A heritage steam locomotive from Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has been chosen to appear as the Hogwarts Express in the forthcoming Harry Potter television series.
The locomotive, Wightwick Hall, is a BR (Western Region) 4-6-0 5MT steam engine, numbered 6989. It was originally rescued from Barry Island scrapyard in 1978 by a group of volunteers. The restoration process, carried out by Buckinghamshire Railway Centre supporters and staff, has taken over four decades.
Wightwick Hall had previously been a working steam engine before being withdrawn from service and sent for scrap in the 1960s.
According to the Centre, this collaboration with the television production team helps secure the locomotive’s continued upkeep and visibility.
The original Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films was played by GWR locomotive 5972 Olton Hall, but the new series is expected to feature fresh creative choices while remaining visually consistent with the source material.
A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Railway Centre said more information about Wightwick Hall’s involvement would be shared in due course. In the meantime, the engine will continue to be based at the Centre, which remains open to visitors.
