The Jacobite Train Goes To Hogwarts
A Roundtrip Thrill Ride
I know you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for my much-teased post about my ride on the Jacobite train, and the wait is finally over!
Fort William
Made famous as in the Harry Potter films as the train that carries all of the young wizarding students from the magical Platform 9 3/4 in Kingscross station in London to Hogwarts, the Hogwarts Express is a beautiful steam train that travels between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands. Operating only part of the year and just twice daily, getting a ticket on the Jacobite train can be difficult considering that the two seated cars train has a very limited number of seats.
While planning our trip to Scotland this was one of the very first activities I looked into after purchasing our flights, which wasn’t a moment too soon. Three months before the date that would make sense for us to ride this train, there were not three seats (together or separate) available round-trip in either first or second class.
Something to keep in mind is that the cars which you would have seen in the films are the first-class cars, and while the second class is charming and nice, the first-class is what my fellow Potter-Heads are going to want.
However, determined to chase down every possible option, I discovered that a more modern commuter train also shares the same tracks as the Jacobite, so I was able to book three one way tickets on the Jacobite and three one way tickets on the modern train (this was also a massive cost-saver).
Something else to know when you arrive at Fort William station is that parking is a bit of a nightmare so be sure to arrive early enough to allow time to wait for a parking spot.
All Aboard!
As I mentioned above, there are just two cars with seating and three kinds of seating between them. Also mentioned above is that the seating shown in the Harry Potter films is what is only available in the first-class cars, and the two first-class cars owned by the rail company do differ slightly meaning that the actual car used in the movie might not be the one you get to ride in. However, you’ve got a 50/50 chance, and no matter what it’s going to feel special because some of the details shown in the film were digitally added and were never part of the train, to begin with.
First-Class on The Jacobite Train
In the first-class car, there are private cabins such as what Harry and his friends traveled in on the train, while the other two kinds of seating options are beautiful armchairs with tables and include tea service. This option comes as a non-facing and facing option (you can look into the face from sitting across from you, or not).
Second-Class On The Jacobite Train
As was the case in first-class, there are a couple of different seating options in the second car. There are seats that face forward, and there are seats that face each other. We purchased tickets that face each other with a table. Before you feel too disappointed about not being in first-class, you should know that the second-class car is still a historical car but has been retrofitted with modern seats and tables. Additionally, you still get the option to purchase tea and snacks prior to your ride, or from the concessions counter.
Other Things To Know About the Jacobite Train
Bathrooms
This was something that I never found an answer to prior to our ride, but yes, there is a bathroom between the cars, which they both lock and unlock during certain stretches of the journey.
Merchandise
There are exactly three cars in addition to the Engine and Coal car that make up the Jacobite train, the first of these additional three being the First-Class car, followed by the Second-Class car, and then the gift and concessions car. The gift stand sells both Harry-Potter merchandise and themed candies, but they also sell a limited selection of Jacobite Train collectors merchandise.
The Train Route
Taking off from Fort William, the Jacobite makes one stop at Glenfinnan Station before terminating at the end of the line in Mallaig.
Glenfinnan Station
Probably about 20 minutes is the approximate amount of time you’ll spend at this historical station. It’s just a small little place, but a great time to stretch your legs and take some pictures.
Glenfinnan Viaduct Photography
Beautiful by any observer but extra special for Harry Potter fans, the Glenfinnan viaduct is part of the iconic journey to Hogwarts, getting a photo is coveted and can be achieved with preparation. Here are the questions I had before I attempted to get the photo, as well as the answers that no one could give me.
Q. I want to be able to take a picture of the front of the train while going over the viaduct, so what side of the car should I be sitting on?
A. Technically you’ll want to be facing south, but the reality is that it’s not possible to choose your seats in advance and be able to know which way the car will be oriented, so don’t prioritize this.
Q. What point on the train gives you the best angle for taking the best picture?
A. Because the train will be on a curve, the further away from the engine you get, the better and more apparent that “bend” will be. The first-class car is closest to the engine, but taking a picture from the first-class car will be the least ideal. I took my photo from the space between the first and second class cars, and while I didn’t have to compete for window space at the crucial moment, the vantage point would have been much better from the back of the second class car, or the window space between the second-class car and the next further back car.
Q. When should I be ready to take the picture?
I couldn’t get any information about when the viaduct would come into play during our ride, so I stood at the designated spot that I staked out for nearly an hour before we arrived at the viaduct. Sit down, enjoy your ride, and after about 30-40 min, go find your spot to take your photo. The viaduct is a large clear area and you’ll see it coming. Also, everyone is going to be sticking their phones out the window to snap a pic at the key moment, but it takes long enough to go over the viaduct to allow for several shots to be taken and then allow others to take theirs…. share the space to cut down on the number of other phones you see in your pictures. Also, you’ll go over the viaduct right before you stop at the Glenfinnan station when heading west.
What To Do In Mallaig
First of all, there’s very little to do here and you’ll need to be prepared to kill some time before you make your return trip to Fort William. There’s a small art gallery that we enjoyed but spent WAY more time in than we would have done if there had been other things to do, but as was the case at the time, the alternatives where a small grocery store, an itty bitty Harry Potter themed alley shop called Hagrids hut (or something like that), an outdoor outfitter shop, coffee shop, and one small lunch place right by the train station. Visit all of those places and you’ll probably still be watching the clock until it’s time to get back on the train.
