Please sign in to post.

The Jacobite Train 2026 BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

Posted by (Lake District, England ) on

UPDATED 4 JUNE- Public Bookings for the morning train until 23 October have opened this afternoon.
UPDATED 6 JUNE- Public Bookings for the afternoon train (starts 10 June) until 25 September have now opened

While we still have no date for the Jacobite steam train service to commence, a bit of progress.

The empty coaching stock for the train works north tomorrow (Saturday) departing Carnforth (Steamtown) at 0308, due to arrive at Tom na Faire depot, Fort William at 1738.

Diesel Locomotive Class 37518 and Black 5 Steam Engines 44871 and 45407 have worked north with a rake of central door lock fitted Mark 2 train cars- exactly the cars they said they were not going to use.

Apparently an email has been sent to the travel trade that both trains (1015 and 1250 from Fort William) will run from 1 June- for tour groups only.

For those who are interested the schedule is- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U86041/2026-05-30/detailed

The stock taken north was 2 x POB ]Private Owner Brake- basically support coaches], Tool van, 7 Mk 2’s, all non air conditioned, with a MK1 (with central door locking) converted to a buffet.

Posted by
11905 posts

The morning service only did indeed begin on 1 June. There is no date for the afternoon service to start.

Online bookings are not yet open, but a 'limited number' of seats are apparently available each day- just turn up and pay the Guard at the train side- CASH ONLY (no Cards)
2nd Class return £69
1st Class return £105
Children £39/£69 respectively
Table for 2 in 1st class- £229
Private Compartment for up to 6 people in 1st class £425

Plus a £7 booking fee.

The only complimentary refreshments in 1st class currently are tea and coffee (no scone), but the buffet car is available to all passengers

The running times for the morning train are here-
Mallaig bound- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C16605/2026-06-02/detailed
Fort William bound-https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C16606/2026-06-02/detailed
Afternoon train-
Mallaig bound- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C16609/2026-06-10/detailed
Fort William bound- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C16610/2026-06-10/detailed

Note that on Day 1 the return journey ran 5 minutes early at Glenfinnan, arriving at Fort William 12 minutes early

The train should be on platform at Fort William at 0917 for it's 1015 departure, on arrival at Mallaig it shunts out of the station at 1240, returning in at 1306.

Posted by
36851 posts

interesting, Stuart.

are the tables and compartments inclusive of fare, or in addition?

No scone???

Posted by
11905 posts

Inclusive.

I'm a detail person, and it struck me reading the poster it just said free tea/coffee in 1st. It's the missing words sometimes which are key. There has always been a scone included in 1st. I admit to having done the journey on the Jacobite, and admit to having splurged for 1st.
I must have had a reason to be so frivolous.
I'm sure I got jam and cream with the scone, which I don't think you have had in the last few years- as I understand it you have just had a plain scone in recent years.

Irrespective of the other merits of the service I find it a bit disappointing that they can't stretch to a cake of some sort from one of the local bakeries- like the new deli at Mallaig Station, and support local enterprise a bit.

There is no mention either of the afternoon tea boxes you could buy in the past in (both?) classes. Another apparent little economy, which must have turned a profit for them- so on the face of it a false economy.
Whether that's linked to it being a buffet car, not a kitchen car they've sent up, I wonder.

Posted by
11905 posts

I've seen a facebook post today from the Friends of the West Highland Line that you can actually add Afternoon Tea/High Tea in both classes (in First only in the non-compartment coaches). It is supplied by Bloom and Graze at Mallaig and costs an extra £29.50.
You rather have to fiddle with the website to find that option.

Posted by
3 posts

I was hoping to get tix the first week of August and everything is sold out already. Did I miss my chance? Is this a situation where scalpers will have tickets?

Posted by
11905 posts

Note that Shiel Buses are again running the special bus service #9 3/4 from Fort William to Glenfinnan until 13 September in connection with steam train times.
Single Fares are £2, but even if doing a return journey buy 2 x singles as the return fare is not covered by the Scottish Fare Capo so is £12.

https://www.shielbuses.co.uk/route-9-and-3-quarters

This is a council contract service due to the acute parking problems at Glenfinnan

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.