The final journey of the Harry Potter train: Hogwarts Express at risk of closure
The iconic journey made famous after the release of the Harry Potter book series, is set to be discontinued. The scenic route across the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland might cease operations next year.
The well-loved tourist attraction, sought after by fans, is encountering safety issues. WalesOnline reports on the current situation with the Harry Potter train.
The vintage Jacobite locomotive and viaduct gained fame through their appearances in the Harry Potter film series, transforming Invernessshire into a popular tourist destination.
It is highlighted that the West Coast Railways (WCR) train fails to meet the safety requirements set by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) due to issues with locking doors.
The issue lies in the fact that the train doors lack central locks, a requirement set by the UK rail regulator, posing potential risks to passengers. However, the installation of these locks is deemed prohibitively expensive for the organizers.
According to the WCR regulator, the cost of implementing the locks can reach up to £7 million. This expense would significantly erode most of the operator's profits from the past decade.
The company had been granted two 10-year exemptions from the regulations on locking car doors, but these exemptions expired in March 2023.
An inspection conducted in July revealed violations of passenger safety. Stewards failed to prevent passengers from leaning over or sticking out of moving train doors.
The owners of the tourist locomotive were granted another reprieve, lasting until early next year. Simultaneously, a lawsuit regarding the locking of train doors is expected in January. Meanwhile, WCR has permission to continue operating until a verdict is reached or until February 29, 2024, whichever comes first.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the use of the locomotive, train tickets for the 2024 season are already on sale. A round-trip ticket for an adult costs £65, while a premium compartment is priced at £398.
According to reports, approximately 500,000 people travel on this train annually.