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Hogwarts Express locomotive to star at Epping Ongar Railway this April
A steam train featuring in one of the world’s most anticipated television series is set to appear at the Epping Ongar Railway this April.
Steam locomotive 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’, which stars as the Hogwarts Express in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, is scheduled to visit the Epping Ongar Railway, located close to London at the end of the Central Line, this spring.
Repainted into a striking red livery for its television role, the star locomotive is expected to operate the Railway’s steam-hauled services throughout April, including over the Easter period from 3 to 6 April, before playing a leading role at the Steam Gala over the weekend of 17 to 19 April. It is also expected to feature at the new Wonderful Wizards and Fabulous Fairies event on Wednesdays during the school holidays.
Built at Swindon Works in 1948, 6989 worked trains in the Gloucester and Hereford areas before being withdrawn in June 1964. After being sold to the infamous Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, having covered over 640,000 miles in service, Wightwick Hall was purchased in 1978 and returned to steam following a 40-year restoration in 2018. The locomotive is currently based at the Bluebell Railway.
Visitors of all ages are warmly invited to experience the magic of steam and enjoy this special springtime appearance at Epping Ongar Railway.