The Jacobite steam train is back on the rails for the 2026 season, bringing one of Scotland’s most iconic rail journeys to visitors from around the world. The train was made famous by the Harry Potter films. West Coast Railways, the operating company of the Jacobite train, supplied the engine and carriages used in the filming of Hogwarts Express in “Harry Potter“.
The heritage steam service runs the 84-mile (135-km) round trip between Fort William and Mallaig, crossing the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct, the ones which gained worldwide fame as the Hogwarts Express route.
Morning departures are operating daily until October 23, while the popular afternoon service runs seven days a week until September 25. Tickets for both Standard and First Class are on sale, with the train using restored Mk2 heritage carriages. Prices start from £76 for a return ticket.
The Jacobite remains one of Scotland’s biggest visitor attractions, drawing railway enthusiasts, photographers and Harry Potter fans eager to witness the steam locomotive crossing the landmark viaduct.
According to the National Trust for Scotland, around 600,000 visitors come to Glenfinnan each year, making it one of the country’s busiest scenic locations.
With the new season underway, Network Rail Scotland and the British Transport Police are urging visitors to watch the train from designated viewing areas rather than venturing onto the railway.
Officials say increasing numbers of visitors have been climbing fences, walking along the tracks and standing on the railway in an effort to capture photographs of the famous steam train.
Trains can approach from either direction, are quieter than many people expect and require long distances to stop, creating a serious safety risk. Instead, visitors are encouraged to use the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, which offers dedicated viewing points while keeping spectators safely away from the railway.
British Transport Police also stressed that trespassing on railway property is a criminal offense. Anyone found on the tracks, viaduct or surrounding railway land can be removed, fined and prosecuted.
