Is the Jacobite Steam Train worth it?

Old Dec 31st, 2016, 07:50 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is the Jacobite Steam Train worth it?

Hi - wondering if the Jacobite Steam Train is really worth using up nearly a whole day of our Scottish trip itinerary? I've been reading reviews that state if you're on the right side of the train you don't get any views, that Maillag is "boring," that the first-class seats are the best but they sell out early (and yes, they are already sold out for the date in question), etc. etc. Perhaps the Road to the Isles drive would be just as enjoyable and scenic? Any honest opinions? I would of course enjoy a steam train ride but I just don't know if it's worth it, considering all of the factors. Thank you!
kristinb320 is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 08:04 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On a Rabbie's two day tour we stopped at the final stop of the Jacobite. We watched the train come in and had lunch and later saw it cross a trestle. I really enjoyed our tour and definitely wouldn't have wanted to have spent a day on the train.

I would recommend the tour instead:

https://www.rabbies.com/en
SusieQQ is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 08:15 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
"Worth it' questions are impossible for others to answer since everyone has different opinions of relative worth.

It is no more 'boring' than most any long-ish train ride. For some people VERY boring, for others not at all.

Re the views -- that is ridiculous - it is a narrow train and everyone can see everything.

Re Mallaig -- - it isn't a destination, it is just the place where the station is and where the ferries for Skye dock.

I almost always advise people to drive the route instead because from the road (runs pretty much parallel to the tracks most of the way) one can see the train AND the scenery, can stop at Glenfinan, if they time it right can see the train cross the viaduct, whereas when one is on the train they can only see the scenery really.

But unless you are headed on to stay on Skye you will still eat up much of the day driving out and back.
janisj is online now  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 08:43 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The West Highland Line (Scottish Gaelic: Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean - "Iron Road to the Isles") is a railway line linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban in the Scottish Highlands to Glasgow in Central Scotland. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the iconic Trans-Siberian line in Russia and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru.[2][3][4] The ScotRail website has since reported that the line has been voted the most scenic railway line in the world for the second year running.>

Wiki - if you drive the route the train takes as janis says is possible it would be just as nice and a lot faster I would presume. This type of train mainly appeals to locals I think who use it as a day out- something different and not so much for the scenery and as janis says what is boring to one may not be to another.

And even awesome scenery may become boring to some after a short time - if you ever take the Glacier Express in Switzerland you will realize that. By driving you can go as far as you want - get enough awesome scenery and go back - unless of course the most stunning scenery is at the end of the run.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 09:16 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
PQ -- From another thread, the OP is staying on Skye so they would have take the train out and back and then get back in the car and drive to Skye, but >>This type of train mainly appeals to locals I think
janisj is online now  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 09:46 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I meant locals may go on such an excursion train as something to do -not that they would use it for transportation - but like here folks take steam trains just for the day out- lots of these historic excursion trains in Britain - heritage trains.

Or are the Jacobite steam trains mainly full of foreign tourists - I guess tour groups or rail nuts may do it.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 09:57 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There is a perfectly good regular train that runs the same route and probably costs less.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 12:31 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Yes PQ, the Jacobite is almost exclusively tourists . . . And not many tour groups.

Scots in that part of the country almost ALL have cars so not much need for the train. Though some who live on Skye do leave their cars on the island and take the ferry/train into g,a show or Edinburgh.

But it isn't really a 'local' but is mostly for tourists
janisj is online now  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 02:05 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
For so-called "steamers" that "perfectly good train" simply doesn't cut it.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 03:07 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,334
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
We took the Jacobite some years back, in the midst of a Harry Potter craze and really enjoyed it. You can move around the train and it didn't necessarily matter which side you were sitting on.

The conductor alerted me when the famous trestle was coming and told me to go between the cars for a photo.

You do get soot in your hair and on your clothes!

Our day worked like this:
- Left Fort William on the train, arrived Mallaig early afternoon.
- Took the ferry to Armadale
- We rented a car from a Skye agency, he met us at the ferry dock with the car, gave us a handy "wrong side of the road" driving lecture.
- Drove to our B&B in Broadford
- Had plenty of time for a leisurely stroll and dinner.

A week later we returned the car at the Lochalsh railway station. This all worked out perfectly in our minds.
Nelson is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2016, 07:36 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Just to clarify: If you want to do something as Nelson describes you can only pick up a car and drop it locally (i.e. after you are ON Skye and drop it just as you leave Skye). There are no rental agencies in the area where you can pick up a car and drop it elsewhere in Scotland - nor drop a car that you picked up elsewhere. So it really only works if you are on a rail journey and rent a car just for the days you are exploring Skye.
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 1st, 2017, 09:07 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,334
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
Correct janisj. We used this agency:
http://www.skyecarhire.co.uk/

Skye was the only place where we felt like we really needed/wanted a car. We used public transportation (train & bus) to easily visit sites including Cawdor Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Dunnottar castle, Rosslyn Chapel, and Stirling.
Nelson is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2017, 09:15 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Great - but this OP is on a driving trip and will already have a car.
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 1st, 2017, 10:06 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,334
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
Ah, I didn't see that, in which case the train makes less sense. We were using the Jacobite to actually get somewhere, as well as having a good time.

But maybe someone will find that info helpful.
If not I offer a full refund on useless posted advice.
Nelson is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2017, 12:26 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts


we've all done it
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 16th, 2017, 02:02 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for this tip on the train. DH and I had thought about taking the train too but we too have found that we get a tad antsy on train trips. So I'm glad to see that driving will work for us since we'll have a car anyway.

One question - people mentioned timing at the viaduct to see the train cross. Any tips on knowing when it will cross?
patandhank is offline  
Old Jan 16th, 2017, 03:23 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
from the official site:

We cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view. Once stopped in Glenfinnan station there will be time to stretch your legs and, if you wish, visit the West Highland Railway Museum located in the restored station building. The Jacobite may also stop at Arisaig by request to the guard.

so scour the official site for a timetable and figure how far Glenfinnan station is from the viaduct time-wise?

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/j...in-details.cfm
PalenQ is offline  
Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:19 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
You want to park just up the road from the Visitors center (anyone can tell you the best place) then it is a very short walk - less than 10 minutes to the very foot of the Viaduct. If you walk across the bridge and up hill a bit you will get the most magnificent view.

The train will cross the Viaduct about 15 or 20 mins after leaving Ft William west bound and about 75 min. after leaving Mallaig eastbound. You will want some time for Glenfinnan itself so give yourselves 'wiggle room' . . . AND have sturdy shoes!
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:55 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
I just looked at my notes and the train takes about 25 mins from Ft William.
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 17th, 2017, 09:24 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
and hopefully the train will stop on the viaduct for great photo ops.
PalenQ is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -