The iconic 'Hogwarts Express' steam train, officially known as the Jacobite, is set to resume services after being granted a temporary exemption from a safety rule by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The exemption allows the train to operate until the end of November, following a suspension due to safety concerns.
The ORR had halted services after a safety inspection revealed that passengers were at risk of falling from carriages or being hit while leaning out of windows. The issues centered on secondary door locks and the lack of central door locking on hinged door carriages.
West Coast Railways, the operator of the popular tourist attraction, has now implemented new safety arrangements that satisfied the ORR. The exemption certificate was granted on 8 August and will remain valid until 30 November, allowing the company to honour its bookings while its claim for judicial review is determined.
The Jacobite runs between Mallaig and Fort William across the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands, a route made famous by its appearances in the Harry Potter films. The suspension had raised concerns about the impact on Scottish tourism, particularly in the Highlands region.
