Jacobite ("Harry Potter") steam train

[CWH]

FYI for anyone who has a booking or is hoping to visit next year:
The operators of the steam train running between Fort William and Mallaig have LOST their High Court case against the Office of Rail and Road. This is likely to mean that the trains will be cancelled for the foreseeable future.

 

[David and Sally]

That would be a great shame. What reasons?

Edit. Found it

Harry Potter train operator loses High Court door safety challenge

West Coast Railway Company Ltd took legal action against the Office of Rail and Road over door safety.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[CWH]

What reasons?

Sorry - yes - door safety. They haven't had any issues on this line, but there's an expectation that they should have central locking.
They've had sporadic closures this year leading up to this final decision. A bit cheeky to sell tickets for next year assuming they'd get another exemption when it was clear that ORR were ramping up their demands.

 

[rb62]

I think that by challenging it and going to court they have brought it to a head whilst other heritage railways have been quietly getting on with it,reducing the length of strap on the window so you can't reach the handle from inside has been effective,but now may not be. OK there have been accidents but caused by human error,'stepping out of the door when the carriage wasn't aligned with the platform'

Urgent Safety Advice 01/2023: Passenger doors not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew

www.gov.uk

 

[CAB96]

They could have started investing in the changes when the ORR first said this was the direction of travel, instead they have decided to challenge it in the courts.

At least it would have shown willing and may have bought them more time, and an agreed timetable.

Only going to be one winner once it goes to court.

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[Mikey RV]

I was hoping to go on that train next year and get some photos of it over the viaduct. Bloody Heath and safety. Am I right in thinking that if they have to do this then all the steam trains that run over so many places in the U.K. will all have to do the same. It’s going to cost them millions and some will just stop running because of the cost. Such a shame.

 

[L' Hobo]

Sorry - yes - door safety. They haven't had any issues on this line, but there's an expectation that they should have central locking.
They've had sporadic closures this year leading up to this final decision. A bit cheeky to sell tickets for next year assuming they'd get another exemption when it was clear that ORR were ramping up their demands.

Could this not be solved by locking all the carriage doors and leaving just the end of the carriage ones near the toilets which could be patrolled by volunteers?
On the Coaches, we only had to two emergency exits, one each side of the vehicle and breakable windows.

 

[CWH]

NOTE this doesn't affect the running of the scheduled diesel trains at just £8.20 each way for a 1.5 hour trip which still includes the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the astounding views down the Glen and across Morar.

 

[L' Hobo]

I was hoping to go on that train next year and get some photos of it over the viaduct. Bloody Heath and safety. Am I right in thinking that if they have to do this then all the steam trains that run over so many places in the U.K. will all have to do the same. It’s going to cost them millions and some will just stop running because of the cost. Such a shame.

I think it came about by a billigerent someone wanting to take photographs through an open door?
The minority always spoils it for the majority!

 

[Otter Spotter]

I understand this all came about because a door was left open on as a train left York and in another incident a passenger overpowered a steward to open a door whilst the train was moving.
it appears that the operator West Coast Railways did not properly investigate and try and resolve issues and they are being punished for not taking proper action.

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[Lenny HB]

Nanny state, I expect most of us traveled in trains like that when we were kids, we are still here.

 

[CAB96]

I was hoping to go on that train next year and get some photos of it over the viaduct. Bloody Heath and safety. Am I right in thinking that if they have to do this then all the steam trains that run over so many places in the U.K. will all have to do the same. It’s going to cost them millions and some will just stop running because of the cost. Such a shame.

I think this is partly because this one runs on the main line, rather than being a separate heritage rail line.

But the reports did say that other railways had already complied.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

The requirement for central locking affects mainline operators, not the heritage railways. Its noted that the Jacobite line could potentially have speeds of 100mph (seems a bit fast?). I wouldn't want a door accidentally opening at half that. Heritage lines are usually on light railway rules and limited to 25mph.

 

[CWH]

The requirement for central locking affects mainline operators, not the heritage railways. Its noted that the Jacobite line could potentially have speeds of 100mph (seems a bit fast?). I wouldn't want a door accidentally opening at half that. Heritage lines are usually on light railway rules and limited to 25mph.

