If you're a Harry Potter fan, this is a must. You don't sit in closed private compartments but it's a relaxing ride to Mallaig. There you can find a cute little shop called Haggard Alley for all things Harry Potter. Not only do you go over the famous viaduct but you'll also pass the island where scenes were filmed and Dumbledore's grave. A very relaxing day trip. read more

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Worth it. Totally worth it. Especially true if you're a Harry Potter fan as I am, but even if not, the scenery alone is majestic. There's plenty of info out there on how to book, routes, etc, so I won't go into that here. Tips I'll share: 1) book early - don't even think about trying to arrange this the night before. 2) don't do first class - while it's more comfy and usually our type of travel, we booked on one of the cars toward the back. That way you can see and video/snap pics of the front of the train as it goes over the viaduct. Makes you think lightening struck your forehead. 3) sit on the left side - if you're in the car facing to the front of the train, make sure your seat is on the left side. A much better view of the train going over the viaduct. 4) drink a beer or wine - even if it's 9:30 in the morning, which it was for us, have a brewskie...you're on vacation. 5) eat fast in Mallaig - don't spend a lot of time choosing restaurants. Pick a place the night before. When you arrive at Mallaig, run your happy bum to the restaurant you chose, order (and don't even try to get starters first then mains) and eat. You can take pics afterwards. Restaurants there are small, get slammed with each Twain's arrival, plus the local tourists who come by car. Hope this helps! read more

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Unless you can plan your trips precisely months in advance, you will most likely struggle trying to find tickets on the Jacobite. Don't panic. They have a certain reserved number of tickets they open up every day. Along with the cancelled tickets. We went the day before we wished to go which was perfect. As we finished the WHW, we stopped in on the way to the B&B. They had some general tickets for that day, but we were able to get first class for the next day. You have to pay cash though. If you hope to get it first thing in the morning. Come early. The line had at least 10 people 3 hours before it left. The views will not disappoint. You can only buy round rip tickets. But we are going to Portree from here anyways. So we will get off in Mallaig and catch a ferry. It's about a 2 hour 5 minute ride each way. read more

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The big draw is this is supposed to be the "Harry Potter" train. And yes, you will cross the famous viaduct and the tiny island where Dumbledore was buried in the movie. BUT, and there is a big but, when you are inside the train, it is really hard to see the viaduct because you are too close and on it. And Dumbledore island was a blink and miss it thing and was not announced. We sat next to a Potter fanatic so he was able to point it out. We rode first class and the seating was very nice. They do offer drinks and food along the way. All in all, it was fun but I am not sure it lived up to the hype of it all. read more

DON'T DO IT!!!! We paid a hefty price for a 1st class table and it was a huge disappointment. Issues are as follows: 1) Not enough ventilation with only small windows that open. The family next to us didn't use deoderant and we had to smell them there and back. It was also stuffy in the car. 2) Coal powered and smoke filled the car making it tough to breathe. Coal pieces all over table, clothes, and food. I am surprised with the amount of pollution that thing belched it is still allowed to function and that the staff doesn't all have lung cancer. 3) Service sucks, we needed to talk to someone about the above issues but the only people visible were managing the food trolly. The ladies handling the food trolly were very abrupt. No one even at the stations starting or arriving we coule talk to. Attendant closing doors outside of train wasn't in the mood to answer any questions. 4) Tea service was in a box when we got on the train. Cup of tea was served, little patience from ladies when taking your order. 5) Dirty windows obstructed views. 6) Scenery was pretty but not near as good as the drive to get to Ft. William. 7) Destination sucks with nothing to do for two hours while you wait to go back. Just a couple of souvenir shops....that's it. 8) Uncomfortable chairs that required you sit straight up for four hours- no recline in the seats at all. Save your time, irritation, and money. Just go to the aqueduct bridge and watch the train pass and get a great picture. Then eat better food, take a hike, and breathe fresh air. read more

What a joy! If you're going to be in the Fort William area, book a trip on the Jacobite "Harry Potter" train. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you're a tourist. The views were amazing. After several days of being on the road, hiking, horseback riding and fly fishing, doing nothing for a day and just watching the scenery go by was a lovely break. And it's also a steam train! How cool is that? They don't make these anymore. If you can swing it, book first class and book early. This is not something you can just book two weeks ahead, let alone the day of. The chairs in first class were comfortable and adorable. Order the afternoon tea and cheese plate packages when you book (one of each)-- it was enough food for two people. The trolley comes by and they serve tea and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and jelly slugs. So fun! Toward the back of the train is a small Harry Potter shop and also a mini bar where you can get butter beer and other Harry Potter inspired concoctions. This is a trip you won't forget! read more

