Latest news with #WestCoastRailways
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Scotsman
'Harry Potter' Jacobite train operator slammed for substitute 'Primark' carriages
Former British Rail blue and grey coaches deployed amid ongoing safety Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Passengers travelling on the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite train in the Highlands have been angered after its normal red carriages were replaced with blue ex-British Rail Inter-City coaches. The Friends of the West Highland Lines (FoWHL) said it was 'like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service hauled by a diesel locomotive passing Glenfinnan Station on May 14 | Contributed The substitute carriages have been drafted in by operator West Coast Railways as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who have insisted the train must have centrally-locking doors. The move has added to the frustration of Harry Potter fans booking tickets for the service between Fort William and Mallaig because its steam locomotive has been temporarily replaced with a diesel engine due to the high wildfire risk. One passenger posted on Tripadvisor: 'Awful coaches, not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting, modern blue and grey coaches.' The Jacobite passing Lochailort en route to Mallaig in 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA) | Jane Barlow/PA Another, Alan G, said: 'Complete waste of time! We are sitting on what can only be described as a old 70s/80s inter city carriage, not even a classic.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marie, visiting Anjou in France, posted: 'Very disappointing. We planned an immersive experience and ended up on a cigarette-smelling train from the 70s. Nothing or almost nothing to do with the Harry Potter movie except a few goodies sold.' West Coast Railways has applied for a further exemption from the long-established central door locking requirement for its original Jacobite carriages, which are known as 'Mark 1s', despite losing a High Court case against the Office of Rail and Road regulator (ORR) in 2023. Doug Carmichael of the FoWHL, said: 'Although the coaches have all the requirements expected by the ORR, West Coast Railways should have considered fitting new door locking to their existing fleet to satisfy the expectations of their customers, a majority of whom are ardent Harry Potter fans and expect the train to look similar to that shown in the movies. 'A coach the 'wrong' colour is a bit like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A passenger said the blue carriages were "not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting" | Contributed The carriages have been used on the Jacobite's afternoon service but from Monday they will be used on the morning service. In a statement on its website, West Coast Railways said: 'Due to the extreme weather conditions we have experienced from the start of our season, we are having to carry out additional and essential maintenance on our carriages. 'Starting on May 19 and lasting for a few weeks, the normal carriages used on the morning service are to be replaced with our ex-British Rail Inter-City rolling stock in their traditional colours of blue and grey. 'The use of these carriages on the Jacobite service is a rare opportunity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Although the exterior differs from the usual carriages, the interior is still of the same standard so we are confident that you will have an enjoyable trip. 'All booked passengers will be notified where it affects them.' Commercial manager James Shuttleworth added: 'They're being used as they are already fitted with central door locking until such time as we gain an exemption for the Mark 1 vehicles. Dialogue is on-going with the ORR. 'As far as the blue and grey is concerned, we're not disguising the fact.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Shuttleworth explained that the carriages were being switched between the two daily services because the steel 'tyres' on their wheels were having to be changed more often than usual. He said: 'There is a plan to rotate/swap the vehicles so the tyres can be turned on our lathe, due to wear, which also happens more frequently in dry weather.' The extra maintenance needed follows similar conditions in 2018 when the Jacobite carriages' tyres had to be changed four times rather than twice as normal. That led to the cancellation of Christmas trips because of insufficient time to complete the work after the end of the summer season in October. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Scotsman
'Hogwarts Express' Jacobite train operator accused of poor customer service in 'shoddy carriages'
