| Author J.K. Rowling was traveling by train | | | | weekdays from mid-May to mid-October, and |
| when the inspiration for Harry Potter came to | | | | weekends in June and July. Although the |
| her, and the train motif has carried along | | | | actual engine will not be 5972, the train is |
| throughout her series in the form of the | | | | very much like that used in Harry Potter, and |
| famous Hogwarts Express. What few people | | | | travels the route across the Glenfinnan |
| realise is that the Hogwarts Express is | | | | Viaduct. |
| actually a functioning steam train, running | | | | |
| through the Highlands of Scotland as The | | | | In 2008 it departs Fort William at 10:20, |
| Jacobite Steam Train. | | | | arriving in Mallaig at 12:25. Its return |
| | | | journey departs Mallaig at 14:10, arriving in |
| One of the most famous locomotives in | | | | Fort William at 16:00. Fares along the Fort |
| history, steam engine number 5972, named | | | | William to Mallaig run range from £16.50 |
| 'Olton Hall', and is powered by a Hall 4-6-0 | | | | for a child standard round trip ticket, up to |
| steam engine, pulling 4 cars or carriages | | | | £43.00 for an adult first class return. |
| behind. This lovely steam engine, and other | | | | |
| carriages used in the film, were provided by | | | | Reliving the Harry Potter magic by taking a |
| the West Coast Railway Company. Olton Hall | | | | trip on Hogwarts Express is a grand day trip. |
| was built in 1937 in Swindon, and was one of | | | | However, many would like some photos of the |
| 330 locomotives created by designer Charles | | | | train while crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. |
| Collett. | | | | It crosses near the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre |
| | | | about 11:20 and 15:00, though times may vary |
| Although filming occurred in several locales, | | | | by several minutes, so plan ahead. The |
| the most memorable scenes were shot along the | | | | Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is just down the |
| route where the Jacobite Steam Train runs. In | | | | road from Fort William along the A830, and is |
| fact, the most notable scene was shot with | | | | readily accessible by bus or automobile. |
| the Hogwarts Express crossing the Glenfinnan | | | | |
| Viaduct, a few miles from Fort William. | | | | The Jacobite Steam Train journey is one of |
| Filming was done at King's Cross railway | | | | the finest in the world, despite its brief 84 |
| station, at North Yorkshire Moors Railway, on | | | | mile run. Its route is spectacular, passing |
| board the train itself, and most importantly | | | | many impressive sites in the region. These |
| crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. | | | | include Britain's tallest mountain Ben Nevis, |
| | | | its deepest freshwater Loch Morar, shortest |
| Glenfinnan Viaduct has 21 arches, follows a | | | | River Morar, deepest saltwater Loch Nevis, |
| curving path for 416 yards, and is 100 feet | | | | and most westerly railway station on the |
| high. At the time of construction, it was the | | | | mainland at Arisaig. Stations along the route |
| only concrete built viaduct the world had | | | | include: Banavie, Corpach, Loch Eil, |
| ever seen! Combining Harry Potter notoriety | | | | Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Beasdale, Arisaig, |
| with the incredible views of Glenfinnan | | | | Morar, and Mallaig. |
| Monument and Loch Shiel make the viaduct an | | | | |
| attraction all its own. | | | | Other scenic beauty along the way includes |
| | | | Inverlochy Castle, The Great Glen, Caledonian |
| The Hogwarts Express plays a key role in | | | | Canal and Neptune's Staircase. Then there's |
| Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In | | | | the view from Arisaig, where on a clear day, |
| it, Harry meets Hermione Granger and Ron | | | | one can see the small isles of Canna, Eigg, |
| Weasley, later to become his best friends, on | | | | Muck, and Rum, as well as portions of the |
| his first trip in the Hogwarts Express. Much | | | | Isle of Skye. There is always the possibility |
| like many British boarding schools prior to | | | | of seeing Morag, the lesser known sea |
| 1950, Harry is put on the private train at | | | | monster, which resides in Loch Morar |
| the beginning of the semester and met again | | | | according to legend (Nessie has always been |
| at the end of semester by his family (aunt | | | | more popular). Silver sandy beaches seen in |
| and uncle). Other notable characters having | | | | the movies Local Hero and Highlander are also |
| scenes on the train include Neville | | | | along this route. |
| Longbottom, Remus Lupin, Luna Lovegood, Draco | | | | |
| Malfoy, and Horace Slughorn. | | | | Although most widely known thanks to Harry |
| | | | Potter fame, the Jacobite Steam Train, or |
| The Jacobite Steam Train is part of the West | | | | Hogwarts Express is a wonderful adventure, |
| Highland Line or Iron Road to the Isles | | | | allowing travelers to explore and see many of |
| (Gaelic - Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean), which | | | | the finest sites in the Highlands of |
| runs from Glasgow to Mallaig, and itself | | | | Scotland. The journey begins in Fort William! |
| travels between Fort William and Mallaig | | | | |