5972 Hogwarts Castle in Disneyworld

[alexl92]

Does anyone know whether the Hogwarts Castle loco in Disneyworld's Wizarding World of Harry Potter' is a replica, an actual GWR Hall Class repainted or an American loco altered to look like 5972?

I'd assumed it was a replica but looking at photos, certain details like the valve gear seem too detailed for a mockup - alhtough I have to admit I don't know enough to tell whether it is actually as accurate as it looks from the photo.

 

[Monty]

It's a replica, the real one should be at similar theme park in the UK on loan.

 

[chris89]

Pretty much what Monty said.

State side has replica. Real one soon to go on display at the Studio Tour nr London

 

[Harpers Tate]

In case it matters, it's at Universal Studios, not Disney. (The two are entirely separate attractions, several miles apart, and not related to each other in any business sense).

 

[yorksrob]

More impressively, a friend who visited said that it had a life size replica of (half of) Kings Cross! It's hard to think of anything more bizarre than being in Florida and suddenly finding yourself at The Cross!

 

[JaJaWa]

The fake King's Cross has fake East Coast staff and fake East Coast, Hull Trains and First Capital Connect announcements!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UkfbADTI0A

The train is actually a funicular, there's an explanation of it here:

http://www.coaster101.com/2014/06/25/hogwarts-express-works/

 

[yorksrob]

The fake King's Cross has fake East Coast staff and fake East Coast, Hull Trains and First Capital Connect announcements!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UkfbADTI0A

The train is actually a funicular, there's an explanation of it here:

http://www.coaster101.com/2014/06/25/hogwarts-express-works/

Perhaps when some of them have been retired, they could purchase an InterCity 125, just to complete the effect

 

[pne]

The fake King's Cross has fake East Coast staff and fake East Coast, Hull Trains and First Capital Connect announcements!

What gives it away as fake is the waste receptacles in a supposedly London railway station

 

[Abpj17]

How surreal - is it getting updated for the franchise change? lol and I loved the touch of cancelled appear on the board. (Definitely agree about the bins)

 

[Bedpan]

The YouTube video is quite interesting, they have included the M25! I would take issue on them calling it a funicular railway as to fulfill the definition of funicular it surely has to involve going up and down a steep incline with the two cars/trains balancing each other. One thing I do find very odd, since most of it has been done so well, (making allowance for lack of steam when the train starts moving, the non authentic whistle etc which most of the punters would not notice or realise) is that the arrivals and departure boards are showing exactly the same same info. I wonder whether the info changes throughout the day or whether the next departure/arrival is always shown as the 14.19 to/from Royston on platform 2.

 

[andrewg70]

Pretty much what Monty said.

State side has replica. Real one soon to go on display at the Studio Tour nr
London

Already there

http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/news-updates/HogwartsExpress
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=886267771423423&fref=nf

 

[alexl92]

So is 5972 being permanently retired from service then?

 

[Bedpan]

So is 5972 being permanently retired from service then?

No, the boiler certificate has expired and it has been loaned to Warner Brothers Studios until November 2016. Presumably it will then go in for overhaul - but what will Warner Bros do when it leaves, bearing in mid that the Platform 9 3/4 exhibition is described as a permanent extension of the Harry Potter Experience? Perhaps then might be able to replace it with another out of ticket Hall or Castle.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

Has 5972 ever been used on the regular Jacobite service (as Hogwarts Castle/Hogwarts Express?). Seems a major missed opporunity if it hasn't during the time it was in ticket. Or visited Goathland station on the NYMR (aka Hogsmeade station)?

 

[SignalSighting]

I know 5972 has worked the Jacobite at least once, though I can't give a specific date. It was covering for a failed loco and I seem to remember Warner Brothers got rather upset about it.

 

[alexl92]

I know 5972 has worked the Jacobite at least once, though I can't give a specific date. It was covering for a failed loco and I seem to remember Warner Brothers got rather upset about it.

Seems a bit rude. The loco does (did) quite a few non-HP tours iirc, and they don't own the loco... why should they be able to complain?

 

[chris89]

Bit off a bump to this thread.

But went to Harry Potter Studio tour on Saturday with Girlfriend and the whole place is fantastic.

Also Olton Hall looks incredibly ace. With all the special effects rigged up.

Clicky for bigger. Not great as was taken with my mobile phone (HTC M7)

Chris

 

[Blindtraveler]

I really must get to this - would be fantastic!

 

[chris89]

I really must get to this - would be fantastic!

I really strongly recommend it. Such a great experience. Even if not a biggest fan of the books or films. It is very interesting to see the Sets, Costumes and basically how everything is done.

Chris

 

[Dawg]

No, the boiler certificate has expired and it has been loaned to Warner Brothers Studios until November 2016. Presumably it will then go in for overhaul - but what will Warner Bros do when it leaves, bearing in mid that the Platform 9 3/4 exhibition is described as a permanent extension of the Harry Potter Experience? Perhaps then might be able to replace it with another out of ticket Hall or Castle.

Hmm.. I've heard different. It was on some railtours last year which were being advertised as the last ever main line run for the loco - after that it was going to be a static exhibit.

What 'ever' means in this case could be something else?

 

[Monty]

The current owner of the locomotive stated that it would receive another overhaul after 2016 loan period had ended. But I would'nt put it past WB to attempt to buy the loco for themselves.

 

[BestWestern]

The current owner of the locomotive stated that it would receive amother overhaul after 2016 loan period had ended. But I would'nt put it past WB to attempt to buy the loco for themselves.

Would it not be more economical for them to just have a mock-up built? Bearing in mind a very convincing job was made of a Class 14 for something as mundane as 'Casualty'?

 

[Monty]

Would it not be more economical for them to just have a mock-up built? Bearing in mind a very convincing job was made of a Class 14 for something as mundane as 'Casualty'?

Perhaps, but there is always the 'bragging' rights for having the 'real' Harry Potter engine used in filming to reel in the tourists.

 

[BestWestern]

Perhaps, but there is always the 'bragging' rights for having the 'real' Harry Potter engine used in filming to reel in the tourists.

Having just followed the earlier link detailing the US replicas, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do or already have ordered a third, to act as a static exhibit for the UK attraction.