West Coast Railways criticised for reducing stewards as 'recipe for disaster' Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The operator of the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite steam train has been accused of providing a poor service to passengers in 'shoddy' carriages. The claim from an industry source with knowledge of the operation comes weeks after The Scotsman revealed the classic maroon carriages associated with the Harry Potter films had been substituted with more modern former British Rail blue Inter-City coaches. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train near Fort William on Sunday May 25 after the wildfire risk had receded | Kieran Macdonald Concern has been expressed that operator West Coast Railways (WCR) has reduced the number of stewards on the twice-daily Fort William to Mallaig services, whose job includes preventing passengers leaning out of windows to take photos. But WCR said the Jacobite was run in a 'safe, professional manner' and the safety and comfort of passengers was its priority. It has also been able to use a steam locomotive to haul services for the first time in weeks after the wildfire threat receded. Passengers had complained at being unaware the Jacobite had been run with a diesel engine. The industry source said the company was "charging an extortionate amount and providing no customer service, shoddy carriages, terrible refreshments". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train being hauled by a diesel locomotive on Saturday May 24 | Kieran Macdonald Passengers have also complained on the Tripadvisor reviews website of high temperatures and the lack of air conditioning on the substitute carriages, which WCR said were temporary replacements pending wheel repairs. The source said: "WCR originally had five stewards on each [five-carriage] service to keep passenger safety a priority as passengers aren't allowed to lean out or take photos by opening the windows, which has happened many times. 'Now, they have two stewards at each end of the train, in charge of two carriages [each] with the train manager acting as a third steward in the middle. In the afternoon, they have three stewards. 'A catering trolley plus a 'Harry Potter' trolley service operates, so stewards monitoring passengers is very restricted, which is a recipe for disaster.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service with Inter-City carriages hauled by a diesel locomotive during the wildfire risk steam engine ban on May 14 | Contributed WCR commercial manager James Shuttleworth said: 'The safety and comfort of Jacobite passengers is the priority of our leadership, management and employees. 'The services are conducted in a safe, professional manner that allows our customers to make treasured memories, and enjoy the best of the Scottish Highlands. 'The quality of our service and the esteem it is held in are a credit to our employees whose professionalism and enthusiasm are highly valued. Prior to working on the Jacobite service, all staff receive training and are briefed to ensure customers are monitored and kept safe whilst providing an excellent service. 'There is also a continued review and briefing process carried out by train managers to ensure the safety of our services is maintained throughout the season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were saddened to see the comments made about our services. However, WCR is proud of our Jacobite service and the integral part we play in the tourism and hospitality sector.' The Jacobite with its traditional maroon carriages on the Glenfinnan viaduct | Contributed The substitute carriages were drafted in as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who insist they must have centrally-locking doors. Mr Shuttleworth said it was seeking to resolve the dispute with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Steam trains win bank holiday reprieve as Network Rail lifts fire-risk ban
Steam trains will be able to run on the mainline during one of the busiest weeks of the year after heavy rain eased concerns about the threat of track-side fires. Network Rail lifted a steam ban on popular routes in North West England including the Settle & Carlisle and Cumbrian Coast lines, while the operator of the Jacobite train in Scotland said it would switch back to steam from diesel. Amber alerts indicating a risk of fire across the wider network were meanwhile downgraded after downpours on Friday night soaked lineside vegetation that had been tinderbox dry. An expert on Network Rail's special trains team said that months of minimal rainfall had created 'brown corridors' at substantial risk of being ignited by embers jettisoned by steam engines. He said: 'The entire country has been at high alert, but some routes, particularly in the North West, have been forced to ban steam in recent weeks as the risk has just been too great. 'But with the weather turning and rain arriving Friday night and over the weekend, the risk is reducing and steam can once again run on our metals.' This year has seen the driest start to spring in England since 1956, with half the expected rainfall in April and only a quarter of the long-term average in March. The trend continued into May, with warnings of imminent hosepipe bans and a summer drought, and wildfires breaking out in areas including Cumbria, Derbyshire and Dorset. Network Rail responded with a series of curbs on steam trains culminating in a 10-day blanket ban in the North West. However, with the heatwave ending as low pressure systems bring rainy conditions, Network Rail eased the restrictions in time for the spring bank holiday and school break. The decision was based on forecasts from MetDesk, which provides the firm with predictions of fire risk, ice and leaf fall, as well as weather forecasts for every 500 yards of track. North West England was moved from black alert to red status for Saturday, which meant that a steam locomotive could