect a statement from WCR tomorrow stating they're now standing Jacobite operations down from May 1st.

 

In the case of the Jacobite, doesn't it depend partly what the tour operators are doing? Isn't a pretty high proportion of the traffic group travel of one kind or another? So to some extent, WCR may be just one party in a bigger question--- is the Scottish Highlands and Islands season going to happen this year, and from when?

That's a bit of a different situation from the usual one where charter trains are full of individual bookings.

 

Now I wouldn't accuse Mr Blackford of trying to create a headline, but the last time he included WCRC in a 'Must cancel bookings' message during Covid 19 (and before the lockdown was announced), he was also receiving bad publicity for picking up a diesel guzzling 4x4 vehicle from an Inverness car dealership...

A quick look at the timeline on this one:

Tuesday 14th April - West Coast announce on a news item, via their website, that they expect the lockdown to continue and will be unable to start on the 1st of May. They state that they expect to make a decision on Thursday 16th of April regarding this, based on the reports that there would be an announcement from the UK and Scottish Governments furthering the lockdown but giving a bit more clarity on the duration of the extension.

Wednesday 15th - Ian Blackford MP uploads the video attack on WCRC. Admittedly he says he has personally been unsuccessful in getting in touch with the company, but accuses them of being irresponsible as the lockdown will continue. However, at this point, no official extension has been announced and to which date! Secondly, WCRC have already stated the previous day that they don't expect to start on the 1st of May, therefore his accusation of a lack of care to the customer falls a bit flat as they are already showing to be adjusting to the issue.

Thursday 16th - Government announce a further three week lockdown. No announcement yet from WCRC via website (I cannot speak for those with booked tickets).

Now, why a bee in my bonnet? These are unprecedented times, where very few of us have any idea of the actual timelines of the immediate future. Surely in this situation though, Mr Blackford could be using his position as an MP and leader of the SNP in Westminster, to develop a universal information package to be issued across the tourism industry regarding what the government timelines are (and when they are updated) instead of singling out one operation in a public video? After all, several heritage railways are taking bookings for events later in the year such as dining etc, will he also accuse them of trying to sell carelessly to the public and displaying negligence to customer care when those railways haven't been given any realistic timeframes?

As long as bookings are cancellable during this and any extended lockdown with full refund or opportunity to move to another date, then I am unsure where the negligence is? While the companies have a duty of care to the customer, surely the customer realises booking for an event during these difficult times may result in a cancellation and thus the T&C's are then in effect?

 

Possibly relevant in the case of Mr Blackford is that he is a member of a Party committed to criticising the UK Government - both as a way of showing his Party is concerned with Scottish matters unlike the Westminster parties and - I suspect - of deflecting criticism from the leader of his own Party for a lack of positive action. To this outside observer it appears that the Scottish Government is not willing to develop a policy for encouraging the tourist industry which is a major part of the Scottish economy but but feels it more profitable to find fault with Westminster despite the fact that Scotland has devolved powers with thereby gives it greater opportunity to support Scotland and Scottish policies.

At least WCRC is willing to contribute to the Scottish economy subject to the Scottish Government advising when it can do so and in what manner; perhaps Mr Blackford ought to become more involved even if only to satisfy the needs of his constituents.

 

The latest update from West Coast :

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/covid-19-update-the-jacobite

Services are now penciled in to begin on 25th May (beyond the current lockdown date), with the following paragraph :

"I am sure you will appreciate it is impossible to guarantee passenger travel, this is a moving target and very difficult to predict, if for whatever reason the lockdown is still in place on Monday 25th May we will not run, and will advise you at the earliest opportunity that been the case all bookings will be transferred to a VIP gift voucher to the value of your booking plus an additional 10% for you to use towards your next trip with us. Alternatively, we will issue a full refund or change your booking to a later date."

Now as quickly as Ian Blackford was to go public on twitter, after WCRC had already announced their intention to reassess the start date based on the Government announcements pending, will he also issue an apology? Who's a betting man willing to go on those odds?

 

Sturgeon, much as I can't stand her, has shown more leadership in this than the whole of the Westminster rabble who don't seem to understand the concept of under promise and over deliver. Talking to the landlady where I stay in FW, she tells me that they have been warned to prepare to write off the whole of the summer season and they have accepted that. Importing additional visitors while the virus is still raging is foolhardy and I'm sure WC know it. What body count do you think is acceptable to preserve the Scottish tourist industry this year?