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Enjoy a Harry Potter
Train – In The
Spectacular Scottish Highlands By John Clayton
It was the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and if you watch the first Potter movie closely, you'll see the type of magical steam train that Harry's in, going over this Viaduct. You only have to glance at the Viaduct and the spellbinding scenery – even if only for a second or two – and it becomes as clear as looking through a freshly washed crystal glass, to see why movie directors (and Location Managers) love this location. We viewed it from about a mile away, and from where we were standing, the Viaduct is in the middle or center of captivating, colorful rolling hills – a gorgeous assemblage of rich earth tones, browns, greens and faded yellows that tell you why the Scottish Highlands are so mesmerizing.
As if knowing that there was an audience of tourists looking at all this awesome scenery, lo and behold a "Harry Potter Train" came into view and began to cross the Viaduct. White smoke drifted slowly skyward, spiraling up into the heavens like a Harry Potter wizard's spell. I was just able to make out that the engine was a classic Gresley Class engine of LNER – or the London North Eastern Railway, which was one of the leading railroads of the 1930s – 1950s. Then, as magically as it had appeared, and as if to make sure WE knew how lucky we were to witness all this, it made itself even more of a tourist attraction, by emitting that one-of-a-kind, uniquely British steam train whistle. Truth is stranger than fiction here, because the train is part of a marvelous "for real" magical ride from Fort William to Mallaig (or reverse) and you'll enjoy a one-of-a-kind train trip that makes YOU feel you are in Potter's Hogwarts Express. When the train comes into the station be sure YOU go up to this stream engine, and get YOUR "Show-the-folks-back-home" photo taken by this classic British steam engine dating back to the 1930s.
Train buffs will already know that this railroad line has (at last count) three spectacular steam engines. Two Gresley Class LNER engines, and one LMS Stanier Class engine. Back in the period of 1930 – 1950s, Great Britain had several, independent large railroad companies, and two of them were the LNER and LMS, or the London Midland and Scottish. This ride is 41 magnificent miles in length, taking you through gorgeous, jaw dropping scenery that'll come close to convincing you that yes, you really ARE in Harry's train. For more tantalizing train trivia, and related memorabilia, go online and type in Jacobite Steam Train.
While I'm sure Harry Potter could well be on your mind for much of your trip here, don't bother telling Harry about it. Because I shared all this information with you, tell me about it – jdcradio@cox.net Train buff or train enthusiast, or an adult with many years "under your belt," man or woman, or hey, a child or teenager, make sure you take time to visit Great Britain's' riveting, enticing, gripping, beguiling and simply stunning National Railway Museum in York. Their website is (almost!) as fascinating as the Museum itself – as you'll see at www.nrm.org.uk Related Articles: |
or
an extraordinary "Side Trip" on your European vacation, consider
Harry Potter. Yeah, THAT one. Ever since I was a kid growing up in London,
I've always been tantalized by trains – especially steam trains,
and on one of many trips to Scotland, part of my journey took me through
the Highlands. Because I'm a travel journalist, the Scottish Tourist
Board – and knowing of my love for "Treasured Trains"
– was kind enough to provide me with a remarkably well informed
guide who, it turned out, was as intrigued by steam trains as I am.
So, when he said we were about to go into "Harry Potter country,"
and that it included steam trains, I hung on his every word. What was
it that we were about to see?
