Harry Potter line steam train firm blasted by Ian Blackford for not suspending bookings

But Jacobite operator accuses Lochaber MP and SNP Westminster leader of “acting like Lord Voldemort”.

Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Picture: West Coast Railways.

Mr Blackford has posted a video on social media attacking West Coast Railways for its “less than acceptable” behaviour” in still taking bookings for trips from 1 May.

He said he had made the appeal to suspend the operation after being unable to contact the company.

The service operates up to twice daily every summer between Fort William and Mallaig – the line featured in the Harry Potter films.

The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP said in his video on Twitter and Facebook: “I have been contacted over the last few days by a number of constituents in Lochaber who are very concerned that the company are taking bookings for journeys from 1 May.

“I have to say to the company that their behaviour is less than acceptable.

“We want to welcome tourists when it is safe to do so but we recognise the lockdown we are currently in is going to remain in place for a considerable period of time and it is not responsible behaviour for the West Coast Railways company to be taking bookings at this point.

“These services can’t run and they are simply going to end up in the situation they are going to have to cancel bookings.

The Jacobite STEAM TRAIN passing Polnish church near Lochailort on its first trip of the season on the Fort William to Mallaig on the West Highland railway line. Pic Stephen Mansfield 19/6/2000 PUBDATE_TS_03_10_2000_06_20

“We simply cannot tolerate companies that are giving the impression that we are going to be open for business over the course of the next few weeks, because it’s not the case.”

BACKGROUND: Jacobite steam train launch postponed after all

Mr Blackford urged the firm to “do the right thing” and suspend bookings.

West Coast Railways (WCR) said it had already delayed the launch of services from 6 April from 1 May, which it said was “a fortnight after the expiry of the original lockdown”.

However, it said it had promised that if the lockdown continued, passengers who had booked could get a refund or rebook for a later date.

A spokesman said today: “After Mr Blackford contacted us, we assured him we had absolutely no intention of running services until the lockdown ends and the Government gives permission.

“However, we explained we were waiting for the Government’s update this afternoon on whether, as is widely expected, the lockdown will be extended and if so for how how long.

‘“We told him that then, in light of what was announced in both Westminster and Edinburgh, we would update our website.

“In the meantime we have promised that anybody booking to travel on the Jacobite would not lose their money.

“This is the exactly the same way that many airlines are continuing to operate and we would point out that regular train services in Britain have not been suspended.

“Indeed ScotRail is still running a return service three times a day over the very same Fort William-Mallaig line that the Jacobite uses.

“Finally we would reiterate, as we have already done to Mr Blackford, that West Coast Railways has absolutely no intention of running any trains in Scotland or elsewhere until the lockdown ends.

“And, in view of our denials, we are extremely surprised that as a responsible MP he has now gone public in suggesting that.

“He seems to be acting just like Lord Voldemort and trying to make the Hogwarts Express, one of Britain’s biggest tourist attractions, hit the buffers.”

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