Jacobite 2026

I think Green Signals covered the subject thoroughly.
It's not their fault that it's basically a standoff.

Nothing changes the fact that all the heritage operators except for WC have "moved on" and Green Signals rightly pointed out that if WC were to get some exemption the others were denied, there would be legal hell to pay.

The money that WC have spent on legal fees could probably have covered compliance, but that ship has sailed. Now they're in the worst of both worlds.

 

You make a very good point about other operators having 'moved on'. I read somewhere that LSL objected to one of West Coast's exemption requests on the grounds that LSL had to raise fares to help cover the cost of CDL fitment. So long as West Coast had an exemption and did not fit CDL, they had a commercial advantage. Should have been clear at this point West Coast had 'lost the room'.
Anyway, at risk of diverting another thread on CDL stuff, anyone know whats happening with the K1??

 

The last I heard on the K1 was at Titans of Steam back in September when a member of the owning group said it was still being worked on and there weren't plans to give it air brakes at that current moment in time.

Things may have moved on since then though.

 

For information about progress with the K1, it’s a simple Google search for “NELPG”, from which you will find their website.

 

West Coast appear to have agreed finally to fit CDL to their Mark 1s and early Mark 2s. The Scotsman article is behind a paywall unfortunately: 'Hogwarts Express' Jacobite steam train operator agrees to safety move amid uncertainty over service's future https://share.google/JhJ04I5rV9v51RJsX

 

See the ORR and WCRC thread.

 

The only way I can this this heading in the way of a "compromise" is a route-specific exemption for the West Highland Extension only. There is a precedent with the arrangements for the NYMR trains to Whitby.

 

As discussed at length, that precedent is a poor match for the West Highland Extension.

 

Indeed and wouldnt a lower speed limit need to be included - dont know how long it takes now but that would push somewhat over two hours...

 

SITOA appears to be under a misapprehension that 2026 is the first time an exemption hasn't been issued. The Jacobite service in fact operated in 2024 and 2025 using CDL compliant stock, the difference being that in 2026 the operator has decided it is unprofitable to run the Jacobite using the formation of the previous 2 seasons.

Wibble alert: Recently overheard at the lineside, WC has already fitted CDL to enough fresh air stock to form a Jacobite rake but isn't prepared to use them unless ORR accedes to a 4 year R5 exemption to allow for fitting to the rest of the fleet.

 

Hmmm, Not sure 'blackmailing' the ORR is a good idea...Do they care about the Scottish economy or making passengers happy bunnies?

 

Perhaps to the extent that passengers of the Jacobite are a potentially a good source of income for the company owner to offset the other overheads of buying/maintaining/operating a large collection of steam locos.
If the Jacobite has become a loss-maker then operating it won't be a priority, as recent interviews with said owner have indicated. Clearly his view is that ORR should relent and allow the train to operate with compliance exempt stock so that he can resume making profits. "Happy bunnies" all round, simples .........

 

It seems doubtful ORR would be influenced one way or the other by such a threat. The only thing the regulator will be interested is in those coaches purportedly fitted now being R5 compliant. If WC has proved they have an effective method ORR will doubtless consider the merits of an exemption to allow the non-compliant stock back into passenger service on the network and what would be a proportionate timeframe for that risk to be extant.
If there is veracity in the gossip, ie coaches which could be turning a profit sat idle to make a point, it seems yet another odd business strategy which will also be a cost to associated businesses like NELPG, SITOA and the wider economy local to the Jacobite.
That's the territory which comes with relying on a business run autocratically though .....

 

Based on the way the FCA are handling the change to the card payment limit for contactless (75% of the public and 80% of the banks do not want it) they will not care at all.
Just another regulator regulating.