1st Class on The Jacobite Steam Train! Is it worth it?

The Jacobite Steam Train better known as the Hogwarts Express by some is one of the most famous steam trains in the World, but how good is this train ride really? Appart from being every Happry Potter fan's ultimate rail ride, should you consider taking the Jacobite steam train on a trip to Scotland and Lochaber in the Highland. Well today we take the Jacobite Stream Train from Fort William to Malliag on Scotland's coast to find out if this Train ride is worth you time and hard earned money.
This is a comprehensive self funded Trip report & Rail review of The Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig and Malliag to Fort William.
#steamtrain #scotland #harrypotter
Departure Station: Fort William
Destination Station: Mallaig
Train Operator: West Coast Railways
Train: LMS 4871 Steam Engine (the lancashire fusilier) & Mark 1 Carriages
Fare Price: £229rtn First Class Table
Total Cost: £229
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[@WorldWide_Dom]

What do you think of the Jacobite Steam Train?

[@DotBell-m6t]

Fantastic we were on it 2months ago what an experience it ticked all the boxes expected and staff were great

[@MattNav]

What an awesome train and journey. I haven't been on the Jacobite since I was a wee laddie with my grandparents and I still have fond memories of riding behind that amazing steam locomotive

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you enjoyed it as its a fantastic train ride and with its future being very much uncertain it makes each experience all the more special.

[@carolinecaiger6717]

Oooo … that tea and scenery. A win-win for sure :)

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you liked it. It really was a great train ride. Highly recommended. 😁

[@ross14wpc42]

Beautiful scenery and an iconic train ride. Love it

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joannamccue5676]

What a beautiful ride, you did a great job capturing it ! Fantastic 😊

[@LivinCindysLife]

We will be visiting Edinburgh in September, and we're planning a trip up to Fort William to ride the Jacobite Steam Train. Loved your video, and can't wait to experience it in person!

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you liked it & do have a fantastic trip, just the scenery alone getting to fort William is a worth while experience

[@1tonyboat]

We did it in September 2022 and had a fantastic day ...We shared a table with a lovely German couple and opposite were 4 american ladys . A day i shall not forget as sadly it was announced over the trains tannoy the Queen had just passed away ...Enjoy your trip .....

[@echristinebirzgalis6525]

Absolutely worth it! Just returned from Scotland. Seeing that beautiful steam engine while waiting to board was an experience to have. Then listening to the steam engine and travelling that route from Maillag to Fort William was truly an awesome experience.

[@robertofraser101]

Brilliant journey train video dom.the afternoon tea a great thing too thanks cheers

[@adamdruett9107]

My own personal experience of this line was somewhat more hectic. Staying on the southern tip of Skye I decided to try and take the ferry over to Malaig, take the train to fort William, try to climb Ben Nevis, and come back in a day. Turns out it was not possible, I abandoned 2/3rds of the way up for fear of missing the last train and ferry. Still what a line this is!

[@WorldWide_Dom]

the trains and ferry's don't match up very well in that part of Scotland sadly, which is strange as the Ferries line up almost perfectly on the Thurso to Stromness leg and the Far north Line. I have always said there should be more use of a hub type model for both Oban and Mallaig in regard to ferry and rail transportation and in the case of Oban: ferry, rail, and air.

[@JustinCredible61-g8n]

I moved up from Essex to Oban three years ago. I'd driven to Mallaig a few times and walked along the railway at the Glenfinnan viaduct a couple of times too. I was on the Jacobite first class with my girlfriend on June 1st this year and the weather was warm and sunny, thankfully. Worth it? I'd say it's a good one-off experience but I wouldn't want to go again. Trains for me just all seem the same after a few rides, but I'm glad I notched up this experience.

[@davidbbone]

Brilliant! I honestly didn't realise this existed. It's well and truly on my list. I'd love to do this and the bonus of a high tea just makes it all the more appealing!

[@WorldWide_Dom]

It is a fantastic train ride. Really do love checking out steam trains, bit of a childhood obsession that's carried on ever since I saw the flying Scotsman. The journey here is just breathtaking and the food was simple but fantastic!

[@tramacmeg8103]

Thanks for taking us along. What month was it filmed? THANKS!

[@sandiandgregh]

What gorgeous views!! I'm a bit divided on wanting to take the Harry Potter train (my husband didn't read the books or see the movie so he had no idea about the train...LOL) and deal with the crowds. We loved going on the Strathspey steam train. I think we'll probably aim to the West Highland Line next after seeing your and a few others' videos plus other journeys. Thanks for taking us along! (PS shocked by the price of a single fare return ticket...yikes!)

