Jacobite steam train derails in Mallaig as ScotRail services on line from Fort William halted
Locomotive blocks line for seven hours after coming off the tracks
A steam locomotive which hauls the Jacobite train has derailed in Mallaig, forcing the cancellation of all other services on the line.
The incident happened while the engine was being re-positioned for the return journey to Fort William on Sunday, which blocked the line for about seven hours.
ScotRail said it had been unable to run three services on the line made famous by the Harry Potter films, with its passengers switched to replacement buses.
People on the scene told The Scotsman the “Black Five” locomotive, which was built in the 1940s, appeared to have jumped the tracks at slow speed at around 3.45pm.
They said it was manually re-railed by a team of about 15 engineers and other staff, including from Network Rail.
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Passengers who arrived aboard the Jacobite’s afternoon service involved are believed to have been taken back to Fort William by bus.
The derailment happened while operator West Coast Railways (WCR) awaits a decision from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regulator in a long-running dispute over the safety of the service.
An ORR spokesperson said: “We are aware of the derailment at Mallaig and will consider whether any further enquiries are required.”
WCR has also sparked controversy by using grey and white former British Rail Inter-City coaches on its afternoon services rather than the older maroon carriages on the morning service which fans associate with the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
The Rev Matthew Ross, the Mallaig-based minister of the Church of Scotland’s North West Lochaber parish, posted on Facebook on Sunday: “The locomotive of The Jacobite steam train had a minor derailment at Mallaig station this afternoon.
“The rear wheels of the locomotive’s coal and water tender appear to have derailed on the points - no other wheels are affected.
“No one appears to have been injured, thankfully. All train services to/from Mallaig are currently being replaced by buses and recovery crews from Network Rail are in attendance.”
Mr Ross said the locomotive was successfully re-railed and departed Mallaig just before 10.30pm.
Another person who visited the scene said: “The locomotive appears to have jumped the rails but it stayed upright.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail Scotland, which owns the tracks, said: “A low‑speed locomotive derailment happened at Mallaig station on the West Highland Line at around 3:45pm on Sunday.
“There were no injuries or other trains involved.
“The locomotive involved was re-rerailed on Sunday evening, with the train then returning to Fort William.
“Services were disrupted for the rest of the day, with a normal service running on Monday.”
ScotRail said on Sunday: “We are currently unable to run services between Fort William and Mallaig due to a derailment.
“We are operating rail replacement buses to allow customers to continue with their journeys.”
The ORR is expected to rule by next month whether to grant WCR a further exemption from regulations introduced 27 years ago requiring carriages to have central door locking.
The Scotsman revealed in February that the company had finally conceded it would have to make the safety upgrade after losing a court battle, but is seeking time to introduce it.
WCR has been approached for comment.
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