A petition to stop the suspension of the Jacobite Steam Train had garnered almost 3,000 signatures less than a week after being launched.
Operators West Coast Railways (WCR) suspended the service last week while they seek an exemption to rules from rail regulator Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
In December last year WCR lost a High Court challenge against the ORR over the safety of doors on its carriages.
The company had advised that the multimillion-pound cost of having to fit central locking could "destroy" its business and argued its door systems were just as safe. However, a judge dismissed the operator’s case and concluded the ORR had taken a "justifiable" approach.
According to the operator, the Jacobite service boosts the economies of Mallaig and Fort William, and brings an estimated £20 million into the UK’s tourism sector.
Without a further exemption this could lead to up to £50 million in lost value to both local and national communities, it claims.
Upward of 700 people a day travel on the service, not to mention the 500,000 people who visit Glenfinnan to watch the train cross the famous ’Harry Potter’ viaduct.
After hearing the news of the suspension, local businesses which rely on the seasonal service are deeply concerned.
Maria Wilson, who runs both the Signal Box Shop in Fort William and Harry Potter merchandise outlet Haggard Alley in Mallaig, is one of many who fears for the future of her business.
Last week Maria started the petition which is linked with ORR so that administrators were aware of the strength of feeling towards the decision to suspend the service first hand.
"It’s beyond devastating," she told us.
"I only opened The Signal Box last year and it mainly focuses on the steam train passengers which is where my main income comes from.
"The shop in Mallaig also relies heavily on the Harry Potter fans coming to visit us so if there is no steam train then we, and many other businesses along the line, will lose those 700 people a day.
"It’s a massive worry, we have spent the last few years clawing our way back from the effects of Covid and now this."
Maria is also concerned on the effect it will have on her seasonal staff.
In a statement issued last week WCR apologised for the possible disruption, adding: "The timing of when we will be able to resume our service is completely beyond our control."
It added: “WCR will continue to work closely with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to obtain the necessary clearance for the Jacobite service to resume."
A statement from ORR said: “All heritage operators were told several years ago that in order to operate after March 31, 2023 they either needed to fit central door locking or obtain an exemption from us.
“WCR submitted an exemption application on March 8, which we are now assessing. ORR is disappointed that WCR appears not to have made sensible contingency plans for the benefit of their customers.”
Recognising the immense value of the Jacobite Steam Train to communities in Lochaber and its contribution to the local economy, Kate Forbes MSP said: "I have previously been in touch with the Office of Road and Rail on this matter and am currently liaising with the West Coast Railway Company in their representations to the ORR and the Transport Minister.
"I hope to see a service reinstated as soon as possible and will continue to engage with the ORR and others on this.
"If no train were to run this season it would be absolutely devastating."
Speaking to the Lochaber Times this week Fort William councillor Angus MacDonald said: "This is awful news; the Jacobite is possibly the single biggest draw of tourists to Lochaber.
"Mallaig itself has many hospitality and retail businesses that are only viable because of the steam train.
"I have written to the Scottish Office Minister Lord Donald Cameron and asked him to speak to the Transport Minister and the ORR to make them see sense."
For more information and to view the petition go to Change.org - Get the Jacobite Steam train back on tracks.
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.