THE company behind the famous “Harry Potter” train journeys has expressed concern after fans packed onto station platforms to catch a glimpse of the Jacobite locomotive.
Social media footage showed platforms across the central belt packed with families looking to spot the famous train, which doubled as the Hogwarts Express in the hit films.
Under Scottish Government coronavirus guidelines people are advised to avoid busy places, while no more than six people from two households are permitted to gather with social distancing measures observed.
West Coast Railways, which operates the Jacobite trains, responded to concerns after images showed people crammed onto platforms hoping to see the iconic locomotive.
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE IN VIDEO
Lass a know waited 2 hours at drum train station to see the Harry Potter train go past tonight and this happened 🤣🤣.#YaFuckingBastard #HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/tHTWCP9bi4
— athersleyredsscots (@athersleyredsSB) September 28, 2020
The firm says it did not encourage fans to head out to view the train, and that news articles had been published detailing the Jacobite’s schedule.
“As you are aware The Jacobite is a very popular trip and brings over 150,000 visitors to the region each year. This year has been very difficult for all of us in the tourism industry with the Covid virus, and we have done our utmost to ensure the safety of our passengers, staff and for the local community throughout our shortened season,” a spokesperson told The National.
“The timings for the transfer of this train, were not published by us, or promoted in anyway by West Coast Railways.
“These articles were the first we knew of the issues that this has caused.”
The company urged people looking to spot the train in the future to follow the guidance.
The spokesperson went on: “Our message to any member of the public wishing to view our trains in transit is to do so safely, follow all local guidance on Covid precautions, stay well clear of all railway lines and respect others by not blocking traffic by parking carelessly or not respecting local residents.”
After articles published the schedule of the train, West Coast Railways did not post on social media advising people of this guidance.
Following the promotion of the train’s schedule, ScotRail posted to Twitter: “If you're at a station between Helensburgh & Westerton, you must stand well back from the platform edge. Don't risk your life to get a photo of the Jacobite, it'll be back next year.”
The company said it was not responsible for enforcing social distancing at its stations.
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