Jacobite 2026

Not seen a thread for this years Jacobite season so i thought id start it off. It seems strange that we are at the end of January and Wcr hasn't announced the dates or started selling tickets yet. Usually the seasons announce November/December time.

 

I agree, it's very odd that the highest profile work for West Coast isn't being publicised more. The timings until the end of the December 2025 to May 2026 are live on Real Time Trains and other sites.

SX
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...3/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
SO
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
SUN timings apply until Mid December.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...7/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

All things being equal the SX and SO timings should apply through the summer timetable.

Cheers, Neil

 

The latest Trackside contains a rant by David Smith regarding the ongoing fall out with the ORR & fitting CDL. Essentially some compromises have been put forward by West Coast which they have discussed with the ORR (but doesn't include fitting CDL) and they await another decision by the ORR who they feel are dragging their feet.
Last season was not profitable, ticket sales are down and capacity is also down - as a Mark 1 is locked out of use for passengers, but included as it has a dynamo to power electrics.
David Smith essentially says he is under no obligation to provide the service, he gets no appreciation from traders in Maillaig and someone else is welcome to take it over. He is delaying ticket sales until he decides what to do, he would rather fill just one train, than run 2 at 70% capacity.

 

Mods: Would this thread be better suited in 'Whats going on'? All previous year's Jacobite threads have been there.

 

Yes I read that article too. Very interesting. He has essentially lost his passion for The Jacobite and it is being put in a state of managed decline. If it does run this year, I could well believe this is the last year that it does so.

 

I wonder if his recent purchase of HST power cars could be his "solution" by removing the attraction of steam and boosting the attraction of the journey ?

 

I would expect the opposite effect. Some of the customers who go for the Harry Potter connection have already expressed dissatisfaction with the coaches. I would expect greater dissatisfaction if there is no steam loco at the front. Customers who are primarily steam enthusiasts would lose interest entirely. Who would find HST power cars more appealing?

 

A lot of the Jacobite capacity is prebooked for various tour companies which will have completed their planning well ahead of the New Year holiday booking season. The 2026 Great Rail Journeys brochure features a Jacobite steam train ride in "vintage carriages".

 

All of which will have caveats about availability, and where the tour company may or may not have redress against WCRC.

 

The "vintage carriages" phrase has been used before, so I asked WCRC just how "vintage" they might be. The response was "Around 50 years old". So, Mark 2s then.

 

In September 2025 the ORR Board Minutes noted that 'no judicial review had been received in relation to the decision not to grant an exemption from Regulation 5 of the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 to West Coast Railways. However, a new application had been received from a separate legal entity.'

Has it been identified who this may be?

 

General definition of "vintage"would appear to be between 20 and 99 years with it becoming antique after that.
So even a fair part of the mainline TOC's fleet would fit that.

 

Still the cause of deep disagreement within the Vintage Motorcycle Club, as it has been since the Club's founding in 1946!

 

West Highland Extension Summer schedules.
SX
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
SO
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...8/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR
SUN
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...2/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

Note that 2Y68 and 2Y69 plus associated ECS are shown as "Q" if required.

Seeing the comments up thread about local traders not appreciating the "Jacobite" effect, my experience has been that it the "Jacobite" trade is keeping some shops open in Mallaig and bolstering trade in villages along the route. Watch for the complaints if these workings are reduced. Last May, watching non enthusiasts were grumbling about diesel haulage even with the fire risk.

Cheers, Neil

 

Morning train starts on Wednesday 1st April, according to a WCR poster up at Fort William station.

Details on afternoon train still TBC.

Prices appear to be the same as in 2025.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1356149899890358&set=a.564946959010660

 

That would certainly correlate with RTT. WCR Jacobite paths are on the system from 1st April onwards, but not earlier. (LSL are using it the weekend before)

 

Today's Green Signals podcast has a piece on The Jacobite. Starts at around 34mins in.

 

I shudder to think what Nigel Harris has to say about it. I won’t be watching or listening.

 

... and finishes at 39 minutes and tells us absolutely nothing new!!! Green Signals has a great way of padding a "news" story out with endless waffle!