Harry Potter railway suspended again over safety fears
THE popular Jacobite steam train that featured in the Harry Potter films has been suspended again.
The tourist attraction in Scotland has been taken off the tracks in a row over safety regulation.
West Coast Railways (WCR) has been stuck in an argument over the safety of the locking systems on the train’s carriage doors for some months.
The service was first suspended last summer following a safety report, published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
It stated: “Persons may fall from the doors of a train.
“Any person leaning out of an open window of a moving train may be struck as the train passes infrastructure (including vegetation, rock cuttings and earthworks) close to the train.”
ORR is insisting that the Jacobite service has new central locking systems fitted on its carriages.
Initially, a temporary exemption to the safety rule was granted, allowing the service to continue as normal.
However, WCR now finds itself seeking further exemption to the rules from ORR.
While awaiting a decision on a new application the service has been suspended until further notice.
The Jacobite is perhaps most famous for its crossing of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, near Fort William, which even featured in the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002.
However, the full service runs between Mallaig and Fort William from March to October.
Passengers booked on the train have been offered a full refund while services are suspended.
The service’s commercial manager James Shuttleworth warned that that the suspension of services could cost as much as £50million in lost value.
He said: “The Jacobite service is enjoyed by thousands of customers every year.
“It boosts the local economies of Mallaig and Fort William and brings an estimated £20million into the UK’s tourism sector.
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
Cornish Coast – One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the Cornish coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
The route from St Erth to St Ives only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular.
Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to Porthminster beach, meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately.
Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and pubs can be explored.
Durham to Edinburgh – Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window.
Newcastle, Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route.
Scotland’s West Highland Line – While Scotland is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world.
Scotland’s West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by Wanderlust – and it’s easy to see why.
The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes – and I’ve interrailed through mainland Europe.
With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the train window, it’s certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once.
“If the ORR does not grant us a further exemption, we believe this could lead to up to £50 million in lost value to both local and national communities.”
Shuttleworth also called on the ORR to find a “long-term solution which safeguards the future of heritage services on the main line”.
However, an ORR spokesperson said WCR were informed “several years ago” that they would not be able to operate after March 31 if they had neither the central door locking system or an exemption.
They said: “WCR chose to sell tickets when it was far from certain that a new application for an exemption would be granted, either in time for the commencement of services or at all.
“It submitted an exemption application on 8 March, which we are now assessing.
“ORR is disappointed that WCR appears not to have made sensible contingency plans for the benefit of their customers.”
Meanwhile, this theme park attraction in the UK is also set to close, leaving fans devastated.
And Alton Towers has confirmed that one of its attractions will be closed for good after the summer.