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The UK Warner Bros Studio Tour Expands With Original Hogwarts Express!

hogwartsexpressTHN

Now we all know that the States cover the huge studio tours but Warner Bros in the UK have something ultra special with The Making of Harry Potter at Leavesden and it’s an astonishing one at that. Numerous THN writers have found themselves taken in by the sheer brilliance of it all and now they’ve just announced that this March sees a 20,000ft2 expansion, which includes the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾.

The new, permanent section will offer a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created as well as give visitors the chance to climb aboard the train’s carriage and to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall – Too exciting!

Throughout the Harry Potter film series, British steam train no. 5972, ‘Olton Hall’, was used as the Hogwarts Express. Scenes featuring the working engine – including the very last scene to be shot, in which a grown-up Harry, Ron and Hermione wave their own children off as they head to school – were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and on a track running the full length of the Studios’ 100-acre backlot. The 78-year-old red engine will return to the series’ production home this spring and will be displayed with steam billowing as visitors step onto the platform.

Officially opening on Thursday 19th March, the new section has been redesigned and will be built by many of the crew members who worked on the film. Every inch of the platform’s glass roof, yellow brick walls and luggage racks, designed by Oscar and BAFTA winning Production Designer Stuart Craig, will be painstakingly reassembled by a team led by Construction Manager Paul Hayes and dressed by Set Decorator Rosie Goodwin. Oscar and BAFTA winning Special Effects Supervisor John Richardson will rig the locomotive with special effects steam. Stunning work, we’re sure you’ll agree.

As ever, you can book your tickets over with them via this link here. We highly recommend the tour and now it’s about to get even better. 

Dan loves writing, film, music and photography. Originally from Devon, he did London for 4 years and now resides in Exeter. He also has a mild obsession with squirrels and cake. The latter being more of a hobby. Favourite movies include HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, ROXANNE, GOOD WILL HUNTING, JURASSIC PARK, too many Steve Martin films and Nolan's BATMAN universe. He can also be found on www.twitter.com/danbullock

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