From Newsgroup: uk.railway

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of information about the original engineering challenges), the main content strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line. Never even thought about it. But the connection
was made in full - perhaps even a little over-full.

The history of the area's part in the Jacobite rebellion was more
revealing. I have to confess that I'd never bothered to study the
reasons for Culloden and Bonnie Prince Charlie's departure by dinghy and
it was something of a revelation.

Not much about the railway itself except for the fact that historically,
it allowed the fishing industry to exist and now enables tourists to get
to battle-sites relatively quickly. Well worth watching and I'll catch
the rest of the series, I hope.
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

JNugent <JNugent73@mail.com> wrote:

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of information about the original engineering challenges), the main content strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line.

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does
feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway. And there must be hundreds of people each day queuing to have
their pictures taken by the disappearing trolley on platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross station. They then troop into the gift shop behind, where they can
buy freshly printed plates, mugs, etc decorated with their image.

The actual GWR loco (Olton Hall, promoted to Hogwarts Castle) used in the
film is currently in the studio theme park near Watford, on loan from West Coast Railways. There are replicas in the other Potter theme parks.


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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 12/10/2025 17:42, Recliner wrote:

JNugent <JNugent73@mail.com> wrote:

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of
information about the original engineering challenges), the main content
strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line.

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway. And there must be hundreds of people each day queuing to have
their pictures taken by the disappearing trolley on platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross station. They then troop into the gift shop behind, where they can
buy freshly printed plates, mugs, etc decorated with their image.

The actual GWR loco (Olton Hall, promoted to Hogwarts Castle) used in the film is currently in the studio theme park near Watford, on loan from West Coast Railways. There are replicas in the other Potter theme parks.

IIRC there is one in Japan and another in the US.
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.


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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 12/10/2025 17:42, Recliner wrote:

JNugent <JNugent73@mail.com> wrote:

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of
information about the original engineering challenges), the main content >>> strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line.

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does
feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland >> Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway. And there must be hundreds of people each day queuing to have
their pictures taken by the disappearing trolley on platform 9 3/4 in Kings >> Cross station. They then troop into the gift shop behind, where they can
buy freshly printed plates, mugs, etc decorated with their image.

The actual GWR loco (Olton Hall, promoted to Hogwarts Castle) used in the
film is currently in the studio theme park near Watford, on loan from West >> Coast Railways. There are replicas in the other Potter theme parks.

IIRC there is one in Japan and another in the US.

According to Wiki:

Three full-size replicas of the locomotive as No. 5972 Hogwarts Castle are
at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort). Two are
used as part of the Hogwarts Express train ride and the other is a static exhibit in the Hogsmeade area. There are also static models at the other Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations in Hollywood and Japan.
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 12/10/2025 17:42, Recliner wrote:

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway.

Never watched any of Harry Potter films but they seem to use more of the
line, not just the viaduct. They used a lot of polystyrene to make one
of the tunnels look more rocky so there piles of it in the some of the
lay-bys awaiting disposal.

One of the early films Used a lot of local schoolkids on the train, then
the train managed to get stuck in Banavie station. I believe they had
not allowed for the running boards so they fouled on the platform on the
bend.


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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 12/10/2025 17:42, Recliner wrote:

JNugent <JNugent73@mail.com> wrote:

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of
information about the original engineering challenges), the main content >>>> strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line.

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does
feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland
Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway. And there must be hundreds of people each day queuing to have
their pictures taken by the disappearing trolley on platform 9 3/4 in Kings >>> Cross station. They then troop into the gift shop behind, where they can >>> buy freshly printed plates, mugs, etc decorated with their image.

The actual GWR loco (Olton Hall, promoted to Hogwarts Castle) used in the >>> film is currently in the studio theme park near Watford, on loan from West >>> Coast Railways. There are replicas in the other Potter theme parks.

IIRC there is one in Japan and another in the US.

According to Wiki:

Three full-size replicas of the locomotive as No. 5972 Hogwarts Castle are
at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort). Two are used as part of the Hogwarts Express train ride and the other is a static exhibit in the Hogsmeade area. There are also static models at the other Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations in Hollywood and Japan.

This you tube video describes the technical aspects of the train ride.
Any one expecting actual copies of a steam locomotive are going to be disappointed but they and the coaches create the illusion expected by theme
park visitors.

<https://youtu.be/w8-ys4FQ3nw?si=QozUH9RsKBrIHTKO>


GH
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 12/10/2025 17:42, Recliner wrote:

JNugent <JNugent73@mail.com> wrote:

I saw the first of these this afternoon and was pretty impressed.

Although nominally about the railway (and there was a fair amount of >>>>> information about the original engineering challenges), the main content >>>>> strands were older history and recent popular culture.

I had no idea that the Hogwart's Express was based around the Fort
William to Mallaig line.

Not really rCo just the viaduct, though the actual Jacobite train does >>>> feature (and Potter tourists fill the train). ItrCOs also based in Goathland
Station, standing in for Hogsmeade Station, on the North York Moors
Railway. And there must be hundreds of people each day queuing to have >>>> their pictures taken by the disappearing trolley on platform 9 3/4 in Kings
Cross station. They then troop into the gift shop behind, where they can >>>> buy freshly printed plates, mugs, etc decorated with their image.

The actual GWR loco (Olton Hall, promoted to Hogwarts Castle) used in the >>>> film is currently in the studio theme park near Watford, on loan from West >>>> Coast Railways. There are replicas in the other Potter theme parks.

IIRC there is one in Japan and another in the US.

According to Wiki:

Three full-size replicas of the locomotive as No. 5972 Hogwarts Castle are >> at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort). Two are >> used as part of the Hogwarts Express train ride and the other is a static
exhibit in the Hogsmeade area. There are also static models at the other
Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations in Hollywood and Japan.

This you tube video describes the technical aspects of the train ride.
Any one expecting actual copies of a steam locomotive are going to be disappointed but they and the coaches create the illusion expected by theme
park visitors.

<https://youtu.be/w8-ys4FQ3nw?si=QozUH9RsKBrIHTKO>

Thanks, thatrCOs very interesting (and clever!).
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 13/10/2025 08:17, Marland wrote:

This you tube video describes the technical aspects of the train ride.
Any one expecting actual copies of a steam locomotive are going to be disappointed but they and the coaches create the illusion expected by theme
park visitors.

Aren't those big noisy things, belching smoke and steam, that I see in
the local station not steam locomotives? I have walked past them many
times and never realised they were not real.




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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

On 13/10/2025 08:17, Marland wrote:

This you tube video describes the technical aspects of the train ride.
Any one expecting actual copies of a steam locomotive are going to be
disappointed but they and the coaches create the illusion expected by theme >> park visitors.

Aren't those big noisy things, belching smoke and steam, that I see in
the local station not steam locomotives? I have walked past them many
times and never realised they were not real.

I think you have mis understood, the comment and linked video is about the theme park ride in the USA where two sets of stock are cable hauled back
and forth on small hidden bogies while the locomotive motion which is only
in place on the viewable side is moved by an electric motor , the wheels
are above a dummy rail which they barely touch. Steam and smoke are
generated in a theatrical manner. If that makes them real then it makes
my Childhood Tri-ang Loco with a smoke unit a real steam loco as well.

GH
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