Date: 31/08/2018

Emerging from the clouds of steam engulfing platform nine and three-quarters, the gleaming Hogwarts Express commands a special place in the hearts of Harry Potter fans.
Yet there was a time when the only place this engine could call home, was a south Wales scrapyard where it lay rotting among the hulks of a bygone era.
That is because the train that entranced millions of Potter viewers and now sits proudly in Warner Brothers Studios, was once earmarked to be dismantled for the furnace.
Written off, abandoned and forgotten for 17 years, this lowly engine^s final destiny was the furnace rather than Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry.
But the story of humble GWR 5972 Olton Hall, is as enchanting as any told by JK Rowling.

External links

When the Hogwarts Express was set for scrap

BBC News

The real-life story of the Hogwarts Express is almost as magical as the engine itself.

Related images

GWR 4-6-0 5972 'Olton Hall' aka 'Hogwarts Castle' all 'steamed up' at the recreation of Kings Cross platform 9 and three quarters in the Warner Brothers studios at Leavesden, Watford.
Location: Leavesden Studios
Company: Warner Brothers
17/06/2017 John McIntyre

5972 Hogwarts Castle, rarely ventures out from Carnforth but headed the Wizards Express to York on 7th June 2014. The loco is due to go on static display for several years at Harry Potter World and this last trip sold out very quickly and so is being repeated in July. 5972, real name Olton Hall, is seen at Borwick heading east towards Settle Junction.
Location: Borwick
Company: Furness and Midland Joint Railway
07/06/2014 Mark Bartlett

B12 no 61572 stands alongside 5972 Olton Hall at York Railfest in 2004. The B12 is the last surviving inside cylinder 4-6-0, while no 5972 is the locomotive that became closely associated with the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films..
Location: National Railway Museum York
Company: National Railway Museum
//2004 Colin Alexander

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Tags: x GWR x Olton Hall