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I booked a standard Jacobean Steam Train trip February 2024 for 1st July.On 24th June I received a Strange. E-Mail from W.C.R stating that their trains were running at reduced capacity and inviting me to upgrade for a reduced rate of £72. I received this at 12-00 and was told if I didn't reply by 10-00 my booking would be cancelled.I accepted the upgrade. The reason for the trip was to celebrate my wife's special birthday.She likes steam trains. On arrival, without any explanation or apology there wasn't a steam train only an unimpressive diesel locomotive.On boarding we saw the carpet was grubby. The carriage was old, but not in a good way A curtain was hanging off its rail. The window was dirty,as were the toilet. The staff were dressed in stained Hi-Viz jackets.I previously ordered champagne and chocolates. These were waiting on our table in a paper carrier bag, the type you might get your take away in. No attempt was made at any form of presentation.The scenery was magnificent.although the train didn't slow to enable us to take pictures.As we approached Mallaig the train manager assured us' there's everything you want at Mallaig' . There isn't. Mallaig is an industrial fishing village, not picturesque. Cafes selling food at inflated prices and souvenir shops. Easily walked in 15mins. Could I suggest dressing staff in uniform ( see Caladonian Sleeper). Put clean card menus on the table, not torn creased paper.Please refer to The Bluebell Railway or The Tenterden Steam Train,to see how it should be done. Scots Rail do the same trip for £18-30 return.Lastly if you advertise a steam train trip the minimum requirement should be a steam train. My wife was very disappointed. read more

I loved just about everything in our trip to Scotland, but the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig was definitely a highlight! There's not too many steam trains around, so that's an experience worth having all by itself. The scenery you get to see is phenomenal; you start in Fort Williams near Ben Nevis, cross the Glenfinnan viaduct, plenty of coastal views, and then you end up in Mallaig, on the west coast. Photo opportunities abound. You spend a bit of time in Mallaig-- enough to grab lunch, explore a little and get souvenirs if you want-- and then return to Fort William. The train and route are partially famous thanks to Harry Potter. Fans of the movies will recognize the cars and the viaduct. If you book your seats in advance, you might be lucky enough to get a spot in the Harry Potter car. First class seats are available too. Economy seats on the train aren't fancy, but they're comfortable enough. Some first-come, first-serve seats are available and we were lucky enough to get them, but I'd definitely recommend reserving seats in advance if you can. If you are buying tickets the day of, bring cash and arrive early. The trip takes up the better part of the day, but it's absolutely worth it. read more

Jacobite Steam Train - Harry Potter car of the steam train - Travel Services Near Me

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Here is the story in hwhich e train. Go to platform 2 and wait. I showed up 2 hours early. I could of get tickets online 6 months early so this s your only shot. They sell "about" 50 seats in the platform. The train leave promptly at 10:15. If you make a reservation 9 months or a year in advance you can have high tea and a salmon sandwich if you order it online only. Also know that if you stick your head out of the train you are liable to get a tree branch in the face and you will get pieces of hot burning coal in your hair and face. Also, close your window in the tunnels because the cabin wil fill with smoke from the train. Also don't get on the track to take a picture, it is a 1000 pound fine. Also when you get off the train, literally run to a restaurant beciae 350 people will want to eat and you will spend 90 minutes waiting in line for a table. read more

Read their draconian terms and conditions before booking. We paid a fortune for first class tickets and looked forward to the trip for months. We were on the less scenic side travelling out. No problem, it means we get the scenic side on the return journey. However the engine failed, so we got a non-steam replacement, travelled back in the dark, missed our dinner reservation for which we had paid a deposit. T&Cs say no comoensation. We sat next to the most annoying people I've ever met who passed the time playing loud obnoxious music on their phones. read more

There isn't much to say about this and I will not say a word about Harry Potter after this comment It's a wonderful old steam train which meanders around some of the countries most breathtaking scenery It's final destination is a little town called Mallaig and there is really nothing to do but eat fish and chips and head back It's a worth while excursion and make sure you have plenty of battery life on your camera read more

I'd put at least 4 stars IF and only IF you get the same seats. However, when we booked over 6 months ago, we had very few options for seating. No 1st class, and all steerage seats were on the opposite side to get a good view of the viaduct - both ways. You are much better off to plan your arrival to Fort William around 10am, drive to a location by the viaduct and take a picture of the coal powered steam train as it passes over the viaduct. To be on the train is pointless UNLESS you are wanting to get to Mallaig. Would I do this again? Absolutely not unless you plan way in advance and choose your seats to ensure you are on the correct side (left side of the train on the way to Mallaig, and right side on the way back to Mallaig). I had taken this same train about 25 years ago when it was super cheap. Now, it just seems like a rip off trying to capitalize on Harry Potter's success. read more

