Jacobite 2026

Thanks John, yes doesn’t it just.

 

Details and 14 photos of today's consist start here:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-west-trains-2026/i-HDbFQN2

Andrew N

 

And the thing is what we are seeing is the former afternoon train which nobody ever complained about so it’s ideal in my eyes

 

albeit imposes constraints on which steam locos can be used.

 

So what is the only loco that could not go there in 2026? 44932?

 

For now. And that’s no different to every year of 2 train operation. It’s always been one full air set.

 

Yes, that's the point I was making really, an air set is a compromise because there is a limited number of locos fitted to haul it.
Look, it's always worked so no doubt it will continue to do so but let's not pretend it's perfect. For one thing maybe the NELPG guys would occasionally like a lie-in

 

The K1 has been expected to be ready for 12 months but there's been no work for it up there because the stock is air braked.
It also ties up the Riley pair when there's a lot of work in England demanding air braked locos, with only 1.5 available ......
If the Jacobite stock was vac fitted, maybe 44932 and now 45110 would be in contention, releasing the air braked 5s for charters down south.
That of course presupposes the owner would be happy working charters down south .....

 

Well 45110 had not run until last weekend. and was reported to have no mainline kit yet. Do we even know who now owns it and if they want it to go mainline?
I thought someone posted the K1 was still a fair way off.
Seems WCRC have not been keen to use their own locos historically anyway.

 

More than occasional, but only of one of them ....
Point taken but in the present circumstances DL assisted 5s is preferable to the alternative of potentially no steam at all.

 

This thread has descended into a scene of a Glasgow Steamy...

 

Looking at activated paths on RTT, there is a morning Jacobite running today.

 

A certain loco owner has posted a photo on Facebook of one of his machines at a rather damp Fort William, ready for departure.

 

The Jacobite has left Fort William on time at 10.15. 45407 is the loco.

 

Actual Jacobite passenger service or ECS, route refresher etc? Maybe group bookings and POTD?
The WC website still not open for bookings, same message from 13th April, start date tbc.

 

Passenger service

 

It was previously mentioned in this thread that it's just for tour groups, with a possibility of POTD's. I get the impression the Scottish tourism industry has been lobbying WCR quite hard.

 

Interesting.
It's curious that WC itself hasn't made more of the fact passenger service has resumed though, especially considering how much noise the firm has made about "being forced off the rails" in many press outlets.
Perhaps they've managed to quietly fill the trains so there's no spare seats?