Jacobite 2025

Well, the latest (April) issue of 'NELPG News' states that WCR are devoting more resources to the K1 at Carnforth and that David Smith has said that he wants the loco at Fort William by early June. It could be a red herring, of course, or it could be for a publicity stunt...or it could mean that there will be a rake of CDL-fitted Mark 1s at Fort William by early June.

 

They are included as part of the WTT, and if they were cancelled, unlikely to be removed until 10pm the preceding evening under P coded cancellations. That allows WCRC to retain the usage of the path right up until the last minute, whereas a longer in advance cancellation of the path would allow a third party to submit and run something in it's place.

 

I struggle to know what to think anymore. I just live in hope!

 

I think we all do. The K1 is what I’ve been waiting for as the only realistic loco for the Mallaig road

 

A CDL fitted rake of MK1’s for the Jacobite would enable the return of 62005 as well as in the short term freeing up a black 5 for RTC/Northern Belle work in England.

 

I am suprised 62005 isn't being fitted with air brakes?

 

So am I! Saying that if NELPG have decided against it then that is their decision.

 

Looking at the weather for the area rain is due from friday onwards so hopefully wont be too long before steam can operate.

 

I thought it was VERY dry up there as shown by the large Scottish wildfires. Surely will need much more than some drizzle and light showers that appear to be all that is in the forecast.

 

Very dry around FW today. 21C, very slight wind, blue skies and everywhere extremely dry. 47 plus all maroon stock, 1 x Mk 1 and 6 x Mk 2.

 

Seen on wcrc facebook page that 44871 is on todays jacobite with a diesel on the rear

 

47746 is taking seven Mk2 air cons north today. At least they're all in matching livery, shame it's blue and grey! At least a couple have the new sliding opening windows.

 

Only a stop gap measure. Most are expected back within the next couple of weeks and replaced…

 

Replaced by ...?

 

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/jacobite-afternoon-service

 

I'm not sure that the average Jacobite passenger will know what the sentence "All coaches are fitted with CDL" means, or even why it is significant.

 

Do you not think the statement is more aimed at the enthusiast side of things? Those who always say WCR never say anything, well now they have.

“We are pleased to announce that to start the season off (for the first few weeks), the carriages used will be all ex British Rail Inter City rolling stock in their traditional colours of Blue & Grey” - What does that mean for after the first few weeks, etc?

Last year they never said anything of this sort.

 

In the last NELPG news it said wcr were putting more resources into the K1 and wanted in FW for the start of June which is in a few weeks. Maybe the K1 will take a rake of Mk1s up the replace the blue and greys but that could be adding 2 and 2 together and making 5

 

I must admit the same thoughts had crossed my mind too.