lead a train using limited power, assisted by a diesel engine at the rear. The risk level was dropped to amber on Sunday, simply requiring operators to exercise caution. West Coast Railways, the biggest operator of steam and classic diesel trains on the national network, said the reprieve was vital going into the busiest months for charter operations. James Shuttleworth, the firm's commercial manager, said that the rainfall meant the Jacobite train in the Highlands – dubbed the 'Hogwarts Express' for its appearances in the Harry Potter franchise – will also be able to return to steam traction from diesel. With most of its steam engines based in Carnforth in North West England, the ban had threatened to leave the firm unable to haul trains even in parts of the country that were unaffected. One locomotive in service when the clampdown was announced had been unable to return to base and was abandoned to York. Mr Shuttleworth said the spring had been the driest he had known since 1995, when the newly launched Jacobite service was forced to use diesels. Steam operators responded to months of bans at the time with measures to limit fire risk, including spark arresters and grills on engines. West Coast is now permitted to make its own decisions regarding appropriate traction for the Jacobite in conjunction with managers at Network Rail's Fort William depot. Mr Shuttleworth said: 'You've got to be responsible. It's also about accessibility and whether the fire brigade would be able to get to the site of a potential fire.' In Scotland and other upland areas, he said, there's also the risk of a lineside fire spreading to forestry plantations or seams of peat, with the latter potentially taking months to burn out. West Coast, like other operators, makes clear to passengers that there will be no refund in the event of steam engines being unable to run or breaking down. The reprieve came too late for the Northern Belle luxury dining train, which relied on diesel haulage over the Settle & Carlisle route on Saturday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Scotsman
'Harry Potter' Jacobite train operator slammed for substitute 'Primark' carriages
Former British Rail blue and grey coaches deployed amid ongoing safety Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Passengers travelling on the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite train in the Highlands have been angered after its normal red carriages were replaced with blue ex-British Rail Inter-City coaches. The Friends of the West Highland Lines (FoWHL) said it was 'like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service hauled by a diesel locomotive passing Glenfinnan Station on May 14 | Contributed The substitute carriages have been drafted in by operator West Coast Railways as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who have insisted the train must have centrally-locking doors. The move has added to the frustration of Harry Potter fans booking tickets for the service between Fort William and Mallaig because its steam locomotive has been temporarily replaced with a diesel engine due to the high wildfire risk. One passenger posted on Tripadvisor: 'Awful coaches, not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting, modern blue and grey coaches.' The Jacobite passing Lochailort en route to Mallaig in 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA) | Jane Barlow/PA Another, Alan G, said: 'Complete waste of time! We are sitting on what can only be described as a old 70s/80s inter city carriage, not even a classic.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marie, visiting Anjou in France, posted: 'Very disappointing. We planned an immersive experience and ended up on a cigarette-smelling train from the 70s. Nothing or almost nothing to do with the Harry Potter movie except a few goodies sold.' West Coast Railways has applied for a further exemption from the long-established central door locking requirement for its original Jacobite carriages, which are known as 'Mark 1s', despite losing a High Court case against the Office of Rail and Road regulator (ORR) in 2023. Doug Carmichael of the FoWHL, said: 'Although the coaches have all the requirements expected by the ORR, West Coast Railways should have considered fitting new door locking to their existing fleet to satisfy the expectations of their customers, a majority of whom are ardent Harry Potter fans and expect the train to look similar to that shown in the movies. 'A coach the 'wrong' colour is a bit like seeing a Marks & Spencer store from the pavement and going in and finding it's Primark.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A passenger said the blue carriages were "not the Harry Potter coaches we were expecting" | Contributed The carriages have been used on the Jacobite's afternoon service but from Monday they will be used on the morning service. In a statement on its website, West Coast Railways said: 'Due to the extreme weather conditions we have experienced from the start of our season, we are having to carry out additional and essential maintenance on our carriages. 'Starting on May 19 and lasting for a few weeks, the normal carriages used on the morning service are to be replaced with our ex-British Rail Inter-City rolling stock in their traditional colours of blue and grey. 'The use of these carriages on the Jacobite service is a rare opportunity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Although the exterior differs from the usual carriages, the interior is still of the same standard so we are confident that you will have an enjoyable trip. 'All booked passengers will be notified where it affects them.' Commercial manager James Shuttleworth added: 'They're being used as they are already fitted with central door locking until such time as we gain an exemption for the Mark 1 vehicles. Dialogue is on-going with the ORR.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