Harry Potter fans will love this train ride! There are two movie scenes here: 1st) on the ride out and back you go over the famous bridge. 2nd) you see Dumbledores final resting place "the island" on the way back. There are two other stops on the way, but only one they let you off and it's a cheesy museum and not worth the money. The cute little shop on the train was fun, but could have had more items. The train itself could use from Harry Potter magic like having the trolley with snacks going throughout the train sell Harry Potter snacks (like chocolate frogs) and the bar could sell butter beer. It would also be cool to see the employees dressed in outfits for their part. I think they could play this up a little more for the Harry Potter fans, but overall a great experience! read more

Jacobite Steam Train - Private compartment on HP train - Travel Services Near Me

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Here is the good and the bad (I just wish someone had prepped me honestly for this): 1) They do not warn you about the viaduct on the way out. You have to prep ahead of time and grab a window on the correct side. They only announce it, as you are over it. 2) Get the VIP (if you can afford it). The general seating is a mad house and you may lose the good views on the way there, and then lose again on the way back. 3) Talk to the employees. They are SO NICE!! Truly, that was the most rewarding part of the trip - and earned the 5-stars. The engineer, the souvenir shop person, we even spoke to the guy who shoveled the coal!! It as so neat to hear their stories and just get to know the people. 4) Show up on time! It will leave without you. 5) BOOK AHEAD OF TIME! I understand they book MONTHS ahead of time. 6) They will announce the via duct coming back ... but people crowd the windows. So, just be nice and SHARE. We had no problems, but I could see someone camping out ruining the experience for several people. Overall a great experience. read more

Whether you love Harry Potter or Steam Trains or beautiful scenery this is a lovely trip. The turn around in Mallaig is just long enough for lunch, you may want to rush for a table and do any site seeing after getting grub so you are not standing waiting. The town is not too large for a brief look around. The train itself is terrific fun and you should look carefully at the class options. First class looked like fun and comfort but we did not book early enough to get in there. We did the buy on the day option and were there early enough to get seats. I do not think everyone did, so be aware and do your homework. read more

Horrible in summer. Smelly grubby carriages. Clearly a tourist trap I fell into. Mallaig is a dirty forgettable town, very sad if this is what people see of Scottish highlands. So many more amazing things to see without this stale dirty "attraction" read more

This really breathtaking 84 mile round steam railway journey is an absolue must to do. It apparently has been described as one of the greatest journeys in the world. It departs Fort William 10.20am. Whilst heading for Mallaig it travels alongside Loch Morar, Loch Shiel and then to Loch Nevis. It also crosses the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct, which has been used in the Harry Potter movies. It returns back to Fort William at 4pm. It's best to plan for this excursion if going on holiday in the area as the tickets may seem a little expensive but once you see what you get for your money then it's well worth it. On our 1st visit we did not book tickets and therefore were disappointed as it was fully booked so we had to reschedule for another day but we have also drove the along the rout to Mallaig which has it's benefits from the train as on the trail you only have a short stay in Mallaig and it does not stop anywhere. My opinion is that this trail journey is an absolute must but if you have the opportunity to also drive then do that also (see mu review about the silver sands what are on the way to Mallaig) read more

Jacobite Steam Train - Travel Services Near Me

I had such high hopes for this trip, and was a bit disappointed. The train itself was fine, I know that I wanted Harry Potter everything, but it says it is not that, it is a train. They didn't really stop on the viaduct which everyone wanted for the photo opportunity, but it was stated when we departed that would only happen if there was time. Bathrooms were not the cleanest, and a couple were just not functioning. The staff with the bar and trolly carts were nice. When we stopped at the midpoint there was a talented busker playing bagpipes which was very thematic and nice. It was far too crowded to go to the shop or anything though considering the entire train poured out onto the platform. Also when we got to Mallaig the proprietors very obviously hated all of us from the train, they were borderline aggressive about our requests for lunch. It was cold and windy and rainy and just not a nice town, totally ruined any kind of hope we had to have a decent lunch, we found a takeaway and just got back on the train. Overall, it was fine for a train experience but between the weather (i know that's not in their control) and the Mallaig experience on the other end, pretty underwhemling. read more

West Coast Railways, operators of The Jacobite, provided the steam engine and carriages for the Hogwarts Express as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosoper's Stone and others in this wonderful series of films. Some of the carriages of The Jacobite are similar to those used in the Harry Potter films. read more

This is amazing, the views that you see from the train are great. I would highly recommend travelling by the train. We have followed the train also by car and it is also good. you can get some nice photos of the Glenfinnan viaduct which is amazing to see. read more

Stunning scenery all the way, as the train travels from Fort William to the fishing port of Mallaig. Highly recommended