Introduce The Hogwarts Express - London Kings Cross to Mallaig

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought the UK edition of the first book had an HST on the cover?
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I always thought of that as a stylised 91?

 

[sprinterguy]

I always thought of that as a stylised 91?

I've always felt they were going for an HST due to the yellow roof and one piece windscreen, as well as the bodyside livery continuing around the cab.

 

[sprinterguy]

I thought the UK edition of the first book had an HST on the cover?
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One variant of the "adult edition" features a black and white photo of a Norfolk and Western J class 4-8-4 on the cover:
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Book-Series/22726916669/bd

 

[DPWH]

One variant of the "adult edition" features a black and white photo of a Norfolk and Western J class 4-8-4 on the cover:
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Book-Series/22726916669/bd

Because that's exactly what you'll need to go from King's X to Goathland via Mallaig. On another note, adult version? Is there graphic sex?

 

[sprinterguy]

Because that's exactly what you'll need to go from King's X to Goathland via Mallaig.

Yeah, I can envisage a few gauging issues en route.

On another note, adult version? Is there graphic sex?

Nah, just different covers in an attempt to make a book series aimed at young people seem more "grown up".

 

[30907]

Yeah, I can envisage a few gauging issues en route.

Nah, just different covers in an attempt to make a book series aimed at young people seem more "grown up".

There were news reports of adults covering the books in brown paper so they could read them on the train. Understandably, he says having read his children's copies avidly...

 

[Bald Rick]

There were news reports of adults covering the books in brown paper so they could read them on the train. Understandably, he says having read his children's copies avidly...

I read the first few of the series by sneaking them in a copy of Playboy, less embarrassing.

 

[yoyothehobo]

I found my original copy the other day, all battered and torn from much reading and in a state which an eBay seller would optimistically put as "poor".

Its a first edition, first print and in mint condition would have been worth about £8000, in good condition worth about £2000. I have been offered 300 quid for it and that wont even get me on the KGX - Goathland (Via Mallaig) steam hauled themed sleeper proposed.

 

[NSEFAN]

Given that Hogwarts is actually in the North-East of Scotland, it would probably be quite easy to run such a charter as a 2-day trip. London-Perth-Inverness on the first day, Inverness-Aberdeen-King's Cross on the second day.

 

[Indigo Soup]

Given that Hogwarts is actually in the North-East of Scotland,

This is arguable... whilst there's a reference to Dufftown being nearby, it should be noted that Hermione isn't sure about that, and English people routinely underestimate the size of Scotland.

On a more practical note, the efforts of Warner Brothers mean that any 'Hogwarts Express' is expected to involve a GWR locomotive in LMS colours on LNER metals (to reach the Glenfinnan Viaduct). Maybe the Southern could provide the coaching stock?

Actually, since Quidditch was given nonsensical rules to annoy one of Rowling's ex-boyfriends, maybe the Hogwarts Express was intended to annoy an ex-boyfriend who was a railway enthusiast?

 

[yoyothehobo]

Does anyone know what the headcode for the Hogwarts Express was? Magic i can deal with, a train running without adequate identifying information? WE NEED ANSWERS

 

[Indigo Soup]

Does anyone know what the headcode for the Hogwarts Express was? Magic i can deal with, a train running without adequate identifying information? WE NEED ANSWERS

Well to judge by the first edition cover, it was lamped as a Class B Ordinary Passenger Train. Although as the cover is clearly from the buffer end, it's perhaps more likely that what we see is the ECS locomotive (and I'll note that it appears to be eight-coupled) and it's lamped as a Class D Empty Coaching Stock train.

 

[ComUtoR]

Well, the going away to school for the first time is a standard trope of boarding school fiction.

Little Harries were packed off on the train, aged 11, to a boarding school far from the big city. One would hope the first time with at least one of their parents, or maybe an older sibling, in tow.

I went to boarding school. My first time I was dropped off by car. Other times I went by train. Many of us did and whilst it wasn't my first time there were others who did come in with an older sibling. My last day of school I went home by train too.

My Nan would always buy me a book at the station and I'd read it on the train.

 

[Calthrop]

One variant of the "adult edition" features a black and white photo of a Norfolk and Western J class 4-8-4 on the cover:
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Book-Series/22726916669/bd

That must have been what I saw -- as told of in my post #28 here. It got me interested in the "Potter" books, which I on the whole found enjoyable "this side idolatry" -- might otherwise have always just thought, "silly kids' stuff, not interested".

 

[Alfonso]

On reflection I realise the stupidity of my question given the general lack of public schools in the Highlands - unless I've missed some that have closed. Nowadays, there are some around Aberdeen, Gordonstoun, and that's it. So Gordonstoun is the furthest that anyone would have been sent, and where presumably Hogwarts was modelled on. It is telling incidentally that Rowling didn't herself go to a public school and how little the Hogwarts fantasy reflects reality.

Muggle!