End of the line feared for steam trains after plans to abolish traditional railway 'traffic lights' signals
Steam trains could be facing the end of the line amid plans to abolish traditional railway traffic light-style signals. Network Rail plans to remove the lineside lights most train drivers currently use to guide their journey and expand in-cab digital signalling across the network instead, to cut upkeep costs and maximise capacity. It means steam-powered engines will need to be fitted with these digital screens and software too if they are to continue running on the mainline and survive the network updates. Trials are currently underway to determine if steam engines and historical diesels could be compatible with the so-called European Train Control System (ETCS) technology. The experiments have seen Tornado, a steam locomotive built by train lovers in 2008 based on a 1940s design, fitted out with ETCS kit. But if it does not work even in a more recent engine, older locomotives like the Flying Scotsman - built in 1923 and the oldest steam train still active on Britain's main network - face even less of a chance. This could see the UK's some 500 steam engines - which contribute £600million a year to the economy - relegated to minor routes and preserved railways, the Telegraph reports. Network Rail has said it will aim to make sure historic steam and diesel engines can still run - but a company source said the current trials offer no guarantee. They explained: 'If we prove the concept with Tornado and it works properly, then we are in a better place to understand costs and feasibility for future deployment. 'But who will pay for that when there is a totally non-standard fleet of steam engines owned by a variety of different people is absolutely not certain.' ETCS is already used on a handful of routes - but Network Rail plans to roll it out nationally, starting at the London end of the East Coast Main Line from King's Cross to Edinburgh. The West Coast line from Euston to Glasgow and the Great Western route from Paddington are likely to be up next. Instead of looking out the window for lineside signals, like traffic lights, ETCS sees train drivers observe a screen in front of them inside the cab. It shows a target speed and gives them the remaining distance they have until they need to slow down or speed up. Drivers can talk to signallers using an internal mobile phone system - and if they go too fast or run a virtual red light, the trains automatically brake, so are safer. The technology also allows trains to be spaced out more efficiently, adding more journeys per hour. The kitted-out Tornado - which was featured in Paddington 2 and Top Gear - was trialled overnight this week on the route from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, to Newtown in mid Wales, which is already ETCS-compatible. The main challenges with using the kit in steam and diesel engines are how hard it is to use a screen in an open, noisy, dirty and often wet cab and issues with braking, how the engine works and electrical supply. West Coast Railways - the network's biggest steam operator, also responsible for the popular 'Hogwarts Express' route - ran the test trains. The firm has already faced challenges in recent years after the rail regulator prohibited its carriages from the 1950s, which train enthusiasts tend to prefer. Rob Morland, an electrical engineer with Tornado's owners, the A1 Steam Trust, said a second steam turbo-generator, new alternator and third battery bank had to be added to the engine to facilitate the ETCS equipment. Network Rail has said it is too early to comment on the results of the experiments. A Deltic train, one of the most iconic diesels on the network, will be tested on the same line later in the year. Amy Clouston, principal human factors specialist at engineering consultancy AtkinsRéalis, which designed the fitment of Tornado's systems, has previously told the Observer: 'We had to test whether or not you can even use a touchscreen while you're hurtling along at up to 75mph. 'We've had to think about vibrations, lighting, noise, coal dust, water and steam and grubby fingers.' She argued the project was vital to the future of the main line steam sector: 'Steam is part of the nation's engineering heritage so it would be such a shame if it were to only be contained to private, heritage railways. 'Having steam locomotives out there on the main line is a wonderful thing to see.' In an iconic Top Gear episode of 2009, the show's former frontman Jeremy Clarkson raced the Tornado train against fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May from London to Edinburgh. The episode saw Mr Clarkson having to feed the boiler with a constant supply of coal, without which the whole train would grind to a halt.
