A steam train made famous by Harry Potter has been suspended pending a safety ruling.
The Jacobite train service through the Highlands has been suspended with immediate effect as it awaits a verdict on allowing it to continue operating in its current state.
Its operator has warned the suspension could cost up to £50m in lost value.
The Jacobite train featured in the 2002 film Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets and is sometimes known as the Hogwarts Express in a nod to JK Rowling‘s franchise.
It is operated by West Coast Railways (WCR), 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.
Hinged-door carriage exemption
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, which is typically not allowed.
WCR has submitted an application to renew the exemption, and made a request for a temporary exemption to operate while the ORR makes its decision.
WCR lost a High Court challenge against the ORR over the safety of doors on its carriages in December.
The company had complained that the multimillion-pound cost of having to retrofit 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.
The service takes tourists from Fort William to Mallaig, including over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Suspension could cost £50m in lost value
Speaking about the suspension, James Shuttleworth, commercial manager at WCR, 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 £20m into the UK’s tourism sector.
“If the ORR does not grant us a further exemption, we believe this could lead to up to £50m in lost value to both local and national communities.”
The company said passengers with bookings for the Jacobite will be offered a full refund.
Read more on Sky News:
Mother of missing British woman asks Biden for help finding her daughter
Ex-Man City footballer will serve prison sentence in Brazil for rape
An ORR spokesperson said heritage operators, including WCR were told “several years ago” that in order to operate after 31 March, they must either have central door locking – as opposed to hinged-door carriages – or would need an exemption.
“WCR’s application for an exemption failed and they made a claim for judicial review,” they added.
“A temporary exemption was granted in order to maintain the status quo, enabling WCR to operate whilst the litigation reached a conclusion.
“Despite this, 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.”
