Ex-smellyarmus! Harry Potter and the wizard wheeze to freshen up the Hogwarts Express ....

AFTER a starring role in the Harry Potter films, it became one of Scotland’s most popular attractions.

Thousands of fans of the teenage wizard have travelled on the Jacobite steam train – also known as the Hogwarts Express – over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Yet the popularity of the journey has had an unpleasant and malodorous consequence – as, for years, human waste from the passengers was being dumped along the railway tracks.

Finally, however, steps have been taken – of a practical rather than magical nature – which is nonetheless aimed at making the problem disappear. For ‘retention tanks’ have been fitted beneath the train’s toilets to collect waste.

The issue has been a long-running source of grievance for many locals, appalled that the spectacular train route between Fort William and Mallaig was being spoiled. Allan Henderson, then vice-convener of Highland Council, raised the issue with operators West Coast Railways during the pandemic, warning the health of track workers could be at risk. ‘Waste cannot simply be dumped on the railway lines where workers have to be, to continue required maintenance,’ Mr Henderson said. ‘While we all love the steam train and the business it brings, we cannot turn a blind eye to this practice.’

The twice-daily trips carry up to 700 passengers.

West Coast Railways said it had acted before an exemption granted to it and other operators expires this year. A spokesman added: ‘The tanks have been fitted and are working well.’