[@WorldWide_Dom]

it is quite pricey but very worth it in my personal opinion, and sorry I had to double check its £229 rtn for a table for 2, apologies I was look at the 4 table prices.

[@walterfillingham]

Absolutely stunning scenery, I live in Inverness, I know I could get the Citylink coach to Fort William then get the train to Mallaig and back, then Citylink back to Inverness.. been wanting to do this for a long time now. I love the way they get you to switch seats on the return journey so you get the scenery on other side of the train. Seemed well thought out

[@WorldWide_Dom]

You should go for it & might have that bus route on the channel soon. 😉

[@ArtyVanHoming]

I went on 1st class the beginning of may, we were given a complimentary box containing sweets and biscuits , but I think that was given due to the new rules in place "no standing by the doors ,heavily enforced " so not allowed to take photos from the door windows ,still a great trip though ,and well worth doing

[@CD20033]

I remember when I met you in Aviemore to now honestly amazed me how well you have done hopefully see you soon

[@WorldWide_Dom]

It was great bumping into you. I'm sure we saw The Royal Scotsman train pulling out of Aviemore before i went on the Strathspey train. That was a great day.

[@CD20033]

@@WorldWide_Dom yeah we did bud

[@leeklass3907]

I enjoyed the scenary you were unlucky with the weather the day your video was filmed. Cetainly different to my regular commute from Essex to East London on new electric trains.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you enjoyed it. Definitely beat most of the train rides within most of the UK

[@janinehawkins9565]

Oops, nearly had the champagne there Dom😂. Fantastic video thanks so much. 👏when was this please? What a wee shame about that boat trip 😢.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

I know I was so confused as i didn't order it 😅 this was filmed in October, so a little while ago now.

[@apennell3575]

I was last on the train pre HP . Too crowded for me. I walked around the Glenfinian Viaduct and only saw 2 walkers. I read recently that the mail road is often blocked by so many cars.

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

Got to try out this rail-tour, just feels so magical it's easy to feel like you're in the Harry Potter films.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

It is a really Beautiful part of the country for sure

[@lw3158]

We just booked an overnight tour from Edinburgh and on the second day we do this train ride. Unfortunately(?) the tour only includes coach seating and not able to upgrade. Hopefully will still be worth it and I am betting that it will be!

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I have travelled first-class and I have also travelled 2nd class on British trains and to tell you the truth There's not much difference " only the money 😂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 .

[@williamsanger3868]

Sadly the Railway Company has lost the court case to operate the carriages and also were not granted an exemption certificate. So we wait and see any further developements.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

It is such a shame, i do hope the service can find a way or running profitably despite the ruling.

[@walterfillingham]

They will increase the cost of the tickets for this year, which should be enough to pay for the safety changes required, based on last year’s numbers

[@michaelmcnally2331]

Yet every other operator of heritage stock on the mainline has been able to comply with these regulations. These are not new and west coast railways warned about this previously and have chosen to ignore the requirements that they needed to comply with. North York Moors railway with its run into Whitby has been able to comply, Vintage Trains with the Shakespeare express has been able to comply. If they can do it then 100% there is absolutely NO excuse for West Coast to have not been able to plan to have Central Door Locking for the,coaching stock.

[@lewiss626]

I don't feel sorry for west coast rail at all they have been doing is kicking the can down the road for years now. I don't believe they didn't know this would eventually happen, All their statements makes them out to be the true victim because the big bad ORR won't let them run their "Harry Potter train" oh boo hoo.

[@cheefy30]

I was on this journey last week

[@fatimahalzahraa9347]

Thank you so much for that video! Just wanted to ask can we take the train from Glenfinnan where you stopped by the cafe or does it have to be from Fort William?

[@vishallakhotia3615]

Hi. Lovely video just one question where do you get the train ticket from? Planning a trip in May

[@b.nichols3255]

"Was it worth it?" How can we tell, you didn't tell us what the cost was.

[@mrgrant7067]

Yeah it's worth it the journey is brilliant in 2008 when I was on it the cost was peanuts and I remember buying fish & chip's from someone's back door in Mallaig what made laugh.

[@jackwatsonepic626]

You can book up on the Caledonian coach holidays for £299 for 4 day's stopping at the claymore Hotel in Arrochar . Bed breakfast and evening meal and 4 alcohol drinks included each night of your stay including 2 excursions and the jacobite train 🤔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Pmcknockiter81]

Haha 4 alcohol drinks a night , really sounds worth it

[@john07973]

Good stuff 👍

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Thanks 👍 Glad you liked it.

[@Pmcknockiter81]

You do realise that although it was used for harry potter , areial shots etc and the viaduct, a lot of harry potter footage was also filmed on the NYMR

[@steveworthington930]

It,s cancelled due to non locking door,s on carriage,s. Operator knew about this regulation over 20 yrs ago and ignored it.

