Through the islands to Skye, hauled by the power of steam (West Coast Railways)

Member Name: jamesontheroad

Product:	West Coast Railways
Date:	09/01/09 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unlike any other train trip in Britain; beautifully preserved steam trains

Disadvantages: Expensive compared to scheduled services, booking ahead often required

West Coast Railways is a specialist charter train operator in the United Kingdom. They offer bespoke charter packages for business customers, as well as a small selection of seasonal heritage steam engine hauled passenger services. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Jacobite, made famous by the film adaptations of JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels.

At the time of writing the company is promoting the return of three successful services during the 2009 summer season:

* The Jacobite: an 82 mile round trip from Fort William to the ferry port and fishing community of Mallaig, made six days a week during the summer. The trip includes a glimpse of Britain's highest mountain, Scotland's deepest loch, and a stop at the country's most westerly station. This is the only regularly scheduled steam engine passenger service on the National Rail network, connecting with the ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper from Fort William to London Euston, and sharing the scenic single track to Mallaig with scheduled ScotRail trains to and from Glasgow. This final stretch of the West Highland Line is arguably one of the most beautiful in Britain, and the emotive sight, sound and smell of a working vintage locomotive always thrills packed trainloads of tourists and rail fans. Book ahead; it often sells out. One stop is made en route to permit trains to pass and to allow a brief tour of a restored station museum en route. And yes, this is "the Harry Potter train", so expect screams of delight from every child (including the adult ones) when the train reaches the stunning curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. No flying Ford Anglias have yet been sighted...

* The Cambrian: summer season steam locomotive hauled trains from Machynlleth to Porthmadog or Pwllheli.

* The Scarborough Spa Express: an occasional summer season circular / excursion train from York to Knaresborough, Harrogate and Leeds before returning to York and thence to Scarborough, with an evening return to Leeds.

Fares are well above standard Network Rail rates, so although you can purchase tickets to travel point to point, the vast majority of passengers simply take a round-trip or circular tour for the experience and nostalgia of being behind a living, working steam locomotive. When considering the Jacobite between Fort William Mallaig, don't forget that Mallaig is the ferry terminal for Caledonian Macbrayne services to the four Small Isles (Eigg, Rum, Canna & Muck) and to Armadale in the southern Sleat Peninsular of Skye.

Exact times and fares are released at the start of each season; you can find out more at the company's website: http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/ You'll also find infomration there about adhoc charters and special tours, perhaps from a station near you.

Summary: For the child in all of us. Or maybe just the boys?