The Jacobite 2020

Or you could run two seperate trains!

Peter

 

Possibly, but so late in the day it will arrive back at Fort William after the Grog and Gruel has shut! The downside would be extra costs starting with an extra train crew, track access and servicing.

Cheers, Neil

 

I’m not sure if it was a serious proposition but I did hear that a third train was being discussed that would involve reinstating the loop and second platform at Lochailort

 

Ah so its a goer then John lol

 

Would be nice! Even more rubber burnt ion the A830

 

Yep,looks like we will be in the Grog John.

 

We are indeed leaving no tern unstoned!

Length-wise trains longer than 7 vehicles can run, although it requires more complicated shunting at Mallaig or a second loco. However, as the current timetable dictates the two Jacobites crossing at Glenfinnan, one train must be wholly within the maximum loop length limit, otherwise the system comes to an abrupt halt - and at Glenfinnan that is six vehicles.

There are still a number of factors up in the air, which will ultimately dictate how we run, but it is now beginning to look a little more encouraging.

JS

 

Excellent news James and many thanks for the work put in.Definitely worthy of a pint in the Grog.

 

That’s two pints then

 

Hey, if you don’t like that suggestion, I have others....?!

In all seriousness though, with the potential staycation market/pent up demand, then throw social distance on top, you do wonder if the numbers will crunch in just the right way to support changes in service or infrastructure.

It’s an open secret transport Scotland are looking for projects for NR to get going with to maintain the skills base here. Granted, this probably not what ministers have in mind but go on....idle speculation can be such fun. Supporting tourism in whatever fashion is critical to highland economics nowadays, crazier proposals could easily be made.

 

Announced on WCR FB page.

"THE JACOBITE RETURNS

We are delighted to announce that the Scottish Government advised that from Friday 17th July restrictions should be lifted on the leisure and tourism sector. We are therefore planning to take to the line yet again with both morning and afternoon services."

 

Email from WCR just received---- resumption date is now planned to be Wed 15 July.

 

If the restrictions are lifted 17th July, why are they saying they'll resume two days earlier?

 

Scotland has been told to gear up for tourism from the 15th

 

Why not send the third train to Crainlarich to go there and then run round and return. Nice run over Rannoch Moor anyone?

 

Not sure about the water supply situation on that route. On the photo charters we got a road tanker from Pitlochry at Rannoch but that’s would be expensive

 

Maybe as an occasional trip, but I doubt you'd get the passengers for a daily service. Over 3 hours each way to end up somewhere that consists of a station cafe, a corner shop and a hotel probably won't appeal to the majority of Jacobite passengers. It's a lovely route but it doesn't have a destination like Mallaig.

 

But it takes twice as long and there’s nothing there. The majority of passengers come to ride the extension, travel over the viaduct and get fish and chips by the sea. Going the other way doesn’t offer that same experience. I remember the Mallaig line being closed for a day due to a washout and we ran to Crianlarich instead, there were people complaining to staff that there was no viaduct and people asking at Crianlarich, what time we would arrive at Mallaig.

 

Quite so. Matt, and precisely why we don't automatically offer Rannoch or Crianlarich, as an alternative if the Mallaig line is shut. The vast majority of pax book for Glenfinnan/Mallaig, because that's what we market and therefore what they expect. Going South only really has appeal to a very limited audience of enthusiasts and merely generates confusion and disappointment to the rest.

JS