The Jacobite Steam Train which travels along the West Highland line from Fort William to Mallaig and famous for it's feature in the 2002 film Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets has been suspended with immediate effect. 

Operating from April to October, the service brings up to 700 people per day from Fort William to Mallaig. Some passengers then travelling on to Skye and the Isles. Creating employment for upwards of 40 people on the service alone throughout the season. 

As a result of the service being suspended we now face the reality of a huge loss in tourism, a direct devastating effect on local businesses and an expected loss of £50m to the local economy.

Upward of 700 people a day travel on the service. Not to mention the 500,000 people that visit Glenfinnan. A huge chunk of that number visit to simply watch the Train travel over the Viaduct.

All these people that visit don't just jump on the train....

There are coach parties that will visit your Cafes and Shops before and after their trip. They will grab a sandwich from Supermarkets, they will buy a Postcard, Shortbread or Souvenir from our Gift Shops.

Families and Friends that won't do the journey in one day and decide to stay in our Hotels and B&B's and will visit our Pubs, Takeaways and Restaurants in the evening.

People travelling from all over the world , just to do the trip on the Vintage Carriages. Elderly visitors reliving their childhood memories travelling on what used to be their every day transport. Regular visitors that travel year after year, lifelong dreams being made real and sometimes more sadly, some people doing it as their last wish.

The knock on effect of this service not running is undoubtably huge to our economy and our personal lives. Stretching much further than our own businesses and doors. Our Suppliers, local and further will not receive our orders, our Hotels will soon start seeing cancelations and our restaurants and cafes will soon have a few empty seats.
I understand we all have our own views and opinions on the situation , however we have to look at the bigger picture and the damage it will bring to our economy if it doesn't run. 

The service It is operated by West Coast Railways, the UK's largest main-line heritage rail operator, and has had to suspend the service as it awaits a ruling from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on whether it can continue to operate with hinged-door carriages.

The service has operated for more than 30 years under an exemption that allows it to run with hinged-door carriages on the main lines.

West Coast Railways has submitted an application to renew the exemption, and made a request for a temporary exemption to operate while the ORR makes its decision.

West Coast Railways lost a High Court challenge against the ORR over the safety of doors on its carriages in December. The company had advised that the multimillion-pound cost of having to fit central locking could "destroy" its business and argued its door systems were just as safe. However, a judge dismissed the operator's case and concluded the ORR had taken a "justifiable" approach.

Please take 1 minute to sign the petition. It may not affect you directly , however you will be connected to someone who will somehow be affected by the service not being able to operate whether it be a business, a future guest, a customer, friend or family member. 

Get The Jacobite Steam train back on tracks - renew their exemption