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The iconic ‘Hogwarts Express’ may cease operation after February

The Scottish train route made famous by the Harry Potter franchise has received an exemption to run amid concerns over its safety, but it may be terminating soon – for good.

The Jacobite on Scotland‘s West Highland Line runs between Fort William and Mallaig in the country’s northwest. However, the heritage steamer that traverses this picturesque route is better known as the fictional Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter franchise that transports students (and viewers) into the school’s magical realm from Platform 9¾.

The Edwardian in Scotland
Heritage steam trains have slam-doors, as opposed to a modern centralised locking system.

Fans flock from around the world to watch The Jacobite cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a century-old railway bridge instantly recognisable to Harry Potter enthusiasts. Actual tickets for the train are booked out months in advance, but those lucky enough to bag them will embark in the footsteps of young witches and wizards as The Jacobite weaves through Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. Unfortunately, 2024 might be the ultimate terminus of ‘one of the greatest rail journeys in the world‘.

Onlookers waiting to see the Jacobite in Scotland
Fans wait to catch a glimpse of The Jacobite as it crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Why is the train potentially ceasing operation?

The uncertainty surrounding the train’s future comes amid safety concerns about the train and its operation. In 2023, a safety inspector discovered issues onboard The Jacobite that were considered a breach of Health and Safety. As a result, services were cancelled this year. Specifically, the old-school locking systems onboard heritage trains are currently the subject of a judicial review.

This isn’t the first time the safety of the railway has been called into question. The operator of The Jacobite, West Coast Railways, was banned from operating trains anywhere in Britain due to the 2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident. The operator was banned again due to concerns about the West Coast Railways’ management of safety.

The Jacobite going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland
The Jacobite crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the most iconic sections of the journey.

How long will the train continue running for?

The good news is that The Jacobite has been granted a three-month exemption from regulations that mandate modern, centralised locking systems on trains. However, beyond that, the beloved steamer faces an uncertain fate. Despite this, tickets are still on sale for the entire 2024 season.

The Jacobite going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland
The Jacobite has been granted a three-month exemption from regulations that mandate modern, centralised locking systems on trains.

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Elizabeth Whitehead

Elizabeth Whitehead

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

    The Iconic 'Hogwarts Express' Could Soon Cease Operation - International Traveller