Thing is, the Jacobite runs on the regular mainline that has a diesel train running 4 times a day, so while the rolling stock is "heritage", the line isn't.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Nanny state, I expect most of us traveled in trains like that when we were kids, we are still here.

This what happens when you let the dregs of the gene pool on trains probably one of the lowest risks of injury compared to other types of travel but some dummy has decided it is now dangerous

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[meanders]

There was an accident some years ago where a train hit an open door on one going the other way some years ago. I think on the Paddington to Reading mainline, but memory is vague. It was I think from that that central locking had to be retrofitted to anything that runs on the main line. I think it also saw the end of the use of the old compartment trains with no corridor as the effort of fitting it to so many doors meant it was viable.

Heritage lines are exempt, but a lot have retro fitted or run at a very slow speed.

 

[CWH]

Only going to be one winner once it goes to court.

And that's what's happened.

 

[scotzsue]

FYI for anyone who has a booking or is hoping to visit next year:
The operators of the steam train running between Fort William and Mallaig have LOST their High Court case against the Office of Rail and Road. This is likely to mean that the trains will be cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Just seen this, sister wants to do that for her 70th, why are they still offering tickets

 

[CWH]

Just seen this, sister wants to do that for her 70th, why are they still offering tickets

no idea, can only guess that they're hoping to do another appeal, but I can't see there's any hope of it being reversed
or maybe they think they might be able to raise the money to do the adjustments
beware that even in good times, if they had to revert to diesel because of fire risk or whatever, there was no refund from the Steam ticket
maybe they're running the "experience" by diesel

it's been a long-running saga so far; I guess it may all change again

 

[ctc]

They seem to be denying the right of the half witted to a Darwin Award.

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[cyberyacht]

I thought it was the 'slam door' carriages that were the issue. I suppose they could still run with more modern carriages.

 

[CWH]

I thought it was the 'slam door' carriages that were the issue. I suppose they could still run with more modern carriages.

of course, you're right, it would be such a shame if the steam engine were to disappear from the landscape

 

[BusyBuilder]

Adverts in Mail on Sunday for it today.
The cost of fitting a central locking system is pretty much prohibitive on the carriages, but they could use other rolling stock, but wouldn't be the heritage type.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Why can’t we be more like NZ.

Put a sign on the door danger if opened whilst moving.
Job done.

 

[L' Hobo]

Why can’t we be more like NZ.

Put a sign on the door danger if opened whilst moving.
Job done.

If my memory serves me correctly to those times, most slam door carriages in the Steam train era, already have them?

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[Silver-Fox]

If my memory serves me correctly to those times, most slam door carriages in the Steam train era, already have them?

Jobs a good un then.

If you’re stupid enough to open a door if a moving train you deserve all you get.

No wonder this Country seems to be going in a downward spiral everyone needs to be mollycoddled

 

[Bailey58]

Doors all sorted!

The new Design Electrified Fort William to Mallaig trains will come into force this summer, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions from steam trains, the Hogwarts express will be renamed The Toblerone Express.

Perth, Australia tried similar, but failed to read the plans the right way up.

 

[L' Hobo]

Doors all sorted!

The new Design Electrified Fort William to Mallaig trains will come into force this summer, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions from steam trains, the Hogwarts express will be renamed The Toblerone Express.

View attachment 859886

Perth, Australia tried similar, but failed to read the plans the right way up.
View attachment 859887

I must defend the Australians, unlike the Brits, they realised that the upper body is larger than one's legs and being narrow gauge, it would take up less space.
As a bonus, the huge luggage racks, allowed the carriage of more grog.
A win, win situation!

 

[Tonks]

of course, you're right, it would be such a shame if the steam engine were to disappear from the landscape

Steam trains are about the whole train though, not just the locomotive. Steam trains hauling inappropriate rolling stock are not going to attract anywhere near the current level of interest and support, which they are all heavily reliant on in order to keep operating.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I must defend the Australians, unlike the Brits, they realised that the upper body is larger than one's legs and being narrow gauge, it would take up less space.
As a bonus, the huge luggage racks, allowed the carriage of more grog.
A win, win situation!

A good thing with the Aussie style is if you drop anything it will end up by up your feet and not roll off into a corner

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