[@TERRYBARTLETTRAILMAN28]

No 4871 is the other Black Five you just got it wrong there that is LMS 5407 The Lancashire Fusilier don't know what made you say 4871 as that Black Five is busy down here in the south

[@AeroTravels]

Amazig beautiful report.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@brandonosis94]

They should move the Jacobite to King’s Cross Station and still have it across the Glenfinnan Viaduct and towards Scotland

[@WorldWide_Dom]

With modern trains it would take 9 hours to reach the Glenfinnan viaduct in Scotland London King’s Cross, with stream trains you looking at multiple days. That’s very impractical.

[@brandonosis94]

@@WorldWide_Dom Oh. But do they have have steam trains that go to Edinburgh

[@WorldWide_Dom]

@@brandonosis94 not regularly. its usually a specific service run by a heritage company rather than a scheduled service.

[@brandonosis94]

@@WorldWide_Dom Oh. What service? :)

[@paullangford8179]

The weather isn't "a bit unpredictable"! It is perfectly predictable: you're in Scotland, it will be raining.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Its going to be in there but still unpredictable I'd say, as the old phrase here goes "4 seasons in 1 day" sadly summer had to happen while I was on the train and winter as I arrived into Mallaig 🤣 Thanks for watching.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very good presentation

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Glad you liked it, thank you.

[@Islander2084]

Is the locomotive the black 5?

[@Thebigfour1923]

Yep 45407 Lancashire fuselire

[@telemachus53]

I'm overwhelmed. Incredible. And those sandwiches made me peckish.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Any sandwich in particular?

[@telemachus53]

​@@WorldWide_Dom​The orange one - it looked like cheese and onion.

[@badgerlandcouk]

The online reviews of the awful steam service on this route make interesting reading. The steam train has very very little to do with Harry Potter - you are much better to take the more frequent and more reliable standard train. The cancellaions of the steam service - often at the last minute - are legendary. You will save £££ and get the same views on the standard service train. It's good that you had a nice time; but very many people come away from this steam experience thinking they've been ripped off and it isn't worth the expense. That said, Mallaig and the shops and cafes there are well worth a trip.

[@jameshennighan8193]

LONGER STOP Mallaig would benefit from a stop longer than 1 hour.........and, given it's remote location, the station would benefit from the restoration of a platform length canopy. It is surprising that the authorities, both local and national, have not given more thought about restoring Mallaig Station to the grandeur that it once had. A turntable at Mallaig would also make sense...... Unsure which coaching stock is currently in use on 'The Jacobite' (May, 2024)... The Mark 1's are superb and make perfect sense. Not so sure about being hermetically-sealed in other coaching stock..... James Hennighan Yorkshire, England P.S. The so-called 'Locking' of doors on Mark 1's is an administrative and beaurocratic nonsense, with WCR getting the sharp end of an unnecessary stick from 'Officialdom' Mark 1 Coach Doors .....and particularly the Locking Mechanisms, are perfectly safe. They were designed to be this way and work as a two-step operating function. They cannot open accidentally.

[@aafonso18]

Im going for a ride in 3 months

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Nice!

[@hssah314]

How do you book tickets??

[@WorldWide_Dom]

@@hssah314 Go to West Coast railways website, click on the Jacobite, click book now, follow through but selecting number of passengers, class, date etc & until the tickets are booked.

[@aafonso18]

@@WorldWide_Dom "2024 Season - At present we do not have any seats available to book. We are monitoring this on a daily basis and will update this page should we have any availability." They are having some problems at the moment. Since the start of the year I think...

[@hssah314]

@@WorldWide_Dom theres only date up to 17th July but they are all booked, is there another way to book a further date?

[@markamey2544]

famous? perhaps nowadays infamous woulkd be more corect!

[@WorldWide_Dom]

You may sadly be right. Here is hoping it can resume service.

[@LanarkshireRailfan]

This train is NOT featured in Harry Potter. Please stop the spread of misinformation!

[@GWRPhotographer]

45407 is a Black 5 & it’s never been used in the films. You’re on about Olton Hall, do your research before spreading misinformation please.

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Thank you for your comment but clearly you are the one that needs to do more research before commenting as you obviously didn’t watch the video before commenting as I mentioned that in the video 🙄

[@art0000t]

@@WorldWide_Dom And however to add an extra note: I do believe the production company did hire some of the coach stock from West Coast for the film. They have one or two of the coaches used on the film in the rake on the Jacobite Express.

[@lewiss626]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 clearly didn't watch the video before commenting did you 😂😂😂😂😂