The Warner Brothers Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, has announced it will unveil a 20,000sq ft (1,858sq m) expansion to include the original Hogwarts Express steam engine along with a recreation of Platform 9 3/4 .
Opening on 19 March, the new permanent addition to the studio tour will offer fans of the Potter franchise a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created, as well as allowing visitors to climb aboard and explore the train’s carriage.
The Hogwarts Express – formerly steam train 5792 ‘Olton Hall’ – was used in all of the Potter films and was featured in the very final scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione are grown up sending their children off to Hogwarts. The 78-year-old engine will return to its production home to be displayed on a set of tracks with steam billowing out of its chimney as visitors step onto the platform.
The platform’s glass roof, yellow brick walls and luggage racks have been designed by Oscar and BAFTA winning production designer Stuart Craig, with a team led by construction manager Paul Hayes to recreate the station as seen in the films.
"We can't wait to open our first expansion, Platform 9 ¾, just before the Studio Tour's third anniversary in March,” said Sarah Roots, vice president of Warner Bros Studio Tour London.
"The Hogwarts Express is the piece that visitors have most requested to see and we're expecting a fantastic response."
